Archive for the ‘education’ Category

Rural Education: Get your questions ready

August 31st, 2011

As a former teacher turned rural economic development professional, I have some questions about education in rural schools. Top on my list is “Do rural schools have a responsibility to help build rural economies?” Today, I have an opportunity to pose that question in a Twitter chat to the U.S. Department of Education’s point person for rural outreach, John White. According to information on the ED.gov blog, here’s how it works. Deputy Assistant Secretary White will host the forum today between 3:00 – 3:30 EDT on Twitter. You can begin submitting your questions right now using the #EDRuralChat hashtag. Others have already started. In fact, I was pleased to see Dakota State University President Doug Knowlton ask:
#EDRuralChat How might partnerships with regional universities improve college access for students from rural settings?” (source)
From what I understand, White will begin addressing these questions at 3:00 EDT. I hope we also see some follow-up on the ED.gov blog because 140 characters simply doesn’t facilitate serious conversation. If you are looking for a little inspiration before participating, I highly encourage you to read Zach Wilson’s “Speak Your Piece: Rural Education Reform” blog post from yesterday’s Daily Yonder. It is one of the best succinct essays on rural education that I have read! And if you are looking for a crash course in how a “Twitter chat” works, here are some resources: Hope to see you there. Note: Thanks to John McChesneyl from the Rural West Initiative for making me aware of this opportunity. And yes, I learned about it from Twitter.

Tags:
Posted in Economic Development, education, Rural | Comments (4)

Who is your go-to source for rural education?

July 7th, 2011

Thanks to Alan Richard, the Director of Communications at Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), I’ve recently become a fan of the rural education blog posts at Education Week.  Written by Diette Courrege, the blog posts covers a range of education topics.   Her posts are quickly becoming my go-to source for information on rural education. A second source of information is the Daily Yonder.  My favorite author there on educational issues is Dr. Caitlin Howley.  She has a flare for social justice issues, and isn’t afraid to stand up for rural schools. On a more local level, I also follow the Rural School Partnership.  I appreciate how they regularly update their website with information on their efforts to connect philanthropy, scholarships for rural students, and place-based education in the Ozarks.  Their work serves as a source of inspiration.  Unfortunately, this is a short list.  It’s way too short for a person who professes that education is a key driver for the economic success of our rural communities.  And that’s where I hope you can help.  Where do you go for information on rural education?

Tags: , ,
Posted in Community Development, education, Rural | Comments (4)

Education: Recognizing the Connections

June 28th, 2011

At the Rural Learning Center we believe there is a connection between strong schools and strong rural communities. And that connection starts in the classroom. Just as every teacher should be able to answer why the subject they teach is important for their students to learn, we believe that every teacher should be able to identify how what they are teaching helps build a stronger rural community. Unfortunately, that’s not a question many teachers are prepared to answer. Last week, however, I learned of a school where the teachers and administration appear to understand the connections I reference above. Thanks to an article written in Education Week by Diette Courrege, I learned about the Walton Rural Life Center of Newton, KS (pop. 235).  (see "Rural School Relies On Agriculture, Attracts National Attention," Education Week blogs, June, 22, 2011.) With dwindling enrollment threatening closure, the school reinvented itself. They jumped head-first into project based learning and made agriculture the focus of the curriculum. Today, every class in the K-5 school uses agriculture as the backdrop for learning.

What does this mean?

When I was trained as a teacher, we were taught to rely heavily on a textbook and stay focused on our subject matter. Project based learning, however, takes a project or topic (in this case agriculture) and makes it the purpose for learning multiple subjects. Courrege pulls a great example from an article that originally appeared in the Wichita Eagle:
[Teacher Kathy] Murphy was the school's fifth-grade teacher last year when her class pulled off a salsa project. But it went far beyond just raising the ingredients — garlic, tomatoes and peppers — and selling them. In between, the students used math to map out a garden, kept production records, balanced a checkbook, developed a business plan, and learned how to combat an infestation of white flies and aphids that attacked their plants without using chemicals. They also made a PowerPoint presentation of their project to convince their principal to let them tap into the charter funds for start-up money. "They were doing everything with a purpose," Murphy said. "They were reading for a reason, researching ways to treat the plants.” "When there's a reason for learning, it really matters to them. They take ownership." (source: “Agriculture focus helps rural Kansas school,” Rick Plumlee, Jan. 4, 2011.)

