The Office of Rural Promise is made up of multiple data-driven grant program initiatives that are evaluated annually to assess progress toward goals, objectives, and performance indicators. Research-based strategies are used to improve outcomes in all the districts we serve.
Publications
Recent publications from Office of Rural Promise staff
Dr. Rachel Nelson, Holly Weaver, Dr. James Beeler, Dr. Erin West, Sherry Paddie, Heather Childress, Dr. Katherine Chesnutt
This study explores teachers’ perceptions of their experiences participating in self-directed learning (SDL) (Knowles, 1970; 1975). The teacher participants (n=127) were guided through an SDL framework for professional learning and reflected on their experiences. Results indicate teachers reporting increased autonomy and personalization compared with traditional professional learning opportunities.
Corinne Smith, Dr. Ross Gosky, Dr. Jui-Teng Li
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between visits to college campuses by middle school and high school students and postsecondary enrollment rates, where campus visits are classified as both formal college visits and also informal campus visits. Specifically, Traditional Campus Visits and Educational Campus Field Trips are categorized as two distinct service types sponsored by the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant program in 11 rural, western North Carolina school districts.
Tyrel Winebarger
The authors of parts one and two of this opinion piece explore their work with MCs as a form of meeting PD requirements and offer advice to potential adopters on the utility of MCs for community college faculty.
Dr. Rachel Nelson
Our observations have allowed us to see first-hand that North Carolina educators and students are anything but “low-performing.” Having visited over 30 schools across 12 districts, our team witnessed much more than a dedication to provide North Carolina students with a “sound basic education.” The care and concern North Carolina’s educators have for their students was evident in every school we visited.
Rebeca Figueroa & Katie Hill
Created in collaboration with NCCEP’s Family Engagement Advisory Committee, Family Engagement Starter Kit for All provides helpful information to improve your family engagement efforts.
Holly Weaver, Sherry Paddie, Dr. Rachel Nelson, Dr. Rachel Shepherd
This a narrative chapter in a book that features the work of a Navigator and the role of ed research in teacher advocacy.
Recent Presentations
Presentations by Office of Rural Promise staff
Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Postsecondary Planning
John Fitzgerald, Courtney Gragg, and Lorena Calvillo
Advise NC Mid-Year Convening
A brief overview of the importance of belonging, how to deal with options and pivoting, an exploration in mindfulness techniques, and helpful resources.
Balancing Care and Candor: Feedback That Makes a Difference
Nancy Mangum and Theresa Gibson
RISE West
Do you find yourself having the same conversations over and over with no change? Are you struggling with giving good feedback to your teachers? Great leaders know that feedback isn’t just a task—it’s a game-changer. During this interactive session, you’ll dive into Radical Candor and learn how to deliver feedback that inspires trust and sparks growth. Come ready to connect, practice, and leave with powerful strategies to create a culture where teachers feel supported, challenged, and empowered to do their best work.
Tapestry of Belonging
Yolanda Adams and Brittany Brady
RISE WEST
An interactive presentation focused on the importance of a welcoming school and classroom environment through the sharing of personal experiences by the presenters.
Write Together: A Collaborative Model for Micro-credential Development
Heather Childress
Digital Credentials Summit 2026
In this presentation, which foregrounds PRIME, one of ETL's exploratory projects, I discuss how to lead a team of subject matter experts through a scaffolded research, writing, and peer review process to collaboratively develop competency-based micro-credentials mapped to educator development curriculum.
All About That Parent Interaction: Building Strong Family Engagement Practices for Student Success
Becka Dulaney, Rebeca Hernandez-Castellanos, & Beck Stout
Advise NC Mid-Year Convening
This presentation was a collaboration with other advisers across the state to speak about how to build relationships, empowering education, and how to effectively communicate with parents.
Mitigating the Impact of Trauma on K-12 students
Wes Calbreath
RISE West
Description of ACEs, how they disrupt executive functioning and how to reduce their impact on students
Building Foundational Literacy and AI Awareness for Younger Students (Grades K-5)
Nancy Mangum
Idaho Education Technology Association Conference
How can we prepare our youngest learners for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? In this session, participants will explore how to weave foundational AI awareness into core instruction for students in Grades K-5. You'll discover practical, age-appropriate strategies to strengthen traditional literacies—reading, writing, math, and media—by examining how AI tools work, without directly engaging with AI chatbots. This hands-on session will also give you time to play with engaging, non-digital, and digital resources that you can use.
