MSTA member named 2025 Outstanding Rural Educator

Kirbyville third grade teacher Erin Dalager was named 2025 Outstanding Rural Educator by the Missouri Association of Rural Education (MARE).

Erin Dalager (left) receives an award for being named 2025 Outstanding Rural Educator. Photo courtesy of Erin Dalager.

How long have you been an educator?

"This is my 19th year as an educator. I have worked in Kirbyville for all 19 years."

What do you enjoy about working in a rural district?

"What I enjoy most about working in a rural district is the deep sense of connection with students, families, and colleagues. Our small class sizes allow me to truly know each of my students as individuals. I can tailor my instruction to meet their unique needs and celebrate their growth in ways that wouldn’t be possible in a larger setting. I also have the privilege of building strong relationships with their families, which creates trust and open communication. When we all work together toward the same goal, great things happen.

"Another reason I love working in a rural district is the camaraderie I enjoy with my colleagues. Because our district is small, we rely on one another and collaborate to make sure every need is met. Our district feels like more than just a place to work. It feels like family."

What is a challenge that you have had to overcome while working in a rural district?

"One of the challenges of working in a rural district is connecting students to the world beyond our small community. While being a tight-knit and supportive community has many positive aspects, our students often do not have the opportunity to learn about the wider world. One of my goals is to broaden their horizons through books, pictures, videos, and my own experiences. A favorite unit of mine is teaching the power of reading. In this unit, we explore how reading can impact learners in different cultures and circumstances, and how they overcome the various obstacles to achieve their learning goals. This unit opens my students' eyes to the diversity across a variety of cultures. It sparks deep and sometimes uncomfortable conversations, but I am honest and open with them about challenging topics, including war, poverty, and religion. With many of my students, these discussions may not happen outside our classroom. Expanding the worldview of the students in my classroom is one of the most rewarding parts of my teaching experience."

How important are public schools and a good education in rural communities like Kirbyville?

"Public schools and a quality education are vital to rural communities like Kirbyville. With a population of just over 200, Kirbyville is quite small. And still, our district spans more than 50 square miles and serves over 200 students. Because we have few gathering spaces, our school serves as the heart of the community. It is a place where families can come together. From family library nights to sporting events to student-led conferences, our school provides a safe, welcoming space where students and families can learn and connect.

"Our school board is deeply invested in both our students and the families we serve. The district takes great pride in hiring highly qualified teachers and providing classrooms with strong support. We collaborate closely with our board and administration, and our voices are heard and valued. These relationships make it possible for us to respond to student needs and to provide for our families when challenges arise.

"We are surrounded by larger districts and know there are opportunities they offer that we cannot. However, we provide something different: a sense of closeness and connection. In Kirbyville, we are not just students and parents and teachers and administrators. We are family. Here, every student is known, every achievement is celebrated, and every challenge is met together. Our rural district may be small, but it is deeply rooted in community. Public schools in rural areas don’t just educate, they provide a sense of belonging. I am proud to be a part of such a community."

How does it feel to be named Outstanding Rural Educator of the Year?

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named the Outstanding Rural Educator of the Year. It not only reflects my dedication to my school and community, but also the dedication of my students, colleagues, and administrators. It is not an award that can be achieved alone. 

"In a small district, teachers often wear many hats. We are coaches and committee leaders and department heads. Without large teams to collaborate with and rely upon, we depend on one another to accomplish the many tasks on our plates. 

"Despite and because of these challenges, the achievements are all the more meaningful. This award reminds me why I choose to stay in a small district and inspires me to continue finding new ways to connect with and serve the students in my classroom every day. I am proud to represent rural educators who teach in districts like Kirbyville. I know we are all making a difference in the lives of our students."