Archive for the ‘Youth’ Category

ReImagining a more creative rural educational system

February 9th, 2010

Yesterday I highlighted a video interview of Richard Florida on Big Think, emphasizing the movement of creative workers to careers in industries not usually associated with creative types. 

But the bulk of his message, which I left untouched yesterday, is that we need to reimagine our educational system.  You may listen (or re-listen) to the interview in the video below. 

 

 (video source:  “Reinventing the way Workers Learn,” Big Think

Florida’s emphasis on the lack of social skill training in education reminded me of the advice Jim Beddow offered college students when he was the President at Dakota Wesleyan University back in the 1980s and early 1990s.  He encouraged students to develop skills that enabled them to: 

Jim still offers this advice to young people, and has since added a forth key; learn to network (both in personal and online).  To support his advice, Jim often cites successful individuals who embody these skills.  Two things strike me about his list of examples.  First, a great many create success outside of their chosen field of academic study.  And second, these individuals are incredibly entrepreneurial and creative. 

As regular readers recognize, I’m a former high school teacher, and am often a critic of the educational system in our rural communities.  My primary grudge is that our current educational model was developed for the industrial economy, which means we trained them to be successful in urban communities with stronger industrial economies. 

In the video interview, Florida tells us that “nibbling around the edges” of the educational system won’t develop the types of change that our country needs to grow our economy.  I would agree. 

But what does that mean for our rural communities?  Do we have to wait until business and political leaders are ready to transform education?  I hope not.

Instead, I would call on rural educators to look within their classrooms, and figure out ways that they can teach these skills to their current students.  Not only will students benefit as individuals, but I think our rural communities will benefit as well.

 

Note:  Readers may be interested in  these additional video interviews of Richard Florida on Big Think

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

ReImagine Rural Education

November 6th, 2009

Lately we’ve been calling on rural communities to “reimagine” their futures by focusing on transformational strategies rather than those of revitalization.  In a recent post on the Daily Yonder, Timothy Collins reminded me that this can’t take place without “reimaging” the future of education in our rural communities.

Collins, the assistant director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, wrote his post titled “Speak your peace: Longer School Year, and Better,” in response to President Obama’s call for lengthening the number of days in the school year.  While recognizing that lengthening the school year should improve education, Collins sees a bigger opportunity: 

If we’re going to lengthen the school year, let’s talk about real changes that will not only improve student achievement, but also build rural communities capable of participating effectively in the new green economy.

Schools and communities getting better together?  Yes!

 

The Roots of the Miner County story are in education

In Miner County, SD we view the Miner County Cash Flow Study, conducted in 1996 by high school students, as the start of our transformational activities.  In this project, the students sought to reverse a decline in local purchasing by (1) studying local spending habits through a community survey, (2) sharing what they learned with community residents, and (3) challenging everyone to spend 10% more of their income locally in the upcoming year. 

It was the type of learning that doesn’t come from a textbook and definitely can’t be measured on a standardized test.  But equally important, it met two of the community needs:  it helped strengthen local businesses and increased tax revenues for the City of Howard.  In following year, residents increased local spending by approximately 40%. 

These and other place-based learning activities conducted in the school over the next few years strengthened the connection between the school and community. The work also played a key role in the Northwest Area Foundation selecting Miner County as their first partner in the Community Ventures program.

 

How can this be done?

Collins answers his call for change by producing a litany of outstanding ideas for connecting schools and communities.  It’s good stuff!  Not only do his ideas provide value to rural communities, but they also help build a bridge to the green economy and youth entrepreneurship. 

But how does one initiate the types of changes Collins advocates?  The following are a few thoughts I’d like to share. 

First, realize that no single person is going to accomplish change on this level by him or herself.  A superintendent or mayor can help lead the change.  But I think it requires deep conversation with the entire community. 

Second, find ways to prime the pump for conversation by making sure people are exposed to new ideas.  A good place to start would be with Collin’s ideas. Ask people to read and react to them.

Third, make sure young people are a part of the process.  Young people’s voices can produce powerful insights when adults treat them as partners. 

Whatever process is used, however, I think it’s important to remember that the essential question to focus on is “How do rural schools and communities get better together?” 

