Melissa Sadorf

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬! I’m honored to officially step into the role of 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Interim Executive…

“Move from Scarcity to Strength.” One of the most powerful things we can do as rural educators is shift our mindset—from what we lack to what we have. During my May 15th webinar, I talked about the importance of intentional asset mapping—not as a checkbox in a strategic plan,…

In rural schools, relationships aren’t just important—they’re everything. From overlapping roles to long-standing community ties, rural leaders face both unique challenges and unique opportunities when it comes to building trust and engagement. In her latest post, Dr. Melissa…

Rural education is on the chopping block! Proposed federal budget cuts could slash essential funding for small schools, after-school programs, and teacher development—hitting rural communities the hardest. How would your school district cope if key support programs vanished?…

“You don't build a business—you build people, then people build the business.” — Zig Ziglar At Vela Consultants, we focus on building capacity within schools and organizations—developing leaders and teams that drive long-term success. It's about trust, support, and shared…

Rural education isn’t just about numbers—it’s about real people, real challenges, and real innovation. In her latest article, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association (NREA), highlights why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools…

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At Vela Consultants, we help education leaders take that first step—with confidence. Whether navigating supply chains, compliance, or ethics, our solutions provide the…

Great leaders don’t wait—they lead. At the Lead WEL Summit 2025, connect with women who are leading with courage, clarity, and compassion. This is your invitation to join a powerful collective of trailblazers. 📅 August 7, 2025 📍 99 E. Virginia Ave, Phoenix ✨ Step into your…

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi At Vela Consultants, we help school leaders model the kind of ethical, student-centered change they want to see in their classrooms and communities. Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about influence. Under…

Over 80 education funding advocates are ready to meet with offices in 50 meetings #CEFHillDay

"When the only grocery store in Stanfield, Arizona closed down, it was not just inconvenient. it really was a wake up call for the community." During my May 15th webinar, I shared how the closure of that one store turned the local school into so much more than a place for…

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” — Nelson Mandela At Vela Consultants, we guide school leaders through seemingly impossible systems challenges. From compliance to culture shifts, we equip educators to move forward with purpose, professionalism, and progress. With…

Your voice. Your story. Your leadership. Join us for the Lead WEL Summit 2025, where bold women gather to spark change and shape the future. 🗓 Thursday, August 7, 2025 📍 Phoenix, AZ Because leading with grit and grace isn’t just powerful—it’s transformational. ✨ Don’t miss…

“Trust is the glue of life.” — Stephen R. Covey At Vela Consultants, trust is the foundation of every partnership. We help education leaders create reliable systems, build strong teams, and lead with transparency. With Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of NREA, we champion…

The Rural Scoop has a new YouTube home! We’ve moved our podcast content to a new channel: youtube.com/@TheRuralScoop… Same meaningful conversations about rural education, leadership, and community—just in a fresh new spot. If you’ve been following us before, we’d truly appreciate…

👩‍🏫 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬. 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧—𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨…

"At the end of 2023, we received a $2 million grant from the state of Florida to roll it out to all 67 school districts." This Rural Scoop episode dives into the story behind an ambitious statewide effort to expand access and impact. Leigh shares how their program experienced…

Calling all changemakers! Leadership isn’t about waiting—it’s about rising. Join powerful women across Arizona at the Lead WEL Summit 2025 and discover what it truly means to lead with grit, grace, and purpose. 📅 August 7, 2025 📍 99 E. Virginia Ave, Phoenix, AZ ✨This is…

When Medicaid shrinks, rural schools suffer. The Trump-era tax bill could lead to major Medicaid cuts, putting vital school-based health and special education services at risk—especially in underfunded rural districts. 👩‍⚕️ Services like school nurses, speech therapy, mental…

"Thousands of students shared they’re more likely to stand up against hate after a lesson." This Rural Scoop episode highlights the power of education to inspire empathy and action. Leigh shares how real-time data collection is transforming how schools measure impact and empower…