Literacy Teaching and Learning in Rural Communities: Problematizing Stereotypes, Challenging Myths

This definitive look at teaching English in rural secondary schools contests current definitions and discussions of rural education, examines their ideological and cultural foundations, and presents an alternative perspective that conceptualizes rural communities as diverse, unique, and conducive to pedagogical and personal growth in teaching and learning. Authentic narratives document individual teachers’ moments of struggle and success in learning to understand, value, and incorporate rural literacies and sensibilities into their curricula. The teachers‘ stories and the scholarly analysis of issues raised through them illuminate the unique challenges and rewards of teaching English in a rural school and offer helpful insights and knowledge for navigating the pedagogical landscape.

Lisa Schade Eckert is Associate Professor of English at Northern Michigan University, USA.

Janet Alsup is Professor of English Education at the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, Purdue University, USA.