Thank you so much to everyone who attended our first-ever AIRSS conference! We loved meeting everyone and discussing student career success. As a reminder, a recording and virtual materials will be available for registrants in the coming days. Thank you!

Thank you to our Prairie Career Advocate presenters and our student panel! #airsscon26

Excited to kick off the day with our keynote address from Christian Jackson! 🤖 #airsscon26

We are so excited to start our first conference today! 🧭 #airsscon26

Our event dream team has landed in Decatur! We can’t wait for the conference tomorrow! #airsscon26

Don't forget to nominate an amazing educator for our 2026 Rural Teacher of the Year Award! 🎉

Learn more and submit by April 30: airssedu.org/rtoy/
Get inspired by our 2025 Awardee, Dee Rose: airssedu.org/post/2025-rtoy/

Future Teachers HAMILTON, Ill. — Looking toward the future, Hamilton High School junior Dante Patch weighs the pros and cons of a career as a high school English teacher.

Thank you to WHIG for this feature about the Future Teachers' Club created through our CTE Education Career Pathway Grant! Learn more, and hear from AIRSS Program Director Lisa Litchfield about the program: www.whig.com/education/fu...

America at 250 High School Essay Competition A search for the next generation of Midwestern voices on US global engagement

The Chicago Council of Global Affairs is holding an essay competition to showcase Midwest high school students’ visions for America’s role in the world. This competition is open to any high school junior or senior residing in Illinois. Submit by April 26:

In case you missed it: Our seventh issue of the Prairie Career Advocate is now live! Read more about CTE programming at Effingham High School: airssedu.org/post/spring-...

2026 REAP Eligibility Sheet Available: Check For Your District Now - The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools AIRSS has continued to fight for the necessity of REAP funding at the federal level, and we remain committed to your students, staff, and schools by fighting further for the accuracy of this eligibility list.

The newest eligibility listing for REAP funding is available for review! The US Department of Education is requesting rural districts and rural education support organizations to review the data and immediately inform them of any errors. As you review this list, the two eligibility criteria, and the

Our in-person registration is closed, but you can still join us virtually and receive 3 PD hours! Register now for the first rural-focused education conference in Illinois: www.eventbrite.com/e/1972794820414

John Glasgow, Rural IL CTE Project Director, will be co-hosting a town hall with the IL Success Network on Monday, April 27th at 12pm. All are welcomed to join the conversation about fostering unity in rural areas to support student success. Register now: ilsuccessnetwork.org/fostering-un...

Know an amazing rural teacher? Submit them for our 2026 Rural Teacher of the Year Award! 🎉

Learn more and submit by April 30: airssedu.org/rtoy/
Get inspired by our 2025 Awardee, Dee Rose: airssedu.org/post/2025-rtoy/

Spring 2026 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate - The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools Bureau Valley CUSD #340: Investing in Rural Career Pathways

Our seventh issue of the Prairie Career Advocate is now live! Read more about CTE programming at Effingham High School: airssedu.org/post/spring-...

In case you missed it, we have extended our in-person registration to April 3! Secure your spot now for the first rural ed conference in Illinois: airsscon2026.eventbrite.com/

Reminder: Join leaders from rural Illinois schools on April 23 at 3:30pm to learn how they’ve built practical programs and workflows that support every student’s postsecondary success. Register now: app.livestorm.co/schoolinks/a...

Thank you for the high level of interest and engagement surrounding our first conference! Due to this excitement, we have extended our in-person registration to April 3. Secure your spot now: airsscon2026.eventbrite.com/

Regional Rural Future Teachers’ Club Continues Momentum with Second Spring Event - The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools The journey toward the classroom continued on March 10th as the Regional Rural Future Teachers’ Club held the second of its three scheduled spring events. Building on the energy of the January launch, students from our partner schools gathered once again to explore the diverse and rewarding world of education. The event was hosted by

The Regional Rural Future Teachers’ Club held the second of its three scheduled spring events. Students from our partner schools gathered to explore the diverse and rewarding world of education. Learn more: airssedu.org/post/regiona...

If you are attending our conference in-person, today is the LAST DAY to register! ⏱️ Earn PD hours, engage in a keynote and workshop with Christian Jackson, and network with other folks passionate about rural education. 🎉

Register by EOD March 31: airsscon2026.eventbrite.com

The recording is now available for our interactive webinar with the Learning Technology Center! See how physical computing prepares your students for a future driven by innovation. Watch now: youtu.be/9eyg1IPwW0U

Time is running out to register for our conference! ⏱️

🎙️ Keynote & Workshop with Christian Jackson
🧑‍🏫 CTE Teacher & Student Panel
🏅 Earn PD Hours (In-person or virtual)

Register by March 31 to secure your spot:
airsscon2026.eventbrite.com/

Our Director of Communications is on the ground in Washington for #NREAHillDay!

Only ONE WEEK left to register! ⏱️ Join us for our first conference in April to earn PD hours, engage in a keynote and workshop with Christian Jackson, and network with other folks passionate about rural education. 🎉

Register by March 31: airsscon2026.eventbrite.com

We all know a teacher that makes a difference in their rural community. Nominate that teacher for our 2026 Rural Teacher of the Year Award! Learn more and submit by April 30: airssedu.org/rtoy/

One week left to apply for the NEW Rural Innovation & Impact Showcase Competition! 🌾✨ Finalists will pitch live in San Antonio this October, and the winning initiative receives a $5,000 award to help scale your work. 💡📈 Apply by March 27: cvent.me/nLE24v

We can't wait to hear from Keynote Christian Jackson at our first conference! 🎉 Sign up by March 31 to secure your spot.

Learn more about Christian: christianjackson.me/
Register now: airsscon2026.eventbrite.com

Reminder: Join leaders from rural Illinois schools on April 23 at 3:30pm to learn how they’ve built practical programs and workflows that support every student’s postsecondary success. Register now: app.livestorm.co/schoolinks/a...

Only two weeks left to register for our first conference! Earn PD hours, engage in a keynote and workshop with Christian Jackson, and network with other folks passionate about rural education. 🎉

Register by March 31: airsscon2026.eventbrite.com

Last year, AIRSS started the Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year Program to recognize excellence in rural schools across the state. Now, it's time for year two! 🎉 We are excited to see your nominations for the 2026 Award. Learn more and submit by April 30: tally.so/r/obGRDX

In case you missed it, the newest CTE Report is now available! Learn more and check it out here: airssedu.org/post/feb-202...