Family Engagement 101
Yolanda Adams, Katie Hill, and Betty Paugh Ortiz
2026 National GEAR UP Academy
Family Engagement 101: Planning Impactful Family Engagement is a professional learning session designed for GEAR UP practitioners to strengthen meaningful, data-informed family engagement. The presentation explores how to conduct effective needs assessments, build trust and belonging with families, and align engagement strategies with grant goals. Participants learn practical tools for planning family-centered programming, using data to improve participation and outcomes, and fostering ongoing partnerships where families are viewed as collaborators in student success rather than recipients of services.
The Leader's Edge: Using Generative AI Tools to Support Your Work
Nancy Mangum
Idaho Education Technology Association Conference
Generative AI is reshaping the way we work, communicate, and lead. In this hands-on session, we will explore tools that simplify planning, enhance communication, and support instructional growth. We will share examples of how coaches and leaders are using AI to streamline their work. You’ll experiment with practical applications, exchange ideas with peers, and leave with ready-to-use AI tools to support your leadership.
The Art of GEAR UP Storytelling: Turning Inspiration Into Action
Elyssee Gibson & Fabiola McComb
National GEAR UP Academy 2026
Every GEAR UP program has a story worth telling—and how we tell it shapes how others understand our impact. In this showcase session, Elyssee Gibson from Appalachian State University and Fabiola McComb from the University of Oklahoma’s GEAR UP for LIFE will share creative and strategic approaches to storytelling that connect data, visuals, and personal experiences. Attendees will see how two programs bring their GEAR UP stories to life in ways that inspire action, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate student success.
Teachers as Navigators: Cultivating Self-Directed Learning in Post-Disaster Contexts Through the Innovation Cohort
Sherry Paddie
International Society for Self-Directed Learning (ISSDL) Symposium
The Innovation Cohort evolved from ETL which is the model used to empower teachers to implement SDL with K-12 students and reimagine classrooms where learning continues even without the teacher present; such as in the aftermath of a natural disaster or emergency.
Empowering Teacher Learning: Innovations for Educational Recovery and Equity through Micro-Credentialing in Rural NC
Heather Childress
North Carolina Association for Research in Education
Micro-credentialing offers a transformative approach to teacher development, especially in rural contexts, by circumventing geographic and financial constraints, increasing teacher agency, improving instructional practice, supporting culturally responsive teaching and differentiation for underserved populations, and advancing educational equity.
Taking Your Leadership to the Next Level
Nancy Mangum & Theresa Gibson
RISE West
This session will dive into scaling your influence as a leader. Participants will engage in self-reflection to uncover dynamics in their interactions with teachers, colleagues, and other leaders. Whether you're a veteran leader or are just getting started you will walk away with tangible strategies to use with the teachers whom you serve and a better understanding of your own strengths and areas for improvement.
Prior Presentations
Prior Presentations by ORP staff
Creating a Community of Mattering and Belonging
Rachel Nave-Lewis
BT Summit 2025/RTLN/RISE NC
Effective classroom communities are built beyond systems. Welcoming communities are centered in cultivating a culture where every student knows they matter and belong. Grounded in Mercurio’s work on mattering and Wheatley’s philosophies of systems and connectedness, this session reframes classroom management through the lens of community, empathy, and shared responsibility. Using the WE ALL MATTER HERE protocol as a guiding framework, participants will explore strategies to address behavioral challenges, support student mental health needs, and foster safe, positive, and engaging learning environments. Educators will engage in collaborative activities rooted in the ACT (Advancing Communities Together) approach to professional learning communities, experiencing firsthand how classroom culture shifts when teachers move from isolated responses to collective action.
Welcome to App State, GEAR UP, and Boone
Yolanda Adams
Dia Applachanes and Black Student Preview Day
As a Latina Leader in Watauga County, I'm honored to speak at the annual Dia Appalachians and Black Student Preview Day at Appalachian State University. I will be discussing the beauty of our cultures and heritages and how our roots can bring us boundless opportunities through App State, GEAR UP, and the community at large.
