In this special episode of The Rural Scoop, host Ty White interviews Rikkie Jensen, a Teacher of Distinction from Chino Valley, Arizona, during the ARSA Resilient Rural Conference. Rikkie shares her experiences growing up in Duncan, Arizona, and how her background in both rural and urban education shaped her commitment to rural schools. She reflects on the profound impact of her agriculture teacher, Mr. Downs, whose message of perseverance continues to inspire her. Rikkie also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and advocacy within rural education, encouraging educators to attend ARSA for the valuable connections and shared strategies that empower rural communities to work together toward positive change.
