About Me



I grew up in a rural area and have lived just outside a rural town. Growing up rural was not always the life I wanted, but it was fun and beneficial. I realized a long time ago that my country roots helped form the me of today. My life was full of nature and LOTS of extended family.

My first school experience was in the rural community where my parents lived. The school was not small and contained grades 1-12. I then attended school out of state for grades 3-5. We returned to the same community and farmhouse for my sixth grade year. I lived there until I married at eighteen. My parents were definitely happier coming home to our community. By the time we returned, the school had done some merging with the town school nearly 20 miles away.  Only grades 1-6 were available for students. I think there might have been a preschool of some sort. Our school closed after my sixth grade year with the students traveling to the town school to finish their education.

My graduating district eventually become my employer. I work at the district first as a secretary, moved onto a data/help desk with our technology department, then I went back to college and got my degree in Human Services. My last ten years with the school district, I worked as the school social worker. Before this job was offered to me, I attended a social worker program. With seventeen hours of a masters degree and about to start an internship, I quit due to financing the degree. I simply was getting into debt that at my age didn't want to take on. In hindsight, I might have continued if I'd known about the upcoming school social worker job. However, at that point, I'm not sure if the degree would have paid for itself. 

It was during my research class, in my masters program, that my rural roots started speaking to me. Sometimes, you just take your childhood for granted. The title of my thesis was Embracing Rural Culture as a Building Block to Self-efficacy and Achievement. My thesis question was What is the relationship between a rural culture and self-efficacy that leads to achievement among a rural population? This question has spurred many thoughts on my own rural life and a lot of self reflection. The Ruralhood was born for writing down my experiences and sharing. I also write at T. Coltrin Writes @ https://journalingwoman.blogspot.com 

I am now retired. I love writing and write a lot each day. One day, I hope to get my writing published again, but of course I need to send them to market. 

Thanks for stopping by.

You can email me at tcoltrin (at) gmail (dot) com

God Bless,
Teresa