Rural Teacher Leadership Network
GEAR UP in conjunction with the Public School Forum and Leading Edge Learning hosts the Rural Teacher Leader Network (RTLN). RTLN is a signature initiative of the NC Public School Forum’s Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, designed to elevate and empower teachers in rural communities. Building upon the success of the Rural Leaders Teacher Network East, this western cohort continues the statewide effort to develop educators as change agents who can lead from within their classrooms, schools, and communities.
Impactful Collaboration
The Appalachian State GEAR UP Partnership, serving seventeen counties across western North Carolina, plays a vital role in supporting this cohort by connecting teacher leadership to broader goals of postsecondary access and success. Through this collaboration, the cohort bridges the work of policy and practice – theory and application – ensuring that teachers are equipped to advocate for the needs of their communities while fostering meaningful, opportunity-rich learning environments for their students.
The 2025–2026 RTLN West Cohort will participate in a year-long, four-strand learning arc designed to cultivate opportunity, equity, and leadership within rural schools. Through the Opportunity and Access strand, participants will explore what it means to ensure every student has equal pathways to success. The Student-Centered Approaches strand will empower teachers to implement resilience-based practices that build awareness, engagement, and belonging while honoring the assets students bring to the classroom. Within the Policy strand, educators will deepen their understanding of how laws, funding, and governance shape rural education by examining state and federal legislation, conducting policy analysis, and developing actionable advocacy plans. Finally, the Teacher Leadership strand will support participants in defining their spheres of influence, leading professional learning in their districts, and building a connected network of educators committed to advancing opportunity and access for all rural students across western North Carolina.
2025-2026 Cohort
This year’s cohort includes educators representing districts across western North Carolina, including Ashe, Burke, Catawba, Clay, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties. Each member brings a unique perspective and commitment to rural education.
- Alicia Abernathy, Burke County Schools
- Danielle Barter, Clay County Schools
- Carly Borchelt, Jackson County Schools
- Jesse Carswell, Watauga County Schools
- Debra Cloer, Macon County Schools
- Tonya Denny, Ashe County Schools
- Laura Dunsworth, Macon County Schools
- Jessica Esposito, Catawba County Schools
- Jennifer Estes, Wilkes County Schools
- Keri Hemrick, Watauga County Schools
- Tara Hinkle, Wilkes County Schools
- Brooke Keling, Clay County Schools
- Brian Krause, McDowell County Schools
- Jason Lampert, Catawba County Schools
- Erin Leatherman, McDowell County Schools
- Anna Lowman, Burke County Schools
- Krystal Luce, Catawba County Schools
- Kristin Menickelli, Jackson County Schools
- Tosha Ramsey, McDowell County Schools
- Tara Robinson, Clay County Schools
- Mary Shomaker, McDowell County Schools
- Lindsey Stamey, Burke County Schools
- Sharon M. Strong, Burke County Schools
- Adrienne Stumb, Watauga County Schools
- Fransisca Thiery, Jackson County Schools
- Dacia Trethewey, Watauga County Schools
- Karen Walter, Catawba County Schools
- Dr. Rebekkah Watkins, Jackson County Schools
- Jamie Hickman Wilson, Watauga County Schools
- Chandler Woody, BurkeCounty Schools
- Susan Yergler, McDowellCounty Schools