And the results are

Since adopting this model, school personnel have noticed significant improvements with student achievement. Absences and discipline have dropped, and test scores place the school in the top 5% of schools in Kansas. Why the success? Teachers believe it’s because students are taking ownership of their education and are more motivated to learn. I bet there’s also a relationship between students having fun and seeing the relevancy of what they are studying.

How can this build stronger communities?

The school decided to use agriculture as the focus of their curriculum because agriculture has a strong economic impact within the community. While it’s a mistake to assume that a large percentage of these young people will enter the field of agriculture, I think that the curriculum will help students see a connection between what they are learning and the community where they live. And if they understand their community better, they will also be more likely to recognize opportunities that exist within the community and to develop a stronger appreciation for it. The Walton Rural Life School offers a great example of a school and community trying to grow stronger together. There are many other ways as well. But it starts with educators in the classroom who recognize that what and how they teach has an impact on the larger community that the school serves. We feel fortunate to have met many future teachers in our GoTeachSD program who are beginning to recognize these connections. Are you one of them?

Tags: , ,
Posted in Agriculture, Community Development, education, Rural, Youth | Comments (2)

Is creating a “college-going culture” the answer?

May 13th, 2011

Education and Economic Development in our rural communities are inexplicably linked.  I heard that message twice last week from two sources.  But the underlying messages from these sources were quite different.  Actually, I didn’t hear the first message.  I read about it on my cell phone as I travelled down the road to the Annual Conference of the Rural Schools Partnership in Thomasville, MOThe message was delivered by Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.  Both spoke at the National Summit on the Role of Education in Rural America, in Washington, DC.

What did Duncan and Vilsack say?

While emphasizing the importance of education to economic development, Duncan and Vilsack challenged rural communities to create a “college-going culture.”  Simply put, rural communities need to send more young people to college because rural businesses need a well-educated workforce to compete in the global economy.  Stronger rural businesses mean stronger rural economies.  I can’t argue with the idea that rural businesses need innovative owners and employees to grow thriving businesses.  But there’s something missing if the first part of the message is intended to mean that sending more young people to college will solve our economic problems.  After all, sending more young people to college does not mean they will return to rural communities to take jobs. Case in point, South Dakota.  I asked two superintendents of rural South Dakota schools what percentage of each graduating class goes on to college.  Typically, 75-90 percent of graduates go on to an institute of higher education.    Unfortunately, the vast majority of rural college graduates don’t return to rural communities.  Just sending them to college isn’t the answer.  There’s still a missing link.

The Rural School Partnership

The Rural School Partnership believes they have part of the answer.  They have connected philanthropy, scholarships for rural students, and place-based education as their platform for building stronger rural communities.  As stated earlier, I was in Thomasville, MO on Thursday, where Jim, Randy, and I participated in the Rural Schools Partnership’s Rendezvous.  Here again, a central message heard throughout the day was education and economic development are connected.  But the underlying message here was communities also have to do something to close the loop.  The Partnership originates with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.  They have created a scholarship fund for college students who are committed to teaching in the rural Ozarks. Once accepted into the program, these students receive $4000 a year for their junior and senior years.   The obvious intended result is that more talented teachers will build their careers in rural schools.  The program is in its infancy, so it’s too early to measure its success.  But through their focus on scholarships, place-based education, and philanthropy, I believe they are providing one of the missing links between education and economic development. 

What else is needed?

While scholarships for future teachers is a great start, it only a start.  In addition, rural communities need take action.  It is their responsibility to: create economic opportunities for people of all ages; create communities where people want to live; and develop better systems for supporting entrepreneurial graduates who want to return to a rural community to start a business.  And even in this last statement, we see additional connections between education and economic development.  The process of developing entrepreneurs needs to start in our K-12 educational system, with students learning creativity and problem solving skills. 

Are Duncan and Vilsack wrong?