That’s Reimagining Rural Education. 

 

 Note:  The RLC is currently in the process of developing some free resources that help explain the Miner County Cash Flow Study.  Anyone interested in receiving the first one, titled the Miner County Cash Flow Study Resource Guide should sign up for it at the top of the sidebar.  Individuals who sign up will be notified as other resources are developed.

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

Getting the Right Start in Pepin, WI

October 15th, 2009

Early this week, I had the opportunity to pack my suitcase and head to Pepin, Wisconsin.  Lydia Gnos, the elementary school principal in Pepin, and I met at a conference almost 2 ½ years ago where I shared the story of Miner County’s transformation.  The story resonated with her, as it does with many people, and she had kept Miner County’s story in her back pocket as she explored starting a community dialogue project in Pepin. 

Monday was the official launch of the Pepin-Stockholm Community Dialogue Project, and I was privileged to be a part of that start.  Sharing how dialogue transformed our community is just one of the ways we can help rural communities as they begin to reimagine their rural places. 

I am excited for Pepin.  The people there care deeply about their community (as evidenced by a great turnout of the “Key Communicators”) and realize that talking and listening to each other about their future is the first step. 

The presentation slides from the presentation, in addition to narrative about key concepts, are below.

Building Community Through Dialogue
View more documents from Rural Learning Center.

I think there are a few concepts that stand out as I think about starting the hard work of a community dialogue project in Pepin.  They include:

Handprints.  As communities look to change their future, recognizing the individual and collective role of our actions is key.  Our actions got us where we are.  The good news?  If you can see how you impacted the current state of your community, you have the agency to change it!

Community Capitals.  Cornelia Flora and Jan Flora have described our communities are a series of buckets, or capitals.  If we just fill one, our boat will capsize.  We need to pay attention to each area, and make sure we measure how our decisions impact our whole community.  Strengthening social capital (through projects like the dialogue project in Pepin) is a necessary first step.  Learn more about the community capitals here.

Involve young people.  Youth are vital in the process of transforming a community for several reasons: they can say what needs to be said (and question why things are the way they are) and they are typically not hindered by the prospect change.  In addition, it is important to involve youth in meaningful work in the community before they leave if you hope they will return someday (creating attachment starts with giving them a purpose in the community). 

As for the folks in Pepin, keep me posted on how your dialogue is evolving.  These are the days that will define your future!

See more photos of my trip on Flickr here!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Community Development, Rural, Training and Events, Youth | Comments (0)

Are polar bears more important than rural communities?

September 18th, 2009

Let me begin by saying that I love polar bears and believe Americans need to alter their daily lives to help combat the global warming that is destroying the polar bear’s environment.

But it also seems to me that most Americans care little about the future of rural communities.  And apparently, I’m not alone. 

 

Hollowing out the Middle agrees

I’m still working my way through the recently released Hollowing out the Middle:  The Rural Brain Drain and What it Means for America, but I’m far enough along to offer a few thoughts.  (I also wrote about it back in April, before it was released.)

The authors open by asking the question that often troubles me:  “Why should we care about the future of small towns in the Heartland?”(p. ix)  They then offer a statement that inspired the above headline:

Though the small town claims an iconic place in the American psyche, we are considerably less alarmed by the emptying out of the prairie and plains towns than by the endangered status of the polar bear, an altogether more universally vulnerable symbol and one that our kids can easily comprehend and mourn the loss of.  (p. ix)

Unlike most books that begin with “whoa onto us” statements like the above, the authors quickly redirect the direct the energy of the book from blaming others to that of self-reflection. 

They close their preface by stating, “It is people’s actions that ultimately determine whether a place hollows out.” (p. xiv)

Yes! I agree.

 

We are responsible

Rural residents have as much responsibility for the future of their communities as free market economics or government policies.  We choose where we buy our groceries.  We choose how trashy or vibrant our communities look.  And we choose how our young people feel about their communities by what we tell them and how we invest in them. 

Unfortunately, little attention is ever directed at this last statement.  And that’s why this book is so important.

 

Just Do it!

