A new apprenticeship program in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is addressing the teacher shortage crisis by offering aspiring educators an affordable, hands-on pathway to licensure. Designed for individuals with bachelor’s degrees, the program combines classroom teaching experience, mentorship, and supplemental instruction to prepare participants for success. With a focus on community connection and practical training, this innovative approach is not only filling classrooms with qualified teachers but also strengthening rural schools and ensuring better outcomes for students.

As Vermont faces fiscal challenges, strategic investments in public education remain essential. Priorities include addressing teacher workforce shortages through expanded pathways and financial support, improving aging school facilities with state aid, and expanding the proven "Community Schools" model to enhance learning outcomes. These investments ensure safe, effective education and contribute to the long-term sustainability of rural schools and communities, fostering a thriving economy and vibrant future for Vermont.

The Vermont Rural Education Collaborative’s mission is to inspire school communities to learn, share, and thrive.  We advance our mission through the integrated pathways of innovation, advocacy and partnerships.  We strive to promote a positive culture across our collaborative and to maintain the ability to directly support a wide range of youth and adult programs.  Whereas our disposition, and initiatives, related to both innovation and advocacy are important, it is our established partnerships that provide VREC with the capacity to thrive.

If Vermont were a school, it would be a small school. Challenged by limited resources, absent an economy of scale and perceived lacking equity of opportunity when compared to other “schools.” Some would consider Vermont isolated, provincial, defining us as “rural” in a disparaging way, and dependent on external resources.