I don’t want people to think that I disagree with the message we need to increase the percentages of young people going on to higher education following high school.  In fairness to Duncan and Vilsak, I'm probably just picking up on the soundbites.  But I’m afraid if sending more young people on to college is the only message, the effort won’t help rural communities in the slightest.  Instead, we’ll continue to grow the pipeline of talented young people leaving our communities.  And that’s a sure fire way to ensure continued decline in our rural places. Other articles describing Duncan and Vilsack's remarks:

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Economic Development, education, Rural | Comments (8)

Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription

December 15th, 2010

We need to spur entrepreneurship among young people in our rural communities.  That's the message I heard from Lori Hintz at BASEC Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription, , as she described why she has been involved with the Big Idea Contest.

Sponsored by Absolutely Aberdeen and the Small Business Development Center of Aberdeen, Zithromax (Azithromycin) trusted pharmacy reviews, Zithromax (Azithromycin) from canadian pharmacy, The Big Idea Contest calls on high school students to develop an idea for a business, and then offers cash and scholarships to those with the best ideas. 

The goal is to help young people develop their skills as entrepreneurs and to encourage them to think about creating those opportunities in South Dakota.  It's a statewide competition, fast shipping Zithromax (Azithromycin) , Zithromax (Azithromycin) gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release, and this year they had their highest participation to date with 148 contestants. 

 Lori's been involved in the contest as a judge since its inception four year ago. This year, Zithromax (Azithromycin) buy, Zithromax (Azithromycin) discount, however, she attempted to increase the number of students from the region BASEC serves who were participating.  It seems to have worked, buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) without a prescription. Buy cheap Zithromax (Azithromycin) , When this year's winners were recently announced, two students from a school in BASEC's region won the state competition.   

Way to go Lori!  And more importantly, delivered overnight Zithromax (Azithromycin) , Ordering Zithromax (Azithromycin) online, way to go students.

 

What did BASEC do?


Lori decided that their first step for increasing local participation was to hold a meeting with teachers  from schools in the region.  They came up with the idea of offering each school with participating students $300.  They also created a local contest.  This meant students with the highest scores in the region could win cash prizes, Zithromax (Azithromycin) in us, Online buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) without a prescription, whether they placed in the state competition or not.  Then they recognized these local winners at a ceremony in front of their classmates.  

No doubt this local contest played a role in the effort, but Lori pointed out that the teachers' made it happen.  Whenever teachers were able to incorporate the project into the classroom and provide inspiration, Zithromax (Azithromycin) from international pharmacy, Zithromax (Azithromycin) to buy, participation increased.  Students in our rural schools are so active in school activities  that it's difficult to find the time to do one more thing.  

That said, I think BASEC's effort to invest their time and energy into growing young entrepreneurs is very forward thinking.  It probably won't pay off in a new business this year within their communities.  But, real brand Zithromax (Azithromycin) online, Zithromax (Azithromycin) in canada, wouldn't it be great to see some of these students come back in the future and reward Lori by asking BASEC for a loan. 

 

Photo:  Cody Palmquist and Tory Mason from Dolan H.S. were the state winners at the state BIG Idea Contest, buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) online with no prescription. Zithromax (Azithromycin) in india. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) online cod. Sale Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Zithromax (Azithromycin) overseas. Zithromax (Azithromycin) price, coupon. Zithromax (Azithromycin) for sale. Where to buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Order Zithromax (Azithromycin) online overnight delivery no prescription. Buy generic Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Saturday delivery Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Zithromax (Azithromycin) tablets. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) from canada. Zithromax (Azithromycin) paypal. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) online without a prescription. Order Zithromax (Azithromycin) no prescription. Zithromax (Azithromycin) in australia. Zithromax (Azithromycin) craiglist. Order Zithromax (Azithromycin) online c.o.d. Purchase Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Next day Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) online no prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) from mexico. Zithromax (Azithromycin) in mexico. Cod online Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Buy cheap Zithromax (Azithromycin) no rx. Zithromax (Azithromycin) pills. Buying Zithromax (Azithromycin) online over the counter. Where to buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Order Zithromax (Azithromycin) from United States pharmacy. Free Zithromax (Azithromycin) samples. Rx free Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) without prescription. Where can i find Zithromax (Azithromycin) online. Over the counter Zithromax (Azithromycin) . Zithromax (Azithromycin) in usa. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) online without prescription. Zithromax (Azithromycin) in japan. Where can i buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) online. Zithromax (Azithromycin) to buy online. Where can i buy cheapest Zithromax (Azithromycin) online. Zithromax (Azithromycin) over the counter. Purchase Zithromax (Azithromycin) online. Zithromax (Azithromycin) medication. Zithromax (Azithromycin) in uk. Where can i order Zithromax (Azithromycin) without prescription. Buy no prescription Zithromax (Azithromycin) online. Zithromax (Azithromycin) prescriptions. Zithromax (Azithromycin) prices.

