S02E11 - Rural Adaptation, STEM, and Preparing Non-traditional Students for College

In this episode of the rural voice, we interview Mike Hogg and Denise Yonts regarding rural education, technology, college preparedness, and adaption to the changing COVID world. We discuss utilizing school buses for creating a mobile STEM lab for virtual learning. We discuss how they have created programs to help first-generation and low-income high school students access college, including the social and adaptation skills needed to navigate college post-high school life. We also discussed how rural education in eastern Kentucky has adapted to meet the COVID challenge, particularly given the challenges of internet access by many students. With roughly 15% of students without internet access, they discussed using school buses as mobile hotspots where students could meet in churches or public buildings to complete coursework. Superintendent Yonts discussed the importance of trauma-informed training for teachers to meet the needs of students as they return from remote learning. Mike Hogg serves as the chief operating officer for Partners for Education. Hogg has more than 20 years of experience working in public school leadership positions in Appalachian school districts, including a superintendent, assistant superintendent, and principal. Denise Yonts is superintendent for Letcher County and began her career as an Instructional Assistant at WWE, working with special education students and Kindergarteners. She taught high school English at Whitesburg High School before becoming an Assistant Principal and principal. Following consolidation, she was an Assistant Principal, and then served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for our district. Thank you to WIN LEARNING for Sponsoring this Episode.