High Yield Strategies for Classroom Management in Challenging Settings
Wes Calbreath
App State Beginning Teacher Summit 2025
This presentation was for new teachers. It provided a system of strategies and principles that would establish a strong base for positive culture in the classroom as well an orderly environment.
Breaking Through Barriers
Corinne Smith
From Chaos to Community: A Retreat for Western NC Teachers from the National Paideia Center and the NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources
Using the simulation of breaking a board, the presenter demonstrates how a positive, empowering culture can be established in a classroom, and how it can help students overcome challenges to improve academic performance.
Exploring Teachers’ Initial Perceptions of Self-Directed Learning within a Teacher-Directed Professional Learning Program
Erin West, Holly Weaver, Sherry Thomas-Paddie, Heather Childress-Custer
International Society for Self-Directed Learning (ISSDL) Symposium
To better understand teachers’ perceptions of the teacher-directed professional learning framework, the ETL Team surveyed teachers at the end of the goal-creation process. These findings were included in the presentation at the ISSDL Symposium.
Empowering Teacher Leaders Through Micro-Credentialing
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Erin West, Dr. Rachel Nelson, Courtney Howlett
NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association
Three members of the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) team and a teacher participant from Mt. Airy High School presented to school administrators and district office staff from school districts across NC. They shared how the use of micro-credentials and self-directed learning empowers teachers to meet their professional growth goals and can enhance their leadership capacity, resulting in improved student performance.
The C.O.R.E. System - The C.O.R.E. System- A Comprehensive Web-based Resource for Improving Postsecondary Outcomes
Wes Calbreath & Adam Warren
NCCEP Annual Conference 2025 & North Carolina School Counselor Association Conference
At App State GEAR UP, we have built a virtual tool that encompasses all three components. We call it the C.O.R.E. system (College Options, Research, and Education). C.O.R.E is a website that contains strong practices, tools, and templates that guide student-facing professionals in their postsecondary work.
Beyond Service Delivery: Shifting Mindsets from Supportive Services to Systemic Change
Corinne Smith, Kelly Sparks, Cristina Mendez, Anna Moose
National GEAR UP Annual Conference 2023, San Francisco, CA
CAC Summit 2023
College Advising Corps
Geneva Watson
Against the Odds: My Journey to College
Assemble NC
College Advising Corps
Gloria Medina
Tools to Get You Started
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) National Conference
GEAR UP
Wes Calbreath, Mary Cothren, Jody Freeman
Mitigating the Impact of Trauma on the Postsecondary Process
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
GEAR UP
Doug Thompson, Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Corinne Smith, Dr. James Beeler
Rural Teachers' Job Satisfaction, Teaching Efficacy and Stress Predicted by School Climate and Social-Emotional Learning
NCSCA
GEAR UP
Wes Calbreath
Peer Mediation in Middle Schools
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Capacity Building Workshop
GEAR UP
Rebeca Figueroa (Co-presenters: Katie Hill and Cristal Sanchez)
Resource Round-Up: Family Engagement Starter Kit for All
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Annual Conference
GEAR UP
Jessica Stockham
Achieving STEM: An In House Model to STEM Implementation
NC adviser professional learning session
College Advising Corps
Shyheim Stafford
Family Engagement
NCARE (North Carolina Association of Research in Education)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Rachel Nelson, Tyler Tobin, Kameron Barlow, Janet Johnson
Providing Space: Using Video for Reflective Practice and Coaching
NC-CAC Adviser Webinar
College Advising Corps
Madison Armstrong
‘Promising Practices: Junior Engagement, Decision Day, and More! - Award Letter Review
CAC National Training - Promising Practices: GRACE Tactics
College Advising Corps
Allison Montgomery
Using Excel to Achieve Data-Driven Advising
The GEAR UP Guarantee: Making the College Application Process More Transparent for GEAR UP Students
Corinne Smith, Dr. Jui-Teng Li
NCCEP Annual Conference 2025
This presentation provided an overview of what the GEAR UP Guarantee is, how it got started, and the data representing the first 5 years plus a baseline comparison to show its success.
Campus Visits As Predictors of Postsecondary Enrollment
Corinne Smith, Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Dr. Ross Gosky
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP ) National GEAR UP Academy 2024
In this class, experienced GEAR UP researchers and evaluators will share research studies conducted in the GEAR UP community.
