Rural Thrive:

The Rural Educator Resilience Project

All rural educators deserve to thrive

A map of Maine showing connections between different communities.

Rural Thrive Team

Thank you for your interest in Rural Thrive: The Rural Educator Resilience Project. We are a committed team of education researchers and professionals who believe that all rural educators deserve to thrive. Click on the photos below to learn more about each of our team members, as well as our project partners. For questions about specific programs:

  • Want information about Thrive Foundations? Email Mentor Teacher in Residence Laura Bean, laura.bean@maine.edu.
  • Want to join our Rural Teacher Leader Network? Email Teacher Leader in Residence Gert Nesin, gert.nesin@maine.edu.
  • Want to join our Rural School Leader Network? Email Leader in Residence Paul Austin, paul.austin@maine.edu.
  • Want information about our Rural Substitute Teaching and Innovation Corps, or have a general inquiry about Rural Thrive? Email project lead Catharine Biddle, catharine.biddle@maine.edu.
A photo of Ezekiel Kimball.

Interim Dean, College of Education and Human Development

Role: Principal Investigator

ezekiel.kimball@maine.edu

Bio

Associate Professor of Educational Leadership

Role: Rural Thrive Project Leader

catharine.biddle@maine.edu

Bio
Nikki Lewis professional portrait.

CARES Research Administrator

Role: Rural Thrive Project Manager

nikki.j.lewis@maine.edu

Bio
An outdoor selfie of Gert Nesin.

Teacher Leader in Residence

gert.nesin@maine.edu

Bio
A picture of Laura Bean.

Mentor Teacher in Residence

laura.bean@maine.edu

Bio
A photo of Paul Austin.

Leader in Residence

paul.austin@maine.edu

Bio

Rural Thrive Partners

Penobscot River Educational Partnership

University of Maine at Farmington

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Colby College

Thomas College

Maine Small Schools Coalition logo.

Maine Small Schools Coalition