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Spoon River Valley teacher Jennifer Burdette named National Rural Teacher of the Year
By Sharon Wren,
1 days agoSpoon River Valley CUSD #4 teacher Jennifer Burdette has been named the 2026 National Rural Teacher of the Year by the National Rural Education Association (NREA) in recognition of her leadership, dedication to students and commitment to rural education. Spoon River Valley serves students in Fulton and Knox Counties.
NREA announced the award on Aug. 26 after its foundation interviewed candidates nationwide, focusing on educators whose work has a significant impact on rural communities. Burdette, a high school social studies teacher in London Mills, has spent nearly 20 years in education and has served as a mentor, instructional leader and advocate for rural students.
Burdette is still trying to process the award. "I think it is something that I am still grappling with myself, and the fact of what does this all mean and how do I move forward? I'm not someone that's a huge proponent of accepting praise easily, and so this has created, you know, my own personal kind of obstacles to overcome. But it does, you know, make me recognize that I'm very fortunate to have been given this platform and to be able to represent so many people who are doing amazing work in their field."
“This is an incredible and well-deserved honor for Jennifer, Spoon River Valley and all of west-central Illinois,” said Regional Office of Education #26 Regional Superintendent Dave Demler. “We know every day that outstanding education is happening in our rural and small schools and Jennifer’s recognition on the national stage is a powerful example. I could not be prouder to see a teacher from our region receive this honor.”
“I strive to serve as a model for my students in both character and leadership while also showing them what it looks like to dream big and work to achieve those goals,” Burdette said. “I want all of my students to understand that geography does not have to be limiting and people in small communities do have a national impact.”
“When I think of Jennifer Burdette, I think of an outstanding leader in our district,” said Spoon River Valley Principal Jody Collier. “I am honored to be able to say a few words congratulating Jennifer on this award. I truly can not think of an individual that would be more deserving. Congratulations Jen, your hard work and dedication makes a difference in the lives of so many.”
Burdette earned statewide recognition through the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS), which launched its Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year program in 2025. AIRSS chose Burdette as only the second recipient of the award before advancing her for national consideration.
“I am excited that in just our second year of the Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year program we are now in the national spotlight,” AIRSS Executive Director David Ardrey said. “It is a testament to the high quality and caliber of our educators in Illinois. This is an affirmation of the dedication, work and commitment our Illinois rural educators make every day in the classroom, the community and the lives of children. Congratulations to Jennifer Burdette on this wonderful award.”
“ROE26 is proud of our strong partnership with AIRSS and NREA to support educators like Jennifer who strive every day to provide excellence in education here in west-central Illinois, across our state and across the country,” Demler said. “Our work with AIRSS, including the Rural CTE Project, is about expanding opportunities for rural students and supporting the educators and schools that make those opportunities possible. Jennifer represents exactly why that mission matters.”
Burdette will receive the national award in October at the 2026 National Forum to Advance Rural Education in San Antonio. She will deliver a keynote address and represent her school and Illinois in front of hundreds of rural education advocates.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
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