Similar posts: Buy Mirapex Without Prescription. Buy Coversyl online no prescription.
Trackbacks from: Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) Without Prescription. Sale Zithromax (Azithromycin) .

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Economic Development, education, Rural | Comments (0)

Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription

December 9th, 2010

Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription, I'm design challenged.  Nobody will ever mistake me for being the "cool kid" based on the clothes I wear.  Nor will anyone call me an up-and-coming Leonardo da Vinci for the things I create.  That said, I do recognize the importance of good design, and I think our rural communities could use a bit more of it.  That's part of the reason I'm so impressed with Studio H's design work in Bertie County, NC.

A little background


Design, online buying Clonazepam hcl, Buy Clonazepam no prescription, Build, Transform.  That sums up the mission Studio H has brought to Bertie County, order Clonazepam from mexican pharmacy, Purchase Clonazepam online no prescription, a poverty-stricken county in eastern North Carolina.  Led by Emily Pilloton and Matthew Miller, the project seeks to merge design principles with public education and rural community development, Clonazepam san diego. Clonazepam in australia, Currently, Studio H is transforming the curriculum of a shop class so that students are able to use design skills to build an open-air farmers market. 

To get a fuller description of the project, where can i find Clonazepam online, Where can i buy Clonazepam online, check out this TED video.

 

 

(note:  I included a short description of Studio H in a blog post last February after learning they were a part of the Pepsi Refresh Challenge.    

 

What I like


What first caught my attention about Studio H was not its focus on cool design. It was about place-based education and engaging young people within a rural community.  

I've been a fan of place-based education since being introduced to it by Paul Theobald's book Teaching the Commons, cod online Clonazepam, Clonazepam trusted pharmacy reviews, back in the mid-1990s.  Place-based education seeks to connect the educational process to the communities in which students live.  It often embodies a more hands-on approach to education that takes students out of the classroom and into the world around them, enabling students to address real-life issues.   In the case of Studio H, Clonazepam paypal, Purchase Clonazepam, students will help create a design asset for the community (a new farmers market) and inspire community members to eat healthier foods. 

I'm also attracted to the Studio H process because it seeks to inspire the students of Bertie County to be creative.  As more and more economic development professionals recognize the importance of entrepreneurship training as a means of growing a community's economy, we've started to see youth entrepreneurship programs emerge in schools. 

Too often, over the counter Clonazepam, Clonazepam craiglist, however, these entrepreneurship programs focus on business training and not problem solving or creativity.  While Studio H's effort in Bertie County is not an entrepreneurship program, Clonazepam from canadian pharmacy, Saturday delivery Clonazepam, it is providing students an opportunity to develop skills that all entrepreneurs need. 

Pilloton and Miller have a grand vision for Bertie County.  They hope their efforts will inspire a convergence of design, education and community development, buy Clonazepam no prescription, Buy Clonazepam online without prescription, leading to the transformation of the community, which they now call home.  I suspect it will take a long-sustained effort to achieve the success they hope to achieve, Clonazepam in japan, Delivered overnight Clonazepam, but it looks like they are off to a great start. Clonazepam overseas. Buy cheap Clonazepam no rx. Where can i order Clonazepam without prescription. Clonazepam in canada. Buying Clonazepam online over the counter. Clonazepam price, coupon. Buy Clonazepam from mexico. Buy Clonazepam without prescription. Buy Clonazepam online no prescription. Order Clonazepam online overnight delivery no prescription. Next day Clonazepam. Clonazepam in uk. Clonazepam medication. Clonazepam in usa. Clonazepam from international pharmacy. Clonazepam in mexico. Order Clonazepam online c.o.d. Clonazepam tablets. Order Clonazepam from United States pharmacy. Clonazepam for sale. Order Clonazepam from mexican pharmacy. Order Clonazepam no prescription. Clonazepam pills. Buy Clonazepam online without a prescription. Clonazepam discount. Buy Clonazepam without a prescription. Buy Clonazepam online cod. Clonazepam san diego. Online buying Clonazepam hcl. Clonazepam gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release. Free Clonazepam samples. Clonazepam prescriptions. Buy generic Clonazepam. Buy Clonazepam online with no prescription. Where can i buy cheapest Clonazepam online. Buy Clonazepam from canada. Ordering Clonazepam online. Where to buy Clonazepam. Rx free Clonazepam. Clonazepam in india. Clonazepam to buy.

