Arizona Rural Schools Association

Nominations for the 2026 Elsie Toles Award are open now! Self-nominations are welcome. Learn more and submit by May 4: www.azruralschools.org/news/elsie-t...

Don't delay - the call for presenters for the 2026 #ARSAcon ends on March 28! Learn more and apply now to present in Flagstaff this fall: forms.gle/4DPfuTzckKsH...

We are excited to continue the tradition of recognizing amazing rural educators at the ARSA Conference! 👏 Nominations are open now for the 2026 Teacher of the Year Award, and the winner will be announced at our conference in September. Learn more and submit by April 14: forms.gle/NKv2kdehGJNL...

ARSA is now seeking innovative sessions for our 2026 Conference! Learn more and apply by March 28: forms.gle/4DPfuTzckKsH...

Your rural story deserves a national stage 🎤

Share your research, insights & innovations at the 2026 #RuralEdForum in San Antonio.

📅 Oct 19–21
📝 Proposals due 3/27
🔗 cvent.me/nLE24v

Tag a #RuralEd leader who should apply 👇

Grant Opportunity - EPA Indoor Air Quality Assessment - National School Boards Association The National School Boards Association (NSBA) has partnered with the Go Green Initiative on an EPA-funded program to improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG's) in low-income and Tribal school districts throughout all fifty states and U.S. Territories.

Grant opportunity: ten (10) school districts will be chosen to receive on-the-ground technical assistance and up to $45,000 in grant funding and IAQ monitors to enact IAQ Management plans. Learn more and apply by Feb 27: nsba.org/resources/re...

This immersive 2-day academy prepares educators to implement & scale FarmBeats for Students in middle school science, agriculture, and computer science classrooms. No prior technical experience is required. Registration closes Feb 27: azsta.org/events/farmb...

Next week! Join us for the next ARSA Roundtable on February 24! Engage in meaningful dialogue with one of Arizona’s most respected education leaders, Superintendent David Verdugo. Learn more and register now: azruralschools.glueup.com/event/arsa-r...

What’s driving impact in rural schools right now? If you have insights, research, or success stories to share, NREA wants to hear from you! Join educators & leaders from across the country at the 2026 #RuralEdForum in San Antonio, October 19–21. Apply now: cvent.me/nLE24v

We are pleased to extend this invitation to you to join DHEDF other Educators at the launch of La Mesa, an early childhood education discussion group. Meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month starting on February 19. Learn more: bit.ly/4qxXLDb

Don't forget: Join us for the next ARSA Roundtable on February 24! Engage in meaningful dialogue with one of Arizona’s most respected education leaders, Superintendent David Verdugo. Learn more and register now: azruralschools.glueup.com/event/arsa-r...

Sharing a Rural AZ Story: Connie Hargis, Principal of Williams High School

Join us for the next ARSA Roundtable on February 24! Engage in meaningful dialogue with one of Arizona’s most respected education leaders, Superintendent David Verdugo. Learn more and register now: azruralschools.glueup.com/event/arsa-r...

Reminder, apply by Feb 20! The BWSI Saturday Program is a FREE educational initiative to engage high school students in STEM through immersive, project-based learning experiences: mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/bwsi_s...

ARSA is excited to share the amazing things happening in rural schools in our state. Have a story to share? A cool photo? Maybe a teacher shoutout? Whatever your Rural AZ Story, contact info@azruralschools.org so we can highlight you!

Waterford.org has secured grant funding to help you bring a no-cost summer or school year program to PreK-2nd grade learners! You can learn more in this webinar on February 3 at 9AM MT.

🔗 Register now: forms.gle/TDDSMTDPeuGJ...

Arizona Ranks #2 in "Why Rural Matters 2025" Report, Highlighting Urgent Needs for Rural Education | Arizona Rural Schools Association San Tan Valley, AZ - The National Rural Schools Association (NREA) recently released its Why Rural Matters 2025 report, a comprehensive analysis that examines the state of rural K-12 education across the United States. Originally developed by the Rural Schools and Community Trust, the report has provided valuable insights into rural education for over two decades, serving as a critical resource for policymakers, educators, and communities.

