Dr. Ann Schulte Faculty, Education Department, California State University, Chico
Dr. Bernadette Walker-Gibbs Faculty, Deakin University, Australia
Dr. Schulte, an American, and Dr. Walker-Gibbs, an Australian, met when Dr. Schulte spent a year’s sabbatical in Australia. They connected around their shared profession in preparing student teachers to become educators in rural settings. They are each contributing to a book on teacher preparation for rural teaching because they believe there is a lack of research about preparing students for rural settings. The book will address the challenges faced in rural communities in attracting teachers who understand the complexities and opportunities of living and working in rural – and sometimes very remote and isolated – areas.