Similar posts: Buy Cotrimoxazole Without Prescription. Buy Rifampicin cap. no prescription.
Trackbacks from: Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Buy Clonazepam Without Prescription. Delivered overnight Clonazepam.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Community Development, Community Engagement, Economic Development, education, Rural | Comments (15)

Buy Serax Without Prescription

October 4th, 2010

I've been on a bit of a kick lately about youth entrepreneurship training programs (read here and here Buy Serax Without Prescription, for my recent thoughts).  One of the arguments I've made is that young people need to hear from entrepreneurs who are living in rural communities.  With that in mind, I thought I would share the following video of Mary Stevenson, a former teacher who started a wine bar, restaurant, and art gallery in Baker City, OR (pop 9,860).

The video was produced by the Rural Economy Project, where to buy Serax, Serax medication, a partnership between several Oregon community development organizations and Oregon Public Broadcasting.  You can find  more stories about Oregon's rural entrepreneurs on their blog.

(watch video at bottom of this post)

While listening to Mary's interview, where can i find Serax online, Serax paypal, I was struck by the reasons she started a business in a rural community.  A short list includes:


As I think back to my time as a high school economics teacher, buy Serax without a prescription, Buy Serax from mexico, I wish I'd been able to connect to videos like this. I would have shown them to my students periodically because I think it could have helped young people begin to see entrepreneurship in a rural community as a realistic career option, buy cheap Serax. Saturday delivery Serax, What else do you think young people need to hear.

, buy generic Serax. Buy Serax online with no prescription. Serax in australia. Serax paypal. Delivered overnight Serax. Over the counter Serax. Free Serax samples. Purchase Serax online. Sale Serax. Where can i buy cheapest Serax online. Order Serax online c.o.d. Where can i buy Serax online. Where to buy Serax. Online buying Serax hcl. Serax prescriptions. Buy Serax without prescription. Where to buy Serax. Buying Serax online over the counter. Buy Serax online without prescription. Serax from canadian pharmacy. Order Serax from United States pharmacy. Serax to buy online. Serax craiglist. Buy Serax no prescription. Serax in india. Ordering Serax online. Serax trusted pharmacy reviews. Buy Serax from canada. Serax in usa. Purchase Serax online no prescription. Serax gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release. Real brand Serax online. Fast shipping Serax. Serax in mexico. Order Serax from mexican pharmacy. Serax tablets. Where can i find Serax online. Buy Serax online without a prescription. Where can i order Serax without prescription. Serax over the counter. Order Serax online overnight delivery no prescription. Buy no prescription Serax online. Serax for sale. Online buy Serax without a prescription. Serax in uk. Buy Serax online no prescription. Serax overseas. Order Serax no prescription. Serax in us. Serax prices. Serax buy. Serax from international pharmacy. Buy Serax without a prescription. Rx free Serax. Serax san diego. Next day Serax. Serax pills.

Similar posts: Buy Zyban Without Prescription. Online buy Advair without a prescription.
Trackbacks from: Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax Without Prescription. Buy Serax from canada.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Community Development, education, Rural | Comments (2)

Buy Crestor Without Prescription

September 2nd, 2010

Buy Crestor Without Prescription, Have you ever asked a young adult, "What does ‘rural' mean to you?"  Thanks to the GoTeach South Dakota program, I recently asked that question to a group of college students who have made the decision to teach in rural, high need schools in South Dakota.  To make the activity more interesting, I asked them to draw their thoughts on a map of South Dakota.  Their responses were very interesting.

What did they think?


