Welcome to the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance
The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA) was formed to help rural school districts address the unique issues that affect rural schools as they seek to achieve the highest quality education for every student. Our members include a cross section of educators, school board members, rural community members, business leaders and other concerned individuals who want a strong voice for rural schools. WiRSA is supported by the Wisconsin Cooperative Education Services Agency (CESA) districts, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, the UW System and rural school districts.
District Administrators and or HR personnel can complete this form to post a partial position or long term substitute position for posting on the WREA website. There is no cost for the posting, this is a service of WREA and WiRSA.
2018 WiRSA Conference
‘Rural Schools Matter’
October 29-30 at the Wilderness Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells
Conference Information and Registration
A conference for administrators, board members, teachers, CESA employees, higher education professionals, public library administrators, elected officials and citizens interested in rural school and community issues.
2017-2018 WiRSA Scholarship Winners
Sydney Herman
Region 1 // Mishicot High School Sydney will attend St. Norbert College with plans to major in biology. read more
Stephanie Peitersen
Region 4 // Oconto Falls High School Stephanie will attend UW-La Crosse where she will begin pursuing a career in the medical field to become a Physician’s Assistant. read more
Hailey Stefanik
Region 2 // Albany High School Lauren will be attending UW-Stevens Point to study Health Promotion and Wellness. read more
Emma Lawrence
At Large // Benton High School Emma will continue her education at UW-La Crosse where she plans to major in biology. read more
Athena Hiemstra
Region 3 // Turtle Lake High School Athena plans to pursue a career in Pediatrics and will study at UW-Madison. read more
2016-2017 WiRSA Scholarship
About the WiRSA Scholarship
In recognition of the tremendous efforts put forth by the Wisconsin’s rural schools to provide their students with quality education in an ever-changing environment, it is with pleasure that the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA) offers an annual scholarship program.
To qualify, participating schools must be current paid members of WiRSA.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to five graduated high school seniors. Each recipient will receive a one-time cash scholarship of $750 to be used by the student to help defray the costs of post-secondary education and related expenses. A written essay is required for the application that expands on the following information:
- the benefits of attending a rural school
- your college and career goals
- the value of growing up in a rural community and what personal values you have gained from your experience
Emily Omerink
Region 1: Teacher Education // Amherst High School Emily will attend UW Whitewater and plans to major in Art and English Education. read more
Casie McAllister
Region 4: Teacher Education // Merrill High School Casie will attend UW-River Falls where she will study Elementary Education. read more
Marissa Gerstner
Region 2: Teacher Education // Fort Atkinson High School Marissa will be attending Carroll University with plans to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. read more
Weston Morley
At Large: Teacher Education // Cuba City High School Weston will continue his education at UW-Eau Claire where he plans to major in Music Education. read more
Alycia Zickert
Region 3: Teacher Education // Neilsville High School Alycia plans to pursue a career in Special Education at UW-Stevens Point. read more
NEW in 2018
Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Teacher Education Scholarship
The scholarship will be awarded annually to one graduating high school senior from each of the four membership regions of Wisconsin as specified in the organization’s bylaws. An additional at-Large scholarship will be given to the next highest scoring applicant. Each recipient will receive a one-time cash scholarship of $750 to be used by the student to help defray the costs of post-secondary education and related expenses. A written essay is required for the application that expands on the following information:
- The benefits of attending a rural school.
- Why you are choosing the field of Teacher Education.
- The value of growing up in a rural community and what personal values you have gained from your experience.