(The Center Square) – An Illinois program aims to address teacher shortages in rural communities and encourage more student-community engagement. Since its inception in 2019, the Monmouth Rural Education Initiatives pro.
Monmouth College's educational studies program received a major boost to help prepare teachers for rural communities. Several federal grants were secured for communities in the area and Monmouth College was the recipient of $750,000 for their education effort. The grant will support the Monmouth Rural Education Initiatives program, which aims to address teacher shortages in rural communities, increase the representation of teachers of color and encourage more student-community engagement. "This exceptional grant recognizes and advances Monmouth College's role as a force for good in our immediate community and in communities across Illinois," said Monmouth President Clarence R. Wyatt. "I am proud of the work being led by our educational studies faculty members and their students. I am especially grateful to Congresswoman Cheri Bustos for her great efforts in securing this grant and for her strong partnership with Monmouth College." Since its inception in 20