๐๐๐ | ๏ปฟ๐๐จ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง-๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง ๐
Mon Feb 02 2026
๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ฌ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฒ:๏ปฟ๏ปฟIn this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Erika Wright, an education justice organizer based in Noble, Oklahoma. Erika shares her journey from classroom training to school board service, grassroots organizing, and statewide advocacy through the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition and the Advanced Oklahoma Kids Coalition.Together, they explore how meaningful change happens at kitchen tables, school board meetings, and capitol buildingsโespecially in rural communities. Erika discusses coalition-building across rural and urban lines, the power of citizen advocacy, and what happens when policy rhetoric outpaces facts. The conversation also dives into high-profile religion-in-schools cases, the impact of Oklahomaโs tax credit (voucher-style) system on rural districts, and the importance of keeping students and communities at the center of policy decisions.This episode offers practical insights for educators, school leaders, and advocates who want to move from frustration to action and help remove barriers so more students can thrive.๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฌ:๏ปฟ๏ปฟ00:00 Introduction to Erica Wright and Her Work02:05 Erica's Journey into Education Advocacy04:52 The Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition06:01 Advanced Oklahoma Kids Coalition07:25 Lessons from Rural Policy and Community Organizing10:14 Oklahoma Appleseed's Mission and Pillars11:56 Current and Future Policy Initiatives14:52 Litigation and Religious Charter Schools15:58 Community Engagement and Support19:13 Personal Reflections and Community Reactions26:07 Maintaining Coalition Unity Amidst National Attention29:41 Balancing Editorial and Advocacy30:47 Impact of Tax Credits on Rural Schools34:47 Accountability and Transparency in Education Funding38:32 Challenges and Frustrations in Oklahoma's Education System40:03 Youth and Community Voices in Policy Change43:59 Building and Maintaining Coalitions48:01 Future Projects and Positive Change53:04 The Rural Advantage and Final Thoughts๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฒ:๏ปฟ๏ปฟThis conversation with Erika Wright highlights whatโs possible when advocacy is rooted in listening, trust, and local leadership. From rural school boards to statewide coalitions, Erika reminds us that sustainable change doesnโt require thousands of voicesโjust a committed few in every community who are willing to learn, speak up, and stay engaged.As Oklahoma navigates complex challenges around funding, policy, and public education, this episode underscores a powerful truth: when families, educators, and community members work together, organizing can become real, lasting changeโfor students and for the future of rural schools.
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๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ฌ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฒ:๏ปฟ๏ปฟIn this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Erika Wright, an education justice organizer based in Noble, Oklahoma. Erika shares her journey from classroom training to school board service, grassroots organizing, and statewide advocacy through the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition and the Advanced Oklahoma Kids Coalition.Together, they explore how meaningful change happens at kitchen tables, school board meetings, and capitol buildingsโespecially in rural communities. Erika discusses coalition-building across rural and urban lines, the power of citizen advocacy, and what happens when policy rhetoric outpaces facts. The conversation also dives into high-profile religion-in-schools cases, the impact of Oklahomaโs tax credit (voucher-style) system on rural districts, and the importance of keeping students and communities at the center of policy decisions.This episode offers practical insights for educators, school leaders, and advocates who want to move from frustration to action and help remove barriers so more students can thrive.๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฌ:๏ปฟ๏ปฟ00:00 Introduction to Erica Wright and Her Work02:05 Erica's Journey into Education Advocacy04:52 The Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition06:01 Advanced Oklahoma Kids Coalition07:25 Lessons from Rural Policy and Community Organizing10:14 Oklahoma Appleseed's Mission and Pillars11:56 Current and Future Policy Initiatives14:52 Litigation and Religious Charter Schools15:58 Community Engagement and Support19:13 Personal Reflections and Community Reactions26:07 Maintaining Coalition Unity Amidst National Attention29:41 Balancing Editorial and Advocacy30:47 Impact of Tax Credits on Rural Schools34:47 Accountability and Transparency in Education Funding38:32 Challenges and Frustrations in Oklahoma's Education System40:03 Youth and Community Voices in Policy Change43:59 Building and Maintaining Coalitions48:01 Future Projects and Positive Change53:04 The Rural Advantage and Final Thoughts๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฒ:๏ปฟ๏ปฟThis conversation with Erika Wright highlights whatโs possible when advocacy is rooted in listening, trust, and local leadership. From rural school boards to statewide coalitions, Erika reminds us that sustainable change doesnโt require thousands of voicesโjust a committed few in every community who are willing to learn, speak up, and stay engaged.As Oklahoma navigates complex challenges around funding, policy, and public education, this episode underscores a powerful truth: when families, educators, and community members work together, organizing can become real, lasting changeโfor students and for the future of rural schools.