The Kent State University Salem Campus once housed the Columbiana County Center for Rural Teaching, originally founded by Dr. James McConnell.  This center operated as a resource for area teachers that were living and working in the county.  The center served as a hub of information for area teachers by providing workshops and access to salient research in rural education.  Due to funding cuts and personnel changes, the center went into hiatus.  During the past two years, a small cohort of 14 graduate students began working together to rejuvenate the ideas of the original center.

Our goal was to create a new center, in a virtual environment, that can offer these services, as well as others, to educators throughout the area that are teaching in a rural/Appalachian environment.  Within this website, educators can find a variety of sources designed by rural teachers for rural teachers.  We encourage you to browse the site, use our resources, contribute to the site and join us in a professional dialogue as we attempt to connect rural educators in a meaningful and professional way.

Original Founding Members:

David M. Dees, Ph.D.

Kent State University Salem Campus

Kristin Bartlow            

Carrollton Exempted Village Schools

Donna Brown             

Carrollton Exempted Village Schools

Jody Burgett              

Carrollton Exempted Village Schools

Karen Curry               

Carrollton Exempted Village Schools

Kelly Gaines               

Beaver Local Schools

Lynn Hill                     

Crestview Local Schools

Sarah Jones

Emily Long

Buckeye On-line School for Success

Lori Maglione-Motry   

Beaver Local Schools

Sarah Motts               

Kent State University East Liverpool

Alice Poplin                

Carrollton Exempted Village Schools

Kathy Proya               

Martins Ferry Schools

Dody Shar

Betsy Walsh               

Sebring Local Schools