National Rural Education Association Official Podcast

About National Rural Education Association Official Podcast

Welcome to the official podcast of the National Rural Education Association, called the Rural Voice. Co-Hosted by Drs. Melissa Sadorf, Bill Chapman, and Christopher F. Silver discuss the common themes and experiences faced by teachers, parents, and administrators in rural elementary and secondary education.

Publisher

Dr. Bill Chapman, Dr Melissa Sadorf

Category

education · education · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Feb 2020

Latest episode

11 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

98 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Sept 2026

   S0515 - Building an Inclusive Educator Mindset: An Interview with Dr. Chris Closson

   Dr. Chris Closson joins The Rural Voice to discuss his collaborative research with cohost Dr. Christopher F. Silver on how educators’ beliefs about disability and student potential shape inclusive classroom practices. Their study, “Investigating the Mindset of Educators Regarding Students with Disabilities,” introduces the Hierarchy for an Inclusive Mindset, a framework that moves from professional development and evidence-based practices toward personalization, collaboration, anti-ableism, and a focus on students’ capabilities. The conversation examines what this framework means for rural schools facing limited staffing, funding, and access to professional development. Dr. Closson explains how ongoing coaching, regional partnerships, technology, and strong relationships among schools, families, and communities can support meaningful inclusion. He also discusses plans to develop an assessment that educators can use for reflection and school leaders can use for identifying professional development needs.

2. 

   28 Aug 2026

   S05E14 - Rethinking Health Benefits for Rural Schools: An Interview with Brett Jennrich and Mark Gilmore of Apollo Health Insurance

   In this episode of The Rural Voice, the official podcast of the National Rural Education Association, hosts Dr. Bill Chapman, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, and Dr. Christopher Silver welcome Brett Jennrich and Mark Gilmore of Apollo Health Insurance. Brett serves as Apollo’s Director of Affinity Partnerships, while Mark is the company’s Chief Operating Officer. The conversation introduces Apollo’s new partnership with NREA and examines what it will offer rural school districts, educators, and their families. Brett and Mark describe Apollo’s development as a family-owned insurance brokerage and explain how the company’s personal connections to education helped shape its work with rural schools. The guests discuss the escalating cost of employee health insurance, limited healthcare networks, rural hospital closures, prescription costs, and the challenges districts face when insurance pools or consortiums become unstable. They also explain how Apollo works with districts through individual consultations, employee education, claims advocacy, year-round support, and customized insurance strategies. The discussion highlights several emerging approaches, including direct primary care, level-funded plans, self-funded plans, Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, and individual coverage options for spouses, children, substitute teachers, and other part-time employees. Brett and Mark share stories illustrating how personalized assistance can reduce family insurance costs, protect families during medical emergencies, and strengthen employee recruitment and retention. The episode concludes with information about Apollo and NREA’s upcoming educational opportunities, including monthly office hours, a September webinar, and Apollo’s participation in the National Forum to Advance Rural Education in San Antonio.

3. 

   23 Aug 2026

   S05E13 Why Context Matters: Global Lessons from Rural and Remote Education, An Interview with Jerry Johnson and Hobart Harmon

   In this episode of The Rural Voice, Bill Chapman and Christopher Silver speak with Dr. Jerry Johnson and Dr. Hobart Harmon, editors of the Handbook on Rural and Remote Education. The conversation examines the challenges rural schools share worldwide, the importance of understanding local context, and the strengths that rural communities bring to education. Johnson and Harmon discuss place-based education, collaborative leadership, school consolidation, community development, and opportunities for rural educators and researchers to learn from international colleagues. The Handbook on Rural and Remote Education brings together nearly 60 contributors across 32 chapters examining teaching, leadership, innovation, equity, rural development, and future research. Learn more about the book through ElgarOnline. Tourette Association of America sponsored this episode.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

54

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32