Bridging the Divide: Community Knowledge and Rural Educators' Practices

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 1:45 pm - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Place, Community, and Equity: Engaging Schools, Families, and Universities in Rural Learning

Abstract

This qualitative study with rural Indiana middle school educators (teachers and administrators) explored how community knowledge shaped relationships among students, families, and the broader community. Guided by Critical Pedagogy of Place (Greenwood, 2019), it highlights the importance of local context, identity, and place in fostering educational connections. In resource-limited, isolated settings, leveraging community strengths promotes student success and authentic learning. The findings advocate for community-driven, empowerment-based approaches that value rural voices and assets, supporting more inclusive practices. Practical implications include recommendations for professional development and resource investments to strengthen rural schools. Aligning with the conference theme of Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures, the study emphasizes the role of local narratives in creating resilient, future-oriented education systems.

Author

• Stephanie Oudghiri Scherer, Purdue University