Integrating Student Success Standards into regular curriculum
Wes Calbreath
RISE West
This presentation focused on how to meet the tie the Student Success standards (School counseling curriculum) into regular classroom objectives.
Redesigning Algebra 1: Innovative Strategies for Inclusive and Engaging Math Instruction
Doug Thompson & Rachel Nave Lewis
NCCEP Annual Conference 2025
Presented research outcomes, processes and implementation of a research intervention specifically about MATH 1 RIPTIDE.
Counselors as Partners and Leaders
Wes Calbreath
App State Principal Fellows Summer Summit
This presentation focused on how to utilize the ASCA National Model to build counselors into school leaders and positively impact student achievement.
Creating a Counselor Network in Rural School Districts As A Way To Increase Counselor Leadership
Wes Calbreath, Doug Thompson
NCCEP National Conference
In rural counties low population density can mean only one high school serving a wide area. With only one high school in a district, the possibilities for collaboration are lacking. Additionally, high quality professional development for counselors may be priced out of reach.
Discussion Lab: Role of AI in Education
Doug Thompson
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP ) National GEAR UP Academy 2024
This session will include a walkthrough of AI functionalities and their impact on education, college access, and professional work. Discuss the benefits and challenges of AI in education, with a focus on STEM fields, and gain insights on using AI to enhance learning and teaching.
Discussion Lab: Engaging Whole Families
Yolanda Adams
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP ) National GEAR UP Academy 2024
When you think about family engagement, who comes to mind? Who are the family members you envision? In this conversation, we’ll explore ways to change our preconceptions about what a family is in our unique communities. As we redefine our vision of families and family engagement, we’ll revisit how we can serve whole families to support student success. Join us to share and learn from one another about how we can engage whole families.
National Forum to Advance Rural Education
GEAR UP, Rural Teacher Leader Network (RTLN) in partnership with the Forum and Leading Edge Learning
Meg Turner with Ashley Kazouh, Theresa Gibson and Nancy Mangum
Empowering Teacher Leaders to Support Rural Schools
Assemble NC
College Advising Corps
Geneva Watson
Advising Students with Lower Academics and Social Readiness
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
GEAR UP
Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Corinne Smith, Dr. James Beeler
The Impact of GEAR UP Program and Services on Rural Students’ Postsecondary Enrollment
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Janet Johnson, Holly Weaver, Tyler Tobin
Exploring the Relationship between Teacher Instruction and Teachers’ Perceptions of Themselves as Self-Directed Learners
Society of Research Administrators International (SRAi)
GEAR UP
Amanda Whittington
The Trifecta of Grants Management: Utilizing Pre-Award, Post-Award, and the Project to Create an Effective and Successful Grant
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Annual Conference
GEAR UP
Amanda Whittington
Exploration Lab: Navigating the GEAR UP Match and Q&A with ED
Education Innovation & Research Webinar
Empowering Teacher Learning
Dr. James Beeler, Katherine Chesnutt
Promoting Teacher Autonomy, Practice and Knowledge: Lessons Learned from Teacher-Directed Professional Learning Programs
North Carolina Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges
Empowering Teacher Learning
Tyrel Winebarger
Measuring Student Engagement in Statistics
AppCAC Adviser Training
Upward Bound
Aaron Gersonde
College Search: Making Informed Decisions
2022 Emerging Issues forum - Educational Attainment
College Access Partnerships
Dr. James Beeler
Strengthening K-12 Supports to Close Attainment Gaps
The Cost of Teaching: A Feminist Analysis of Teacher Experiences Earning Professional Learning Stipends
Dr. Erin West, Heather Childress, Janet Johnson
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference
The study applies a critical feminist lens for data analysis and explores how compensating teachers for their time and effort can enhance motivation and outcomes. Our work throws light on the profession as feminized and underpaid nature, and investigates the "cost of teaching" in terms of salary and professional respect
SEEDS: Planting SEEDS for DREAMS
Yolanda Adams & Karen Norris
Academic Innovation Conference 2025 & NCCEP Annual Conference 2025
In this engaging presentation, we explore how the transformative SEEDS Program equips students and their families with essential knowledge and resources to confidently navigate the U.S. educational system. Participants discover practical strategies for leveraging available resources to strengthen family engagement and advocacy in their child’s education. The SEEDS Program offers guidance on understanding academic pathways, accessing bilingual support, and connecting with community networks—empowering families to actively advocate for their children’s success.
