The heart of Winnett: rural schools face teacher recruitment & retention challenges

Abstract

There is a critical teacher shortage in America, and it is most acute in U.S. rural communities. The three teachers profiled in this film teach at Winnett School in Winnett, MT, with a K-12 enrollment of less than 100 students in one building; these teachers exhibit what it means to be truly dedicated to their students, their profession, and their community despite facing challenges unique to rural educators. There's the K-12 shop teacher, Adam Tholt, who has been teaching for more than two decades in Winnett; Nicole Tholt, the 3rd/4th grade teacher and Adam's wife; and Haley Kiehl, the 5th/6th grade teacher who has held various roles at the school over the last decade. The film chronicles their observations and attempts to bring to light some of the issues rural teachers face on a day-to-day basis. This document expands on the elements pertaining to The Heart of Winnett, including the filmmaker's background and connection to the topic, research, the artistic approach, theoretical elements, and dissemination information, including a budget and distribution plan.