The responses ranged from inventive to .., Crestor in uk. Crestor in japan, interesting.  One respondent drew a lawn mower, suggesting that rural meant "slower traffic" and that it was ok to drive a lawn mower down the street because it wouldn't be holding up traffic.  Another person drew a deer being shot by a stickman with a caption "Hello supper, buy cheap Crestor no rx, Order Crestor no prescription, " representing the opportunities of outdoor recreation offered by rural places.

There were some less flattering responses like, buy Crestor online cod, Crestor in canada, "I'm bored," and "there's no shopping." Other responses were more positive including, buy Crestor online no prescription, Order Crestor from mexican pharmacy, rural community are made up of close-knit families and unique small towns. 

The most common response showed the cities of Sioux Falls and Rapid City being crossed out, representing that the entire state was rural except for these two communities. 

Overall, buy no prescription Crestor online, Buy Crestor online with no prescription, I thought it was great to see the diversity in their responses.  I see elements of each of them in the rural communities I have lived in. 

A few more thoughts


As I returned to work following the event, a quote that has hung on my office wall for the last 5-6 years caught my attention.  It originates from a study published by the W.K, Crestor in india. Real brand Crestor online, Kellogg Foundation titled Perceptions of Rural America, and goes like this:
 This means that perceptions of rural America are centered on a series of dichotomies - rural life represents traditional American values, Crestor trusted pharmacy reviews, Where can i order Crestor without prescription, but is behind the times; rural life is more relaxed and slower than city life, but harder and more grueling; rural life is friendly, buy Crestor without a prescription, Crestor paypal, but intolerant of outsiders and difference; and rural life is richer in community life, but epitomized by individuals struggling independently to make ends meet, Crestor to buy. Crestor in mexico, Rural America offers a particular quality of life including serenity and aesthetic surroundings, and yet it is plagued by lack of opportunities, buy Crestor from mexico, Crestor price, coupon, including access to cultural activities."  (source:  Perceptions of Rural America, W.H, order Crestor from United States pharmacy. Buy Crestor online without prescription, Kellogg Foundation,  2002)

 

Dichotomies - both good and bad


I keep the phrase on my wall because it reminds me of the challenges of marketing and branding rural communities.  It reminds me that people react differently to phrases like "everyone knows each other in a small town."  For some it conjures up images of safety and familiarity; for other, fast shipping Crestor, Online buying Crestor hcl, it suggests small towns are like Peyton Place.  The reality is that there's a little of both in all rural communities. 

At the end of the session with the students, I offered two bits of advice:  (1) dig deeper into the stereotypes, Crestor in usa, Buy Crestor from canada,   both positive and negative, that we hear about rural communities, online buy Crestor without a prescription, Order Crestor online overnight delivery no prescription, and (2) reject the notion that all rural communities are the same.  I think that's advice we can all benefit from. 

 

Note: The GoTeach South Dakota program is a federally funded Teacher Quality Partnership grant aimed at increasing student achievement and developing high quality teachers for high need areas. The program includes comprehensive education, Crestor from international pharmacy, Crestor buy, training, support and professional development for teachers recruited to serve in qualifying school districts.

Photo Credit:  KTPUPP - Flickr, Crestor gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release. Rx free Crestor. Where can i find Crestor online. Crestor for sale. Where to buy Crestor. Buy cheap Crestor. Purchase Crestor. Buy Crestor online no prescription. Order Crestor from United States pharmacy. Crestor in india. Buy Crestor without a prescription. Order Crestor from mexican pharmacy. Crestor from canadian pharmacy. Where can i order Crestor without prescription. Ordering Crestor online. Buy Crestor without prescription. Order Crestor online c.o.d. Purchase Crestor online no prescription. Buy cheap Crestor no rx. Buying Crestor online over the counter. Cod online Crestor. Crestor in mexico. Next day Crestor. Crestor medication. Where can i buy Crestor online. Purchase Crestor online. Crestor to buy. Crestor pills. Buy Crestor online without a prescription. Buy Crestor online without prescription. Buy Crestor no prescription. Buy Crestor online with no prescription. Real brand Crestor online. Crestor in australia. Where can i find Crestor online.

Similar posts: Buy Meridia Without Prescription. Slimfast over the counter.
Trackbacks from: Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Buy Crestor Without Prescription. Saturday delivery Crestor.

