The United States is experiencing a teacher shortage crisis that is even more pronounced in rural communities. Teachers may be driven away from the profession if they feel inadequately trained or under-supported to address students' mental health needs. As such, an important teacher retention strategy is to ensure schools have enough mental health…

Compares and contrasts first year teaching experiences of a grandmother (1919) and granddaughter (1980) in small, isolated, rural New Mexico schools. Offers suggestions for improving recruitment and retention of rural teachers in areas of salary, housing conditions, school philosophy and morale, student population, and community life. (NEC)

A cohort of 29 students in a small rural New Mexico school completed a self-report measure of behavioral intention toward alcohol and drug use in 7th and 11th grades. During the four years between measures, students received intensive education about resisting pro-drug-use pressures. Students reported significantly better behavioral intention…