So why do Americans today care so much for the polar bear and so little about rural communities?  I suspect it’s because some passionate individuals took notice of the polar bear’s plight and have attempted to do something about it.

I know that’s an oversimplification, but I’m confident our actions will speak loader than our words alone. 

Where should you begin?  I’d recommend purchasing Hollowing out the Middle and learning more about why young people are leaving the American Heartland.  And then, if you think it’s worthy, recommend it to a friend, and spark a conversation on the subject. (I’ve already purchased a copy for a friend at the Souuth Dakota Department of Education.)

It seems to me that as we take action (like Iroquois, SD is doing) and build a conversation, we will be successful at raising the awareness of the importance of Rural America.  Not only will our communities be stronger, but others will finally “get it” and understand our passion for rural. 

And who knows, maybe someday we’ll be as important as the polar bear.

 

Photo credit (top):  Oxfam International - Flickr.  (Let me be clear that I am in no way attempting to belittle those who seek to save the polar bear.  On the contrary, we can learn much from their passion.)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Community Development, Gen Y, In the News, Rural, Youth | Comments (2)

Don’t Ask, Don’t Care

September 9th, 2009

Have you asked a young person lately what they think of their community or what they’d like to change to make it a more attractive place for young people to live? 

If you haven’t, you are not alone.  According to a study of young people in rural northeast Nebraska, only 29% of the 1,833 students in the study responded that they had been asked questions of this nature.

That begs the question: if we don’t ask, does it mean we don’t care?

I don’t think so.  It’s my observation that rural residents care deeply about the future of their communities and recognize how important young people are to that future.  The problem is that we don’t know any better.

 

But not knowing is not an excuse!

That’s why I’ve been waiting impatiently to read Hollowing out the Middle, ever since I learned about it back in April.  The authors studied the “brain drain” issue in a rural town in Northeast Iowa, and concluded that rural residents play a significant role in driving young people away.   

The book, which was recently released, should arrive on my doorstep by Friday.  (Thank you Amazon.) Even though I’m sure it will offer insights into how we can better retain our young people, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that one of the first steps is to show young people that we care about them.  We may think that young people already know this, but when we don’t ask questions like “what do you want this place to be like?” they tend to forget. 

It may be a few weeks before I’m able to finish Hollowing out the Middle, and I’ll share my insights with you here.  What I haven’t shared with you yet, however, is that there’s more to the story about Nebraska’s youth. 

 

The Rest of the Story

What’s remarkable about the Nebraska youth study is that despite not being asked about the future of their rural communities, most still want to return.  According to the Nebraska Community Foundation (who helped fund the study along with The Connie Fund), 51% of those surveyed could see themselves living in the area in the future if career opportunities are available.  And only 12% felt that their rural community was too small.  (See page 6-7 of the Summer 2009 issue of the Nebraska Community Foundation’s newsletter). 

That news leaves me wondering what the results would be if we started asking young people what they want their communities to be like, and then made  them a part of the effort to achieve it. 

 

See also:  Omaha World Herald article titled “Neb. kids like hometowns.” 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Community Development, Gen Y, In the News, Rural, Youth | Comments (1)

Why does “Rural” matter?

September 2nd, 2009

In our part of the country, most rural communities have experienced 50-80 years of economic decline.  This decline often leads to feelings of despair and hopelessness. 

A Sense of Hope

At the Rural Learning Center (RLC), however, we have a sense of empowerment and hopefulness.  We base that optimism in part on the progress being made in Howard, South Dakota and surrounding Miner County, where our work began.

Two of the most compelling signs of that progress include the Howard municipal sales tax revenues and the construction of the second phase to the Rural Learning Center.

 

How did you get started in Miner County?

As Randy Parry, President of the RLC, indicates in the video below titled “How did you get started in Miner County?” our work began with high school students studying local sales tax trends. Seeking to make an impact, these students shared their learning with the citizens of Howard.  Their efforts as well as the innovative community development work that followed sparked an “invest in local” movement  resulting in significant business investment that translated into  record sales tax revenues.   (see image above)

Today, we are celebrating the groundbreaking for Phase II of the Rural Learning Center in Howard.  Dignitaries from around the country will be in attendance to help us celebrate and “reimagine” the possibilities for our rural places.

