National Rural Education Association

The May 2026 updates from our partners at CoSN are now available! Learn more: https://nrea.net/cosn-may-2026/

What does real school transformation look like—and how do you make it stick?

📢 Hear from PJ Caposey - Author and Consultant, one of the nation’s most recognized superintendents and a leading voice in continuous improvement. With firsthand experience leading a rural district to national recognition, PJ delivers practical, results-driven strategies grounded in what actually works.

Don’t miss his impactful keynote at NFARE 2026.

Learn more about the nation’s premier conference 👉 https://cvent.me/nLE24v

Join AASA, ASBO International and NREA for the Legislative Advocacy Conference! 🏛️ Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill and learn about the latest federal policy issues that will impact your district.

🗓️ July 7-9, 2026
📍 Washington, D.C.
🔗 https://www.aasa.org/professional-learning/event/2026/07/07/default-calendar/legislative-advocacy-conference

NREA Executive Director Dr. Melissa Sadorf and several of our National Rural Teachers of the Year are quoted in this article from DTN/The Progressive Farmer! Read more:

Rural Schools Fight to Keep Quality Education Alive Rural schools face declining enrollment, funding gaps and teacher shortages. But instead of buckling under the pressure, rural educators are rising to the occasion, meeting systemic challenges with innovative solutions.

Big ideas. Real strategies. Immediate impact.

📢 Excited to announce our opening keynote speaker, Thomas C Murray—a nationally recognized voice in educational innovation and future-ready learning. From the classroom to national policy, Tom brings real-world insight and practical strategies to help leaders build student-centered systems that work.

Walk away with actionable ideas to strengthen culture, elevate learning, and create systems that support every student—no matter your setting.

This is how we set the tone for NFARE 2026.

Learn more about the nation’s premier conference 👉 https://cvent.me/nLE24v

NREA Members: don't delay submitting your letter of nomination for the 2026 Hall of Fame Award! Nominations are due June 6, 2026. Learn more and submit today: https://nrea.net/2026-hall-of-fame/

NREA is proud to announce a new type of partnership with Legend People. LEGENDS Research will be the first NREA Rural Research Alliance Partner, and NREA is the inaugural Advocacy Association Ally for the LEGENDS Education Rural Rally Alliance.

This partnership is designed to advance rural education research and advocacy through active, mission-aligned collaboration. LEGENDS Research will guide NREA leadership through organizational planning, conduct research using the LEGENDS framework, and provide a custom decision-support tool, Kairos AI, for NREA leaders, NREA member organizations, and affiliated researchers.

NREA looks forward to this collaboration with LEGENDS Research to expand and deepen their rural research initiatives.

Learn more in the full press release: https://nrea.net/nrea-partners-with-legends-research/

Join us in one week for a one-hour session introducing a practical Political Leadership Framework that helps leaders navigate across self, local community, and broader policy contexts—and quickly move into application. Learn more and register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/H9D4eqJwQHugmqJ9nBhWcQ #/registration

NREA is offering a discounted registration rate for NREA Members to attend the 2026 ! New members joining now can also use the discount. 🎉 Register by July 19 to combine your discount with early bird pricing. Learn more and register here: https://cvent.me/nLE24v

Student mental health belongs to the whole district. The Strategic Allies Stronger Minds Summit is built on that belief, bringing together the full range of school and community leadership to do what no one role can do alone: build systems that actually hold.

Space is limited for this FREE learning experience! Learn more and register by June 1: https://www.aasa.org/professional-learning/event/2026/06/25/default-calendar/strategic-allies-stronger-minds-summit