Spotlight of the Week: Dr. Jacqueline Yahn – A Champion for Rural Education and Community Vitality
Dr. Jacqueline Yahn, an associate professor of teacher education at Ohio University, stands out as a transformative force in the field of rural education. Teaching across five regional campuses, Dr. Yahn’s research and teaching impact are deeply rooted in her passion for rural schools and communities, particularly in the Appalachian region.
With a career that exemplifies dedication to education and community, Dr. Yahn focuses on critical areas such as the impact of rural industries on school funding, community sustainability, and the practice of community and career-connected learning in rural schools. As the director of the OHIO Rural Teacher Fellowship and a fellow with the Institute for Measurement Methodology in Rural STEM Education (IMMERSE), her work has redefined how education supports rural development.
Dr. Yahn’s journey began in the Ohio Valley, where she grew up in Martins Ferry and graduated from Martins Ferry High School. With teaching embedded in her family legacy, three generations of her family have been educators, Dr. Yahn naturally pursued a career in education. She earned her BA in Secondary English Education from West Liberty University, an MA in Integrated Teaching and Learning from The Ohio State University, and an EdD in Educational Administration from Ohio University in 2017.
Her research journey began during her master’s program when she noticed a lack of focus on rural and small-town schools in academic studies. Inspired by her own experiences, she connected with mentors Craig and Aimee Howley, who introduced her to the field of rural education research. This pivotal moment shaped her career, leading to the publication of 16 scholarly articles, book chapters, and outreach reports, each addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in rural education.
For Dr. Yahn, the Ohio Valley is more than just home, it’s a source of inspiration and a community to nurture. Eleven years ago, she and her husband, Chris Yahn, president of Yahn Electric Co., made the decision to return to the region to raise their son Liam, now 4, among three generations of family.
“The sense of community across the valley is unmatched,” she reflects. “We see so many opportunities to engage with people and build connections that enrich our lives and careers.”
Dr. Yahn believes in the power of intentionality, both in teaching and in life. Her advice to young women starting in education is to focus on mastering the process rather than being preoccupied with the ideal outcome. She encourages her students and peers to establish roots where they feel they can thrive and to live by values that truly resonate with them.
Her guiding motto encapsulates this philosophy:
“Place matters. Establish roots in the place you want to make a life surrounded by the people you want to make it with. We wilt when we make our big life choices in the shadow of values that are not our own.”
Dr. Yahn’s career is a testament to her belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities. Her work not only shapes the next generation of educators but also fosters a renewed sense of vitality in rural schools and communities. Her commitment to rural education, advocacy for women’s leadership, and deep connection to the Ohio Valley make her a true inspiration and an invaluable part of the educational landscape.
