After Jennifer Burdette was named the Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year, the Spoon River Valley High School social studies teacher has taken the title to a national level.
Jennifer Burdette was named the 2026 National Rural Teacher of the Year by the National Rural Education Association on Aug. 26.
“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,” Burdette said in a news release announcing the honor.
The NREA Foundation interviewed candidates from across the country for the national award, focusing on educators whose work has a significant impact on rural communities.
Burdette was the second recipient of the Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year award, which was launched by the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools in 2025. AIRSS advanced her for national consideration after selecting her for the state award.
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 at the event.
Regional Office of Education 26 Regional Superintendent Dave Demler said the award is well-deserved for Burdette and is a “powerful example” of the quality education taking place in small and rural schools.
ROE 26 serves school districts in Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler counties.
