2011 WiRSA Conference
Spring 2011: 3rd Annual Rural Schools Alliance Conference Recap
Feb, 17-18, 2011
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Michael Corbett
In his keynote address, he discussed the complexity of place-based education. Dr. Corbett currently serves as a professor at the School of Education at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada following a 19-year career as a public school teacher in Manitoba and Nova Scotia. His research focuses on the dynamic and ambivalent relationship between life in rural communities and the structures and processes of schooling.
Dr. William Draves
In a lively and entertaining presentation, Dr. Draves, futurist, discussed work, life and education in the 21st Century, especially noting trends that will impact rural schools.
Fall 2011: Mending Fences – Collaboration between Rural School Districts in Uncertain Times
Nov. 16-17, 2011
The default solution for struggling districts has been to consolidate with a neighboring district or dissolve and be divided up by contiguous districts. Neither option is attractive. Our conference will explore other options.
At this year’s conference we focus on solutions – specifically, ways to collaborate that can simultaneously keep districts viable and retain a high quality education.
Keynote Speakers:
Leah Lechleiter-Luke
English & Spanish Teacher, Mauston High School — Mauston, WI
Classroom Fellow, 2011-2012
U.S. Department of Education
Ms. Luke has been a rural Wisconsin educator for 20 years in the 2010 Wisconsin teacher of the year. Now she has been selected by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to participate in the 2011-2012 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship program of the department. This DOE program was created to give outstanding teachers on opportunity to learn about national policy issues in education and to contribute their expertise to those discussions.
John White
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Outreach
U.S. Department of Education
Mr. White is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Outreach within the Office of Communications and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education. Amongst other duties, he represents the Secretary of Education on the White House Rural Council.