Melissa Gray

I'm a teacher at IKM-Manning that believes we can rebuild robust communities in small town Iowa by building the bridge between school, community, and the local churches by creating relationships with students and mentors in and around the local community that place high value on and recruit future graduates back to the community.

We can stop the rural drain by letting our kids know they have talent and abilities we need in our communities.

By tapping into our "Growing Up Iowa" stories of our past, we can unlock the future by redefining how we live our lives not according to those not from here, but from the simplicity of a life well lived of those who built our towns in rural Iowa.

Our students will return to spread their incredible talents and gifts if we create opportunities for them, and value them as young adults.

#spreadingincredible

#truestory

"Build it - and they will come"