In case you missed it: Why Rural Matters 2025 offers an in-depth look at key trends and conditions impacting rural education. Arizona ranks 2nd in overall need for support - for the second consecutive report. Learn more: www.azruralschools.org/news/arizona...

Join the Center on Rural Innovation on Feb 11 for their 2026 State of Rural America: Trends Shaping What’s Next, a free, one-hour webinar that examines the data behind today’s rural economy and what it signals for the year ahead. Learn more and register: bit.ly/4a0iZUg

Aspen Education Youth Advisory Partners Application Join the Rising Generations Strategy Group The Aspen Education & Society Program is seeking exceptional young leaders (ages 18-24) to serve as Youth Advisory Partners (YAP) in the Rising Generations Strategy Group. This unique opportunity brings together approximately 30 national leaders from Military, Technology, Education, Civics, Policy, and Nonprofit sectors to shape the future of K-12 education. Unlike traditional youth advisory roles, YAP members serve as equal partners—not junior advisors—working alongside C-suite executives, military leaders, and senior policymakers. We're looking for individuals who bring lived experience in K-12 systems, strategic thinking abilities, cross-generational fluency, and leadership strengths that will contribute to high-level policy discussions and strategic decision-making. Ideal candidates demonstrate: Lived experience and educational context that provides authentic insight into K-12 systems Leadership aptitude with a track record of initiative and impact Reliability and follow-through in prior commitments Sound judgment and discretion with sensitive information Effective communication across diverse audiences and high-pressure settings Ability to navigate conflict and differing viewpoints productively Applications close on January 25, 2026 (11:59 PM). If you have any questions, please contact Omaer Naeem at omaer.naeem@aspeninstitute.org.

The Aspen Institute is now accepting applications for Youth Advisory Partners (ages 18–24) to join the Rising Generations Strategy Group. Apply here by January 25, 2026:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

CDW invites instructional & IT professionals to an immersive, full-day training designed to unlock the full capabilities and power of Gemini, Google’s AI solution. The AZ event is at Deer Valley Unified School District on January 27.

Register: web.cvent.com/event/deac7a...

View agenda:

Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day from ARSA!

Arizona Ranks #2 in "Why Rural Matters 2025" Report, Highlighting Urgent Needs for Rural Education | Arizona Rural Schools Association San Tan Valley, AZ - The National Rural Schools Association (NREA) recently released its Why Rural Matters 2025 report, a comprehensive analysis that examines the state of rural K-12 education across the United States. Originally developed by the Rural Schools and Community Trust, the report has provided valuable insights into rural education for over two decades, serving as a critical resource for policymakers, educators, and communities.

Why Rural Matters 2025 offers an in-depth look at key trends and conditions impacting rural education. Arizona ranks 2nd in overall need for support - for the second consecutive report. Learn more: www.azruralschools.org/news/arizona...

The BWSI Saturday Program is a FREE educational initiative to engage high school students in STEM through immersive, project-based learning experiences. The application for the Spring program is now open! Learn more and register by February 20: mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/bwsi_s...

The start of a new year brings some transitions for the ARSA Executive Board! Join us in welcoming new members and those who are serving in a new role on our board this year. 👏

Congratulations to the 2025 ASA Superintendent Award Recipients!

- ASA State Superintendent of the Year - David Verdugo
- All Arizona Superintendent Award (Small) - Daniel Erickson
- All Arizona Superintendent Award (Medium) - Brad Sale

Learn more: www.azruralschools.org/news/congrat...

Teacher Shoutout! Julie Penrod, who has been with Salome Elementary School since 1995, will be retiring at the end of this school year. We want to recognize and celebrate her retirement as well as the contributions she has made to the school over the years.

Help identify Legislative priorities for ARSA in the new year! ✔ Submit by December 31: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Congratulations to Salome Elementary student Aranza Frausto Castillo for being selected by the State Board of Education as one of their students of the month! She attended one of their board meetings to give a speech and receive an award.

Merry Christmas from the Arizona Rural Schools Association! 🎅

The Smithsonian Science Education Leadership Summit is a free, 3-day event to develop strategies to recruit and retain K-12 STEM teachers. The 2026 Summit will be held from March 27-29 in Philadelphia, PA. Learn more and register by January 5, 2026: ssec.si.edu/event/smiths...