A Dual Enrollment Introduction to Education Course Model for Rural Schools

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Description

Learn how the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Education partners with rural high schools to support their efforts to “Grow Your Own” educators as rural districts look for creative ways to address local teacher shortages that seem to hit rural communities harder than others. The University provides an Introduction to Education course tailored to high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in education. Our model combines two live virtual sessions each week with classroom observations in the students’ home school districts. This session will describe our journey to developing K-12 partnerships, will offer an opportunity to other districts to partner with us in these efforts, and will show other institutions of higher learning how to meet similar needs in their communities. The creation of an engaging course curriculum alongside various pedagogical concerns will also be discussed, specifically as it relates to lessons learned in a virtual online learning environment using Zoom and Canvas.

PRESENTER: Tim Buttles - Director of the School of Education, UW-Platteville

Tim Buttles serves as director of the School of Education at UW-Platteville. Prior to joining UW-Platteville Tim taught in the Agricultural Education program at UW-River Falls. His teaching career began as a high school agriculture and biology teacher, FFA advisor, and Science Olympiad coach.

PRESENTER: Sarah Ploeckelman - PK-6 Principal, Riverdale School District

Entering her 21st year in education, Sarah Ploeckelman is the current PK-6 Principal of the Riverdale School District. Previously, Sarah worked for 19 years as a 6-12 Spanish educator, and served 5 of those years as the Riverdale School District College and Career Readiness Coordinator, as well as taught courses for UW Platteville at one of their branch campuses. In her roles as College and Career Readiness Coordinator and UW Platteville lecturer, Sarah worked with the School of Education to develop the Introduction to Education section with the high school student focus

PRESENTER: Austin Rickels - Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Austin Rickels is in his fourth year as an assistant professor in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. During the first three years, he has taught academic courses entitled Human Growth and Development, Pre-Student Teaching, and Sport Administration. He has also taught three variations of Intro to Education, including a dual enrollment section in Spring 2025. He is also the program coordinator for the Master of Science in Education: Educational Leadership program, which launched in May 2025. Finally, he has been a keynote speaker for many rural schools and teams across the tri-state area of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, presenting on various topics such as rural career exploration, positive education, sport psychology, and educational leadership.