AIRSS Team

Rural teachers need to be elevated and celebrated. For all the conversations and challenges we hear about our public education system, it is all too easy to forget that behind it all are living, breathing, thinking, feeling professionals that desire to love our children into becoming the best versions of themselves possible. For this reason, […]

MACOMB, IL –The National Rural Education Association (NREA) recently launched the 2025 Why Rural Matters report, a project with a more than 20-year history of shaping the conversation about rural education. First conceptualized by the Rural Schools and Community Trust, the report has evolved into a vital resource for policymakers, educators, and communities.  Why Rural

AIRSS is dedicated to advancing education for rural students, and supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) has become a main focus in that goal; our work surrounding CTE programming has grown significantly over the past two years through our Rural IL CTE Project. As well, we are adamant about finding solutions to the rural teacher

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 1, 2025 Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools Announces Premier Sponsorship with OPTERRA to Support Rural School Infrastructure and Facilities Modernization Springfield, IL – The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS), representing more than 500 member districts statewide, is proud to announce a new Premier Annual Sponsorship with OPTERRA

Thank you to Kings Financial Consulting, Inc. for your support of our mission to advocate and be the VOICE of Illinois rural and small schools! Please read their full statement below, and visit their website for more information. Kings Financial Consulting, Inc. is pleased to join the membership of the Association of Illinois Rural and