Congratulations to Johna Burchett, GT teacher at Palestine – Wheatley School District, on being selected as the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) 2025 Grants in Place Fellow for the Arkansas Delta! Johna has taught for 17 years, including 15 years in first grade, one year as a Literacy Interventionist, and her current role as a Gifted & Talented teacher. Johna’s project, Read & Succeed: Book Vending Machine Initiative, is a creative project designed to enhance literacy and foster a love for reading among rural students. The Grants in Place Fellows Program is offered annually to rural classroom teachers who teach in each of RSC’s 17 regional hubs to lead impactful projects that strengthen ties between their classrooms and local communities. Arkansas Teacher Corps is proud to serve as a co-lead of the RSC Arkansas Delta hub alongside our partners at Rural Community Alliance. Read more here.