This group of K-State education majors sees a need for rural teachers — but also a solution
Monday, April 22, 2024
Todd Goodson, professor and interim dean of the College of Education, spoke with the newly-formed group of ED ASTRA education majors and discussed his experiences in rural education and the impact teachers can have in rural classrooms. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — A newly formed group of Kansas State University education majors from rural communities is taking the bull by the horns and addressing teacher supply by encouraging students from rural areas to return home after graduation and others to consider teaching in a rural district.
Inspired by the Kansas motto Ad Astra, the group is aptly named ED ASTRA, an acronym for Education Advocates Supporting Teachers in Rural Areas. ED ASTRA is sponsored by the Rural Education Center in the K-State College of Education.
According to the 2023 State of Kansas Economic Contribution Report, agriculture and agriculture-related sectors provide an estimated impact of $81 billion in output. Additionally, these sectors also support 253,614 jobs, or 13 percent of the state’s workforce.
The rural communities that support these sectors need well-trained and qualified educators to prepare students for post-secondary success, said Debbie Mercer, interim provost and executive vice president. Before stepping into the interim provost role, Mercer served as dean of the College of Education, having started her career in education as a library media specialist and later kindergarten teacher in a rural Kansas school district.
"Rural schools are not only powerhouses of learning — they also help drive the Kansas economy," Mercer said. "Kansas needs excellent teachers and school administrators so employers have the workforce they need to protect our economic base and to grow industrial opportunities across the state."
Officers of ED ASTRA are Zoe Rhodes, Girard, agricultural education major, first chair president; Eli Tinsley, Frontenac, secondary math, second chair president; and Kinzie Woodside, Gower, Missouri, and Shelby Starbuck, Fredonia, both elementary education majors and co-vice presidents.
Other officers are: Sidney Harris, elementary education, secretary, Maize; Jozie Kanode, Exeter, Nebraska, elementary education, and Abbigail Rakes, Clearwater, music education, co-treasurers; Brooklynn Davis, Derby, secondary biology, Grace Ferguson, Topeka, secondary social studies and psychology, and Marissa Cook, Abilene, secondary art, graphics/social media co-chairs; Yesmarie Oyola, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, modern languages, and Ella Pachta, Belleville, agricultural education, public outreach co-chairs; and Rachel Hood, Industry, Illinois, agricultural education, membership chair.
ED ASTRA held an ice cream social on April 16 outside of Bluemont Hall, and approximately 30 people attended. The group moved indoors where Todd Goodson, professor and interim dean of the College of Education, discussed his experiences with rural education and the impact dedicated teachers can make in rural classrooms.
Faculty advisors for ED ASTRA are Lori Goodson, assistant professor and assistant director of the Rural Education Center, and James Alberto, instructor, both with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education.
For more information about ED ASTRA, please email Lori Goodson at lagoodson@k-state.edu.