Tags: ,
Posted in Community Development, education, Rural | Comments (2)

Buy Abilify Without Prescription

August 20th, 2010

If I were in charge of giving out awards at the Midwest Rural Assembly Buy Abilify Without Prescription, , I'd give Becky McCray the "Best Tweet" award.  While listening to Deb Marquart speak about the role of artists in communities, Becky tweeted:

"Grow more artists, not just corn and athletes. Artists are the ones who reimagine a place, order Abilify from United States pharmacy, Abilify overseas, help create the future. Deb Marquart #mra10"

And if I were able to give out a "Most Insightful" award, online buy Abilify without a prescription, Buying Abilify online over the counter, I'd give it to Deb Marquart.  I've been thinking about the role of the arts as an economic development strategy lately, but Marquart tuned me onto another potential impact artists can make.  We need artists to help us solve the significant problems facing rural communities.

Marquart described artists as problem solvers, where can i buy Abilify online, Abilify san diego, with a gift for looking at the world differently than the rest of us.  We need artists to bring those problem solving skills and perspective to the table as we deal with the economic and social challenges confronting our rural communities.  It's key to helping us reimagine our futures. 

There was a lot of wisdom in Marquart's words, so I attempted to recapture some of it in a short interview following her presentation.  You can watch that video below, buy Abilify without a prescription. Buy generic Abilify,  

(Source:  "Deb Marquart on Why Rural Communities need Artists, Abilify in us, Abilify in uk, " Youtube, Rural Learning Center, Abilify pills, Abilify discount, Aug. 16, order Abilify from mexican pharmacy, Delivered overnight Abilify, 2010)

I think Marquart is right in her assessment of artists, especially if it includes a wide definition of the term.  Sadly, Abilify price, coupon, Abilify from canadian pharmacy, our communities don't include artists enough in our community work.  Even worse, we make little effort to cultivate their development in our schools and communities. 

Later in the day, next day Abilify, Order Abilify online c.o.d, I participated in a discussion about the importance of teaching entrepreneurship to young people.  It was at that moment that I began to think about potential connections between artists and entrepreneurs.

Similar to the way Marquart views artists, over the counter Abilify, Buy Abilify online with no prescription, I've always looked at entrepreneurs as problem solvers; they see an economic problem and attempt to find a business solution.  It's got me thinking there's a connection between teaching art and teaching entrepreneurship.  Perhaps programs and classes that cultivate artists could help grow more entrepreneurs, and vice-versa. 

Whether it's artists, Abilify tablets, Buy cheap Abilify no rx, entrepreneurs, or someone else, where can i buy cheapest Abilify online, Abilify to buy, we need to harness the energy and skills of people who bring a different perspective to the table and are good at overcoming obstacles.  Our reimagined future depends on it. Abilify in australia. Free Abilify samples. Buy Abilify no prescription. Purchase Abilify online. Abilify in mexico. Ordering Abilify online. Fast shipping Abilify. Abilify trusted pharmacy reviews. Rx free Abilify. Abilify paypal. Abilify craiglist. Abilify medication. Purchase Abilify online no prescription. Order Abilify online overnight delivery no prescription. Abilify prescriptions. Where to buy Abilify. Buy Abilify online cod. Abilify gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release. Abilify prices. Buy Abilify from mexico. Abilify in usa. Online buying Abilify hcl. Buy Abilify online without prescription. Where can i order Abilify without prescription. Abilify in canada. Where to buy Abilify. Where can i order Abilify without prescription. Saturday delivery Abilify. Abilify pills. Over the counter Abilify. Abilify craiglist. Sale Abilify. Real brand Abilify online. Buy Abilify online with no prescription. Abilify san diego. Buy Abilify online without a prescription. Abilify from international pharmacy. Abilify overseas. Abilify discount.

Similar posts: Buy Precose Without Prescription. Picrolax trusted pharmacy reviews.
Trackbacks from: Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify Without Prescription. Buy Abilify without a prescription.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, education, Rural | Comments (2)

Buy Neem Without Prescription

August 13th, 2010

I'll be attending the Midwest Rural Assembly Buy Neem Without Prescription, next Monday.  One of the aspects of the Assembly that I appreciate most is that in addition to the policy talk, it's a great opportunity talk with rural leaders from around the Midwest.  This year, I'm particularly interested in learning about communities that are successfully addressing the issue often referred to as "brain drain."  

