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This session is part of AASA's Advancing Rural Education Cohort, a professional learning experience designed to support district leaders in rural communities across the country. During the cohort’s recent virtual session, Dr. Andy Mink, Founding Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Rural Initiative, explores how the Smithsonian is reimagining its role as a national resource, not just a destination. Drawing on a national rural needs-sensing study and independent research on the civic impact of local history education, Dr. Mink outlines practical ways rural schools and communities can access free Smithsonian expertise, curriculum, and programming without leaving home — and shares real examples of partnerships already underway across the country.

Speakers:

• Andy Mink, Founding Director, Smithsonian Rural Initiative, Smithsonian Institution
• Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director, National Rural Education Association
• Todd Dugan, Superintendent, Bunker Hill CUSD #8 (Ill.)
• Moderator: Valerie Truesdale, Senior Vice President, Leadership Network, AASA, Âܲ·AVÊÓƵ