Why does Rural Matter?

But as we do, I think it is important that we reflect on why rural communities matter and why the Rural Learning Center is important to their futures. 

To help initiate that conversation, I’ve produced a short video in which I asked Rural Learning Center employees those very questions.  I hope it spurs you to reflect and share your thoughts on the subject.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Community Development, In the News, Rural, Youth | Comments (3)

Youth: Renewing the Countryside

August 18th, 2009

My roots as a high school teacher draw me towards seeing young people as a big part of the answer for the future for rural communities.  All too often, however, we celebrate young people who succeed in urban areas, while neglecting those who thrive in our own rural communities.  That’s why books such as Youth: Renewing the Countryside are so important. 

Produced in a partnership between Renewing the Countryside and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), the book highlights stories of entrepreneurial young people (under age 35) from all fifty states who are doing something special in their rural communities. 

Jan Joannides of Renewing the Countryside offers a more complete description of the book in the video below.

I picked up a copy of the book at the Midwest Rural Assembly, and quickly fell in love with it.  It’s the type of book that could inspire other young people to see a future for themselves in rural places.

That thought caused me to reflect on work in Howard High School (SD) in the mid-1990s.  Recognizing that young people know more about life in urban areas than in their own communities, we attempted to embed the study of place in our classes.  For instance, one exceptional teacher, Mary Stangohr, used the book Broken Heartland to help students understand how the changing face of agriculture was affecting their lives.  Powerful learning.

After reading Youth:  Renewing the Countryside, I’d recommend it to any innovative high school educator, seeking to inspire their students.  Just reading and discussing it in the classroom would be awesome.  But I could see teachers using it to inspire their students to produce a book of their own with stories from their community or region.  After all, as Jan highlights in the video, Youth was produced by young people.

But barriers, perceived and real, will make this unlikely.  The biggest barrier may very well be cost: where does a teacher find the money to buy books like this in times of ever tightening school budgets?

If you are a high school teacher and would like to engage your students in this type of project, I’d recommend that you make your desires known and then work to make it a reality.  My guess is that if you let enough people know about your desire to inspire young people, someone or some organization will eventually hear and agree with you that this is an important project.  It won’t be easy.  But being a part of the solution for your community will be well worth it.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, Gen Y, In the News, Rural, Youth | Comments (0)

Energize Clinton County props the RLC

August 7th, 2009

I’ve been overcommitted lately and just haven’t had much time to write.  Near the top of my writing “to do” list has been to pass along what I learned from a conversation I had last week with Mark Rembert of Energize Clinton County.  So when Energize CC propped the Rural Learning Center yesterday on their blog and Facebook page, I felt the need to make time for a post.

As readers may know, Energize Clinton County is a grassroots movement focused on reinventing the economy of Clinton County, Ohio aroundsustainable principles.  The effort is being led by two young guys, Mark Rembert and Taylor Stuckert. 

What impressed me most during my phone conversation with Mark last week was his belief that they are making an impact on how young people view their community.  Mark, who is in his mid-twenties, explained people of his generation (Gen Y) are entrepreneurial and want to be a part of something special.  Research backs that up. 

Mark went on to say that they are beginning to see the benefits of this attitudinal change — young people are coming back.  He didn’t offer any statistics to support this claim, and he really tried not to over-hype it.  But I sensed that Mark sincerely felt they have established a beachhead in the on-going battle against young people moving away from rural communities.

So what’s leading young people to change their attitudes about Clinton County if the county isn’t flush with jobs? 

I think there are two reasons:

First, guys like Mark and Taylor are out there talking to their friends about opportunities.  Opportunities to be involved in Energize CC, and opportunities to create their own businesses.  This is significant because Gen Y listens more to buzz generated by their friends than they do promotional websites. 

Second, they are communicating using tools and language that young people connect with. Yes, Mark and Taylor have a knack for being cool, and they are using social media to spread their message to people who live outside of Clinton County.  If rural communities want to keep their young people, they need learn this language and use these tools. 

