We'd like to thank the Tourette Association of America for sponsoring this episode.

Guest information

Brett Jennrich is the Director of Affinity Partnerships at Apollo Health Insurance. His work focuses on building partnerships with organizations such as NREA and connecting school districts with insurance education, resources, and customized benefits strategies.

Mark Gilmore is the Chief Operating Officer of Apollo Health Insurance. A former trial attorney, he joined his family’s business after more than two decades in legal practice. He helps lead Apollo’s operations and works with districts to develop sustainable insurance and employee-benefit strategies.

Relevant links

Apollo’s NREA resource page:

https://apollo-insurance.com/nrea/

National Rural Education Association:

https://nrea.net/

NREA and Apollo partnership announcement:

https://nrea.net/nrea-apollo-health-insurance-2026/

National Forum to Advance Rural Education:

https://nrea.net/nfare/

Apollo’s school district contact:

[email protected]

We'd like to thank the Tourette Association of America for sponsoring this episode. 

The Handbook on Rural and Remote Education brings together nearly 60 contributors in 32 chapters that examine teaching, leadership, innovation, equity, rural development, and future research. Learn more about the book through ElgarOnline.

Guests

Dr. Jerry D. Johnson is the Phoebe Moore Dail Distinguished Professor in Rural Education, Professor of Educational Leadership, and Director of the Rural Education Institute at East Carolina University. A native of eastern Kentucky, he previously worked as a high school English teacher, principal, and research director for the Rural School and Community Trust. His work examines rural education policy, leadership, place, and the relationship between schools and communities. East Carolina University

Dr. Hobart L. Harmon is the Leader of Strategic Advancement at Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 in Pennsylvania and a Senior Research Associate in Educational Leadership at Kansas State University. His extensive career has included work in agricultural education, career and technical education, state education leadership, rural education research, and educational innovation. His work focuses on rural school leadership, collaborative partnerships, educational service agencies, and the role of schools in rural development. Kansas State University

Official website:
https://www.thomascmurray.com/

Free resources for educators and school leaders:
https://www.thomascmurray.com/resources

Books and publications:
https://www.thomascmurray.com/books

Personal & Authentic resources:
https://www.thomascmurray.com/authenticedu

Articles, interviews, and podcast appearances:
https://www.thomascmurray.com/news

Future Ready Schools:
https://futureready.org/

Future Ready Schools podcast and leadership resources:
https://futureready.org/podcasts/leading/

Thomas C. Murray’s All4Ed profile:
https://all4ed.org/our-team/thomas-murray/

NREA 2026 Annual Report — this is the main link for the episode; NREA describes it as the organization’s first annual report.

NREA Homepage — general organizational landing page, mission, updates, and member information.

NREA Membership Information — useful since the episode discusses membership value, lifetime membership, institutional membership, and affiliate options.

National Forum to Advance Rural Education / NFAIR — registration and information for the October 19–21, 2026 conference in San Antonio.

Why Rural Matters 2025 — relevant because the episode discusses NREA’s research and national rural education data work.

The Rural Educator — NREA’s peer-reviewed research journal.

NREA State Affiliates — useful for listeners who want to connect at the state level.

NREA Foundation — connects to the episode’s discussion of awards, scholarships, and philanthropic support.

Resources: