TUCSON, AZ — The National Rural Education Association (NREA) is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Unlimited Instruction (UI), naming UI as its first Strategic Workforce & Staffing Partner. Under the agreement, UI becomes NREA’s exclusive endorsed provider of workforce and staffing solutions, reflecting a shared commitment to solving the educator shortages that disproportionately affect rural school districts nationwide.
Unlimited Instruction (UI), formerly University Instructors LLC, is a national K–12 services partner supporting school districts, charter networks, and state agencies. With 30+ years of experience, UI helps districts address staffing shortages, improve student outcomes, and maintain compliance through flexible, scalable solutions. Services include instructional staffing, high-impact tutoring, and special education and related services delivered in-person. As a fully managed provider, UI handles recruiting, credentialing, training, supervision, and program management to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.
The designation formalizes a year-round collaboration between the two organizations focused on rural educator recruitment, staffing pathways, and instructional capacity.
“Rural schools serve as anchors for their communities, and the educators within them deserve the same level of support as any other district in the country,” said Dr. James Lane, CEO of Unlimited Instruction. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment between NREA and Unlimited Instruction to ensure rural students have consistent access to the educators and services they need to thrive. We are honored that NREA has entrusted us as its exclusive Strategic Workforce & Staffing Partner and are proud to stand alongside them in this work.”
The partnership will include several joint initiatives over the coming months, including a Rural Workforce Virtual Summit this November, featuring district practitioners and moderated by NREA leadership, and UI’s participation in the National Forum to Advance Rural Education (NFARE) conference, October 19–21, where UI will lead a 45-minute breakout session on rural staffing and workforce pathways solutions.
“Rural schools are the heart of their communities, and ensuring our students have consistent access to qualified educators and critical support services is foundational to our mission,” said Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the NREA. “Unlimited Instruction brings decades of experience and a deep understanding of the unique staffing challenges rural districts face. We are thrilled to welcome them as our exclusive Strategic Workforce and Staffing Partner and look forward to the profound impact this collaboration will bring to our members.”
This partnership reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to ensuring rural students have equitable access to qualified educators and student support services, regardless of geography.
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The National Rural Education Association (NREA) was originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907. It is the oldest established national organization in the United States. As the trusted voice for rural education, the NREA advocates for every rural learner, educator, and community. The NREA envisions strong rural schools and communities where education is the catalyst for resilience, opportunity and success.