This is where I think rural communities and organizations in our part of the Midwest need to stand up and pay attention to Energize Clinton County.  It’s also why I feel “the props” should really be going to them.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Community Development, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Gen Y, Leadership, Rural, Youth | Comments (0)

It takes a village

July 24th, 2009

We often hear that “it takes a village to raise a child.”  Here’s a concept map showing how various groups (called “clusters”) have an impact on the ability of a young person to move through school to a job.

The Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) of Chicago created the map to help people understand that the process of helping young people get quality jobs is more complex than just sending them to school.  The point the T/MC attempts to make on their website and blog is that each cluster needs volunteers and resources to meet the needs of young people in Chicago. I think it’s safe to say this is true in rural communities as well. 

As I reflect on the map, I can’t help but wonder if our rural communities are up to the challenge.  Are our villages strong enough to raise our children?

Note:  Thanks to Dan Bassill for making me aware of this work by posting a comment on the Smart Communities Blog. And I’d encourage readers to check out the innovative ways T/MC is using mapping software to solve problems within their community.

Tags: ,
Posted in Community Development, Community Engagement, Poverty Reduction, Quality of Life, Rural, Youth | Comments (0)

A millennial chooses rural

June 10th, 2009

Growing up in a rural community has deeply contributed to who I am today. So, to begin my blogging adventure, I have compiled a list of why I choose rural. I do not know how much I fit the mold of a stereotypical GenY, but I feel strongly drawn towards rural communities. As an aspiring rural educator, I am excited about rural schools and communities because of the unique opportunities for providing an exceptional education.

  1. Family. I grew up in Corsica, SD, (pop. 650). I will admit, I did not always have my heart set on returning to a small community; however, after living and going to school in Sioux Falls, I miss the atmosphere of a small town - where I knew my neighbors and where I could feel comfortable raising a family. Small towns center on families and community, an environment that is warm and inviting for me. I like being around family, even if it is not my own family.
  2. Safety. Rural communities generally have lower crime rates. Children are often seen riding bikes and walking around town without adults, especially in the summer. As a future parent, this is where I would want to raise a family.
  3. More than a job. In a rural community, a teacher is more than just a teacher. I can look forward to being an engaged community member, teacher, mentor, coach, etc. all in one.
  4. More than a school. Rural schools are the ideal setting to implement place-based education, which engages the often-disconnected youth and makes learning more meaningful and relevant. Teachers and students can investigate where they are from, how they got there, what living in their community means, and what their community could be.
  5. Collaboration. Rural teaching lends itself more towards collaboration, and teachers collaborate more often with other teachers and community resources, which creates meaningful learning experiences for students.
  6. Connectivity. In a rural place, the relationships between school and community are strong. As a teacher, I will be connected to my students’ families, local merchants, local events, etc. I will not be the only person teaching my students. They can and should learn from community members, parents, and other students as often as possible. Students can also teach their peers, teachers, parents, and others in the community.
  7. Belonging. I will have opportunities to affect the community in which I live. As a community member, I matter.

As an educator, I will be valuable and connected to the community; maybe that is why I want to live in a rural setting. As Barley & Beesley’s study published in the Journal of Research in Rural Education (2007) found, “smaller rural schools capitalize on the closer relationships among smaller faculties and the teachers’ connectedness to the community and personal investment in the school.” Having grown up in the rural school setting, I wholeheartedly agree.

As a rural teacher, I am excited about facilitating this type of community connection. Forming connections and relationships, especially between schools and community is an important aspect of rural life. Forming connections with others and having others reaching out to connect with me are two main elements I want from my surroundings (as do most Millennials). We desire a connection and a sense of purpose in our surroundings. I want and need to feel connected, engaged, and important to the community.

 Rural life is attractive to me, knowing I will be connected and needed. The issue, however, is how do communities attract others like me - GenY’s with post-secondary educations who are looking to contribute. It has to start with actively recruiting them with more than just “we have jobs.” It has to be “we need you!”

 

Further Reading:   “Saving a Community’s Heart: The Small Rural School” @ Education World 

Photo Credit:  Pick Sherbert Photography/Flickr

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Community Engagement, Gen Y, Rural, Rural Life, Youth | Comments (0)

« Older Entries