𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
In this powerful and deeply practical episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Jack Moles, Executive Director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) and one of the most respected rural education leaders in the Midwest.
Jack’s career spans the full arc of rural education—from classroom teacher and coach to principal, superintendent, and now statewide advocate. He led one of Nebraska’s most successful school consolidations and now works daily with rural superintendents navigating funding pressures, staffing shortages, legislative battles, and community trust.
Together, Jack and Dr. Sadorf explore what it truly takes to keep rural schools strong:
how to lead during consolidation, how to advocate at the Capitol, how to protect local control, and how to recruit and retain the next generation of educators—while never losing sight of the heart of rural communities.
This episode is packed with real-world leadership lessons, policy insight, and hope for the future of rural education.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬:
00:00 Introduction to the Rural Scoop
02:18 Meet Jack Moles: From Teacher to Executive Director
02:48 Jack's Journey Through Various Roles
05:13 Challenges and Decisions in Leadership
07:41 The Big Merger: Johnson County Central
14:33 Mentorship and Support for Superintendents
16:40 Navigating Nebraska's Legislative Landscape
20:49 Effective Testimony and Advocacy
25:37 Consolidation: Making It Work
27:41 Veteran Board Members and New Beginnings
28:39 Community Identity and School Consolidation
32:44 Addressing the Rural Teacher Shortage
39:01 Building Trust in Rural Communities
40:44 Navigating Controversies and Communication
44:25 Funding Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Schools
47:46 Future Initiatives and Mentorship
53:24 The Rural Advantage
55:25 Conclusion and Call to Action
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
This episode is a masterclass in rural leadership, advocacy, and heart.
Jack Moles reminds us that strong rural schools don’t happen by accident—they happen because of trust, communication, courageous leadership, and relentless advocacy for kids. From navigating consolidation with compassion to fighting for fair funding and building educator pipelines, Jack’s work shows what it means to lead with both head and heart.
As Dr. Melissa Sadorf emphasizes, the future of rural education depends on leaders who stay rooted in their communities while pushing boldly for opportunity. And this conversation proves that even in the face of financial pressure, enrollment decline, and policy battles, rural schools can—and do—thrive.