Welcome to the Rural
Professional Learning Network (RPLN)
A vibrant community where students and educators are building a brighter future for their schools, together.
Launched in 2016, the RPLN began as a grassroots movement in Butte and El Dorado counties. Today, supported by the S.H. Cowell Foundation and in partnership with the Del Norte County Office of Education, we guide students and educators across Northern California through a continuous improvement process. The goal? To cultivate a profound sense of joy, healing, and transformation in their school communities.
What is RPLN?
Our network is built on a five-step design process where student and educator teams—along with a community partner—collaborate to improve well-being, foster a sense of belonging, and ignite student agency. Quarterly convenings allow members to connect, challenge assumptions, and co-design projects that breathe new life into their schools.
RPLN Impact Snapshot
School districts served
Students nurtured
County offices supported
Read the full impact report at Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE).
Kneeland School District
Humboldt County, CA
Our Vision
Our approach is guided by a core belief: to inspire change, we must first find joy and well-being in our own work. Our unique Change Design Framework provides the roadmap, centering our journey on principles of inquiry and dignity.
Empowering Students
We see students as natural leaders and designers, and we trust them to pioneer innovative solutions for their own learning and school environments
Transforming Communities
We're building a collaborative community of changemakers where educators and students can share insights, stories, and challenges, transforming their schools from the ground up.
Building a Legacy
We use the power of storytelling and place-making to honor local identity and create lasting legacies that will benefit future generations.
Fieldbrook Elementary School
Community Partners
Get Engaged
All meetings held via Zoom from 4-5 p.m. PST.
