“When we asked the community, they didn’t care if their kids went to Harvard. They cared about the kind of people they were.”
-Cory Steiner
In This Episode
As rural schools prepare to welcome students back this fall, many educators and communities are reflecting on what’s working—and what needs to change. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Cory Steiner, former superintendent of North Cass School District in Hunter, North Dakota, who led a bold redesign of a rural public school grounded in competency-based learning, student voice, and community collaboration.
More than just an inspiring story, Dr. Steiner offers a roadmap for how rural schools can become centers of innovation by asking better questions, building systems that reflect learner needs, and reimagining what success looks like beyond the industrial model. From Youth Advisory Councils to interdisciplinary studio learning, senior capstone “Red Eye” projects, and the integration of AI and work-based learning—this conversation is packed with insights for anyone looking to transform education from the inside out.
Poll Question
POLL- What’s the biggest barrier to reimagining education in your rural community?
Click the link to cast your vote and share your perspective. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ON THIS EPISODE:
- How North Cass transitioned from traditional grades to a competency-based, learner-centered model
- Why developing a local Portrait of a Graduate can anchor school redesign efforts
- How studio learning and interdisciplinary projects foster deeper engagement
- The role of student-led SEL groups, 1-on-1 goal-setting conferences, and design cycles
- Creative strategies for addressing teacher shortages by empowering students
- How rural communities can lead innovation—not follow it
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How might creating a Portrait of a Graduate help your school re-center its goals around student growth?
- What industrial-era systems still shape the way learning happens in your school or district?
- What’s one challenge your rural community faces in shifting toward learner-centered education—and what’s one potential first step?
- How might student voice and autonomy play a bigger role in solving issues like behavior, engagement, and retention?
- If innovation doesn’t have to mean “more,” what might it look like to design better—with what you already have?
GUEST BIO: DR. CORY STEINER
Dr. Cory Steiner is an educational leader who served as superintendent of North Cass School District in Hunter, North Dakota. With a background in both teaching and school administration, he has led pioneering efforts in competency-based education, student-led design, and learner agency. Under his leadership, North Cass became a national model for personalized, project-based, and community-connected learning—especially in a rural setting. Dr. Steiner is a frequent presenter, collaborator, and advocate for transforming the industrial model of education into one that truly supports every learner.
RESOURCES FROM THE CONVERSATION:
- Extraordinary Learning for All – This book features Dr. Steiner and the journey of transforming their rural North Dakota school
- Transcend Education – Design partner supporting North Cass’s redesign process
- Building 21 – Competency-based education support organization
- KnowledgeWorks – Partnered with North Cass on personalized learning models
- LEAPS Student Voice Survey – Tool used by North Cass to measure relevance and learner experience
- Portrait of a Graduate Model – Learn more about this community-based model and see real-world examples
- POLL– What’s the biggest barrier to reimagining education in your rural community?
NOTE: Our featured image was thoughtfully created using AI to visually represent the themes discussed in this episode of The Forgottonia Project.
The Forgottonia Project 