Reimagining rural education through Golden LEAF Schools

The latest episode of Golden LEAF Critical Conversations with President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton explores how North Carolina rural middle schools participating in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative are rethinking education to better prepare students for high school, careers, and the workforce of the future. In this episode: Rachel Wright-Junio, Director of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, explains how the initiative is helping schools implement innovative teaching models, strengthen leadership, and create career-connected learning environments that support long-term student success. Dusty Martin, Principal of Northern Middle School in Person County, shares how the Transformative Schools cohort is reshaping school culture, improving instructional practices, and helping educators build stronger systems that support both students and the broader community. Heather Herron, Instructional Technology Facilitator at Swain Middle School in Swain County, offers insight into how proficiency scales and competency-based learning are helping students better understand their progress, build confidence, and take ownership of their education. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is supporting teachers, engaging students, and working to strengthen North Carolina's future workforce by investing in innovation and continuous improvement in rural schools.