POCATELLO — Students from Idaho State University recently traveled to Challis to participate in the fourth annual Teaching in Rural Areas Immersion Learning (TRAIL) Experience.

Students participating in the TRAIL Experience have the opportunity to take a weeklong excursion in a rural, remote area to learn more about rural education, according to a news release from ISU.

This year, the group traveled to the Challis School District, where the participants spent time at Challis Elementary and Junior/Senior High School and at the Stanley School.

Throughout the week, teacher candidates visited district and school leadership and learned more about teaching in rural areas. At the end of every day, participants held debriefs to share observations, insights and experiences.

Teaching candidates also had the opportunity to participate in fun activities with local teachers and students, including a cake decorating and tasting contest and music concerts.

Lani Rembelski, Challis School District superintendent and principal, expressed gratitude to ISU in the news release for being included in the TRAIL Experience.

“This is a valuable opportunity for students to experience and better understand the unique qualities of our small, rural schools,” Rembelski said in the news release. “Our staff truly enjoyed collaborating with the ISU students and sharing their classrooms and expertise.”

Isaac Brambila, one of the teacher candidates at ISU, said in the news release that opportunities such as the TRAIL Experience are instrumental in helping communities throughout rural America.

“It opened my eyes to not only rural areas in Idaho but rural areas all over the world,” Brambila said in the news release.

Since Challis has a four-day school week, teacher candidates spent the Friday they were there visiting historical sites and museums, including the North Custer Museum, Bayhorse Interpretive Center and Bayhorse Ghost Town in the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park.

Several teacher candidates said the community was kind and welcoming toward them and made them excited to learn more about rural education.

Taylor Pope, one of the students, said in the news release that the TRAIL Experience was an amazing opportunity.

“I learned so much about the school district we visited in Challis and Stanley, and got to see firsthand just how excellent and hard-working the faculty and staff are,” Pope said in the news release. “The students and teachers treated us with nothing but kindness and respect, and I had a complete perspective change on what rural schools are really like. I am forever grateful for this TRAIL Experience!”

Another student, Maria Silva, said in the news release that the TRAIL Experience was a meaningful experience because it taught her so much about people in small communities.

“It showed me that small communities can make a big impact, strengthened my passion for teaching, and gave me valuable knowledge, meaningful connections, and memories I’ll always cherish,” Silva said in the news release.

Many rural and remote areas have trouble attracting and retaining teachers, which makes the TRAIL Experience instrumental in allowing future teachers to learn more about teaching in small areas.