In this episode of *The Rural Voice*, Dr. Christopher Silver is joined by Dr. Bill Chapman, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, and Hailey Winkleman for a conversation about the National Rural Education Association’s first-ever annual report and what it reveals about the organization's future. Together, they discuss how the report brings together data, storytelling, design, member engagement, and strategic planning to offer a clear picture of where NREA has been, where it is now, and where it is headed. Hailey shares how the report was developed as a more accessible and visually engaging way to tell NREA’s story, while Dr. Chapman and Dr. Sadorf reflect on the organization’s renewed mission, vision, and five-year strategic priorities. The conversation also highlights expanded membership benefits, state affiliate partnerships, strategic partners, research opportunities, *The Rural Educator*, the *Why Rural Matters* report, the NREA Foundation, and the upcoming National Forum to Advance Rural Education in San Antonio. This episode offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at NREA’s work to strengthen rural schools and communities through advocacy, research, professional learning, and deeper national collaboration.
NREA 2026 Annual Report — this is the main link for the episode; NREA describes it as the organization’s first annual report.
NREA Homepage — general organizational landing page, mission, updates, and member information.
NREA Membership Information — useful since the episode discusses membership value, lifetime membership, institutional membership, and affiliate options.
National Forum to Advance Rural Education / NFAIR — registration and information for the October 19–21, 2026 conference in San Antonio.
Why Rural Matters 2025 — relevant because the episode discusses NREA’s research and national rural education data work.
The Rural Educator — NREA’s peer-reviewed research journal.
NREA State Affiliates — useful for listeners who want to connect at the state level.
NREA Foundation — connects to the episode’s discussion of awards, scholarships, and philanthropic support.