Stephanie Oudghiri Scherer

Stephanie Oudghiri Scherer is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Curriculum Studies in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Purdue University. As a qualitative researcher specializing in narrative inquiry, her work concentrates on rural education, specifically preparing undergraduate students to teach in rural schools and supporting rural teachers in enhancing instructional quality and student learning. She has published two books on rural education, Struggling to Find Our Way: Rural Educators’ Experiences Working With and Caring for Latinx Students (2022) and Cultivating Care: Lessons from a Rural Kindergarten Classroom (2025). A key aspect of Dr. Oudghiri Scherer’s research explores preservice teachers’ perceptions of place-based education and their involvement with local community organizations. For ten years, she taught Social Studies and English Language Arts to students in grades 6-12 in both rural and urban environments across Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Idaho. She resides on a farm in rural Indiana with her husband.

My research is centered on rural education, with a particular focus on preparing undergraduate students to teach in rural schools and supporting rural teachers in enhancing instructional quality and student learning. I investigate the ways in which teacher preparation programs can effectively equip future educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of rural classrooms.

A central component of my research examines preservice teachers’ understanding of place-based education and their engagement with local community organizations. Given the critical role that schools play in rural communities, my research highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between educators and local stakeholders in enriching student learning experiences and strengthening community ties.

EDCI 20500 — Exploring Teaching As A Career