Understanding Assets and Challenges of Rural Communities
Texas has the largest rural student population in the United States, with more than 1000 districts receiving a rural designation. Geographically isolated communities often have limited resource which can lead to challenges in staffing, advanced coursework offerings, and enrichment programs. Rural community can also face unique challenges with bussing and transportation, as well access to broadband and digital services. But rural schools are often situated in close-knit communities where schools foster strong and lasting relationships between educators, students, and families. Their small size can also allow for a more nimble and entrepreneurial approach that embraces regional collaboration with schools, employers and local government to meet educational goals. Join us for a conversation about the promise and peril of building the capacity of rural communities to support student success.
Dreama Gentry founded Partners for Rural Impact to ensure rural students have the opportunity to fulfill their educational aspirations, and the national dialogue around educational success includes rural voices. A first-generation college graduate from Appalachia, Gentry is an Annie E. Casey Children and Family Fellow and a Prichard Committee Equity Coalition member, among other honors.
Charlie Glover leads the foundation’s strategic direction, community partnerships, and investments throughout East Texas to fulfill the foundation’s mission of building thriving communities and reducing poverty across the region. Prior to joining the foundation, he served as Vice President of Grants at The Meadows Foundation, one of Texas’s largest statewide philanthropies, where he led strategic initiatives, grant processes, and evaluation efforts. Charlie’s career also includes roles as a senior fellow at Bellwether Education Partners, a cabinet member in Dallas ISD, and the founding executive director of Teach for America in Dallas-Fort Worth. He began his career as a middle school teacher in Durham, North Carolina.