Term of Award
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies (Ed.D.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (restricted to Georgia Southern)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
College of Education
Committee Chair
Peggy Shannon-Baker
Committee Member 1
Ming Fang He
Committee Member 2
John Weaver
Committee Member 3
Beverly A. King Miller
Abstract
This study is a memoir-based inquiry that explores my experiences as a rural STEM educator, exploring the following question: How do my experiences as a rural STEM teacher showcase the challenges and rewards of teaching in a STEM program in a rural setting? Through the lens of critical geography (Corbett, 2014; Green & Letts, 2007; Harvey, 2001; Helfenbein, 2015; Massey, 1994; Reynolds, 2013, 2014; Soja, 2010; Wozolek, 2020) and memoir (Butler, 2005; Conroy, 2009; Davis, 2023; Doherty, 2021; He, 2003; Karr, 2005, 2016; McCourt, 2005; Shannon-Baker, 2021; Whitlock, 2017; Williams, 1995), I reflect on my experiences to become a teacher and my years of teaching STEM in a rural high school and a rural middle school.
Six meanings were discovered from my inquiry: (1) The theme of place is emphasized by examining how living, teacher, and learning in rural areas shape experiences, identities, and opportunities. (2) Teaching in rural areas can be an advantage, offering unique opportunities for fostering close relationships, creativity, and a strong sense of community. (3) The power of teaching in rural areas is shaped by resourcefulness, as rural STEM educators creatively utilize limited resources and funding. (4) Reflecting on my life and teaching, I have realized how much I grew through my journey as a rural STEM educator. (5) The needs of rural teachers include the importance of professional development, mentorship, and support to help both educators and students navigate rural areas, while addressing a sense of isolation that many rural STEM teachers experience. (6) The theme of teacher burnout highlights the reasons why many rural teachers leave the profession.
Recommended Citation
Cashon, Inga E., "Stememoir: Reflections From a Rural Stem Educator" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2915.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/2915
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