Evaluating Research in Teacher-Directed Professional Learning with CLASS
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Dr. Jason Snyder, Tyrel Winebarger
CLASS InterAct 2025
In this presentation, the team discussed the use of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System in measuring the impacts of teacher-directed professional learning on middle-grade student and teacher outcomes.
Supporting Beginning Teachers in STEM Fields Through Self-Directed Learning (Lightning Talk)
Dr. Erin West and Dr. Rachel Shepherd
2024 Noyce Summit
Funding Innovation
Rachel Nave-Lewis
NWRESA Media Coordinator Conference
Wondering how you will fund that amazing passion project or idea to make your classroom, school, and community more engaging for all? This presentation explores the Appalachian GEAR UP “Academic Innovation Mini Grants”! In this session, you will gain an overview of the grant opportunity, see past winning projects, participate in hands-on learning, and receive all the resources necessary for this year’s grant cycle. Make your project or goal come to fruition, or get some ideas to put into place in your school. You will even receive tools to help you be more successful in writing other grants. It is time to leverage GEAR UP and make a difference in your classroom, school, and community!
Micro-Credentials: A Pathway to Enhanced Professional Learning
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Erin West, Dr. Rachel Nelson, Megan Gregory
NC School Boards Association
Three members of the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) team and a teacher participant from Starmount Middle School presented to school board members and district office staff from school districts across NC. They shared the role of micro-credentials in advancing teacher learning, with a focus on the NC Teacher Pathways document, and presented feedback from teacher participants from across WNC that shows the impact of this innovative approach to teacher professional learning.
Empowering Educators through Innovative Professional Development
Erin West, Sherrie Paddie, Janet Johnson, Dr. Jason Snyder
GEAR UP Academic Innovation Conference
School Leadership Ed.D. Curriculum Redesign: A Model for Continual Improvement
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Dr. Tierra Stark, Dr. Pamela Scott, Dr. Ginger Christian
International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership, San Antonio, TX
NCSCA State Conference
GEAR UP
Wes Calbreath
Making MTSS Work for Secondary School Counselors
Academic Innovation Conference
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Janet Johnson, Holly Weaver, Tyler Tobin
Empowering Teacher Learning Project
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) National Conference
GEAR UP
Doug Thompson, Rachel Nave-Lewis
Designing Family Engagement
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Janet Johnson, Holly Weaver, Tyler Tobin
Teachers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Teachers’ Perceptions of Themselves as Self-Directed Learners: An Exploratory Study
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Capacity Building Workshop
GEAR UP
Doug Thompson
STEM Toolbox
Appalachian State University Math Department Colloquium Series
Empowering Teacher Learning
Tyrel Winebarger
Empowering Teacher Learning
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
GEAR UP
Corinne Smith, Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Dr. James Beeler
The Impact of Appalachian GEAR UP ACT Learning Services on Students’ ACT Performance
North Carolina Association of Middle Level Educators (NCMLE)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Rachel Nelson, Katherine Chesnutt, Tyler Tobin, Kameron Barlow, Janet Johnson
Empowering Teacher Learning
College Advising Corps National Training
College Advising Corps
Phoebe Thompson
Promising Practices: GRACE Tactics
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Capacity Building Workshop
GEAR UP
Corinne Smith
Enhancing "E"valuation: Moving from Emerging to Established to Evolved
College Advising Corps Virtual Assembly 2022
College Advising Corps
Phoebe Thompson
The Price is Right: Reviewing Financial Aid Award Letters with Students & Families
Next Step Adviser Builds Community Through Service
Feb 2, 2026
As the Avery County Next Step Adviser, Fitz Fitzgerald is responsible for helping students make a plan for life after high school. He guides students ...
Appalachian GEAR UP Director Elected to NCCEP Board of Directors
Jan 9, 2026
Corinne Smith, director of Appalachian GEAR UP and deputy director of the Office of Rural Promise (ORP), has been elected to serve a three-year term o...
New L.E.A.D Cohort Kicks Off at Appalachian State
Dec 19, 2025
On Saturday, December 6, Appalachian GEAR UP hosted the first L.E.A.D. Gather-Connect for the second cohort of the program. Students from Ashe, W...