By now, most everyone has heard about "brain drain." Miner County, SD is a classic example of the phenomena:  for decades now, young people have graduated from high school, left for college, and settled in cities where opportunities appear to be more abundant. 

The phrase captures our attention today more than ever before because rural communities appear to be losing their "best and brightest" at a time when economists are recognizing the importance of "human capital" as a driver of economic development. 

But as Ben Winchester, a research fellow for University of Minnesota Extension , has noted this is only part of the story.  Many rural communities are experiencing a "brain gain" as people age 30 to 49 begin to move back to rural communities to raise families.    (source: "Rural Migration: The Brain Gain of Newcomers," Ben Winchester)

We need to be intentional


I find Winchester's research significant because this trend is occurring without most people knowing it.  Just think of the results if more communities decided to be intentional and work at attracting new residents.  I'm already aware of numerous efforts of this nature. For instance:

Clinton County, Neem paypal, Buy generic Neem, Ohio appears to be doing a nice of changing their community brand as a way of attracting young people. They've created the Clinton County Fellows program and are challenging young people to come back and do something special in their hometown, online buy Neem without a prescription. Over the counter Neem, I've also been very impressed with the work of the Next Generation initiative of the Gogebic Range of Iron County, Wisconsin and Gogebic County, where can i order Neem without prescription, Purchase Neem online no prescription, Michigan.  They've developed a four pronged approach that includes youth retention, new resident attraction and new resident retention.  

While these Midwestern projects deserve attention as "bright spots, Neem medication, Neem craiglist, " I'm also interested in efforts further west as well.  My friends at the Strom Center have identified some good work in the oil country of North Dakota, and I just learned of another effort emerging out of the Upper Minnesota Regional Development Commission.  I'll dig into these bright spots in the future. 

Look me up at the MRA


As I stated earlier, order Neem from mexican pharmacy, Buy Neem online with no prescription, I'm hoping other people attending the Midwest Rural Assembly share my interest in the subject and will look me up.  I've even included a profile picture in case we haven't met. 

If we don't meet before hand, I think there's an opportunity Monday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 for us to get together as well.  If I understand the agenda correctly, Neem for sale, Neem san diego, the session is intended as an opportunity for people to gather around topics of interest, identify what is working well, Neem from international pharmacy, Order Neem online c.o.d, and then talk about policies that need further attention.  I intend to stand up and identify my interest in "people attraction and retention."  If enough people are interested, I'm sure we'll generate some good discussion, where to buy Neem. Neem discount, I'm really looking forward to the event, and I hope you are as well. 

Note: I'll be Tweeting (@Michael_Knutson) using the #MRA10 hashtag, saturday delivery Neem, Buy Neem online without prescription, and hopefully blogging from the event on Reimagine Rural. Neem in uk. Neem price, coupon. Buy cheap Neem no rx. Neem overseas. Buy Neem from canada. Neem gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release. Neem in japan. Neem from canadian pharmacy. Neem prescriptions. Sale Neem. Neem in canada. Online buying Neem hcl. Order Neem from United States pharmacy. Purchase Neem online. Neem in australia. Where to buy Neem. Buy cheap Neem. Neem to buy online. Buy Neem online no prescription. Buy Neem no prescription. Buy no prescription Neem online. Buy Neem without a prescription. Neem in us. Where can i buy cheapest Neem online. Neem prices. Buy Neem online cod. Neem in india. Fast shipping Neem. Buying Neem online over the counter. Purchase Neem. Order Neem no prescription. Rx free Neem. Buy Neem from mexico. Next day Neem. Neem in usa. Buy Neem without prescription. Real brand Neem online. Order Neem online overnight delivery no prescription. Buy Neem online without a prescription. Delivered overnight Neem. Neem buy. Neem in mexico. Real brand Neem online. Saturday delivery Neem. Buy Neem without prescription. Buy Neem online no prescription. Cod online Neem.

Similar posts: Buy Zyvox Without Prescription. Next day Minocycline.
Trackbacks from: Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Buy Neem Without Prescription. Real brand Neem online.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, education, Rural | Comments (0)