The video features Maddie Matson, a first-generation low-income student, who grew up in the small, often overlooked town of Gettysburg, South Dakota. She shares her transformative journey of leaving her hometown to attend Swarthmore College and how that move brought about a dramatic culture shock. At Swarthmore, she encountered a progressive and diverse environment very different from her Midwest roots, and despite initial challenges, she realized that her small-town upbringing had equipped her with unique strengths.

Matson emphasizes that being from a rural area, once perceived as a disadvantage, is actually a hidden strength. She argues that rural students, like herself, possess distinctive qualities such as adaptability and a strong work ethic that are valuable in broader society. This message isn't just personal—it's also a beacon of hope and encouragement for other rural students questioning their place in the larger world, affirming that they too can succeed outside their communities.

Main takeaways from the video:

Please remember to turn on the CC button to view the subtitles.

Key Vocabularies and Common Phrases:

1. liability [ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti] - (noun) - A disadvantage or drawback that can potentially cause problems. - Synonyms: (responsibility, obligation, disadvantage)

My whole life, I thought that being from a small town in South Dakota was a liability.

2. asset [ˈæset] - (noun) - A valuable quality, person, or thing that can be an advantage or aid. - Synonyms: (advantage, benefit, resource)

And as it turns out, it's one of my biggest assets.

3. underestimated [ˈʌndərəˌstɪmeɪtɪd] - (verb) - Believed to be less capable or less important than one actually is. - Synonyms: (undervalued, underappreciated, misjudged)

Our rural schools are underfunded, our teachers are overworked, and our rural students are underestimated.

4. infrastructure [ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər] - (noun) - The fundamental facilities and systems serving a country or area, such as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools. - Synonyms: (framework, foundation, base)

These are issues built into our country's infrastructure.

5. synonymous [sɪˈnɒnɪməs] - (adjective) - Closely associated with or being an indication of something else. - Synonyms: (equivalent, interchangeable, similar)

Redefining going to school in all of the Gettysburg South Dakotas across the United States, synonymous with rural kids, turning their wildest dreams to reality.

6. capital [ˈkæpɪtl] - (noun) - Wealth or resources seen as capable of producing more wealth. - Synonyms: (assets, wealth, resources)

The isolation of rural communities from exposure to different career paths and more so urban based educational opportunities puts our students at a disadvantage in terms of social capital necessary for career growth.

7. cultivating [ˈkʌltɪˌveɪtɪŋ] - (verb) - To foster the growth of something, usually with care and attention. - Synonyms: (nurturing, developing, fostering)

Not super necessary in these rural communities as instead of breeding ground for knowledge, cultivating a brighter future for the entire community.

8. exposure [ɪkˈspəʊʒə(r)] - (noun) - The state of experiencing something or being subjected to something. - Synonyms: (contact, experience, introduction)

The isolation of rural communities from exposure to different career paths.

9. uplift [ʌpˈlɪft] - (verb) - To raise to a higher social, moral, or intellectual level. - Synonyms: (elevate, improve, enhance)

We must uplift rural communities by supporting rural education.

10. impeccable [ɪmˈpekəbl] - (adjective) - In accordance with the highest standards; faultless. - Synonyms: (flawless, perfect, unblemished)

And we have an impeccable work ethic.

Redefining rural education - Maddy Matson - TEDxFargo

Gettysburg, South Dakota. Try to find us on a map. Hi, I'm Maddie Matson. I grew up in Gettysburg, South Dakota, a town not many have heard of, but one that many of us could learn from. I'm a first generation low income student, and I'm so blessed to next month, be starting my third year at Swarthmore College, one of the top rated liberal arts schools just west of Philly. Thank you.

But growing up, I wasn't this hometown all star athlete. I was the kid who got two jobs. At 14, I was your local smiling face at the diner and the bakery and the nursing home, all in the same week. And even after graduation, I stayed in Gettysburg for two years. Leaving for college over a thousand miles away was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Because back home in Gettysburg, leaving your community just isn't what you do. And I did it. I quit my job. I sold my furniture, I typed Philadelphia into Google maps, and I got on the road.

I studied abroad last semester, and most of our pre semester orientation was about this whole relearning everything because of the culture shock we'd experienced in a new country. All of this sounded so similar to when I first arrived on the east coast from my midwest. Small town, Gettysburg. And many rural communities have their own distinct culture. And it's great. Everyone thinks the same, does the same things, more or less. It's comfortable. It's my home now. Philadelphia.

Swarthmore was an absolute culture shock for the rural South Dakota girl. All of a sudden, I was debating global economic policy at lunch. Everyone spoke multiple languages. It was a very progressive culture compared to what I was used to. Midwest, nice. Definitely not a thing on the east coast, but also, I felt like I finally found people who were moving at my speed. It was a whole different world.

Here's the thing. My whole life, I thought that being from a small town in South Dakota was a liability. And as it turns out, it's one of my biggest assets. Why does this matter? For me? For you? For every kid sitting in a classroom in rural America, wondering if the world saved a place for them, it did. Being a rural student absolutely is an asset. And being a rural student is your secret weapon. You will succeed anywhere you decide to go.

There are bigger issues we must address, too, though. Nothing is wrong with our small towns, but rather, these are issues built into our country's infrastructure. Our rural schools are underfunded, our teachers are overworked, and our rural students are underestimated. From my own classroom in South Dakota to all of these communities, that I've visited across four continents searching for these answers. What I've realized is the neglect of rural education is a global issue, but with local impacts.

Simply put, we need to redefine rural education. Now imagine. Imagine school as not just a requirement, mandatory, not super necessary in these rural communities as instead of breeding ground for knowledge, cultivating a brighter future for the entire community. What does this look like? Place based education? Empowering local educators. It looks like redefining going to school in all of the Gettysburg South Dakotas across the United States, synonymous with rural kids, turning their wildest dreams to reality.

And, well, a rural student can turn their wildest dreams to reality with ease. We have the two secret ingredients. We figure it out always. And we have an impeccable work ethic. The isolation of rural communities from exposure to different career paths and more so urban based educational opportunities puts our students at a disadvantage in terms of social capital necessary for career growth. This is where you come in. This is where we must play our part.

Rural education is undervalued. Rural teachers are overworked. Rural students are underestimated. This is our collective future. We can all play a role in improving our rural communities. Support policies that properly fund our rural schools. Volunteer, most importantly, share your knowledge. Everyone is an expert in something. We must uplift rural communities by supporting rural education.

What our communities teach us are assets in the real world and our nation. Our world needs our rural students. I love my town, and I've had the chance to see the world, but my heart is still in the Dakotas. And let me tell you, I had no idea what I was doing when I left. I really still don't. But even though no one understood what I was doing as a rural student, I just had to realize the value that I bring to this world.

Small changes have big impacts in small communities. Our actions today are the seeds of tomorrow, and this is what builds our future, especially considering our rural students. This starts with each one of us. We must take action. We must redefine and recognize the importance of rural education. Thank you.

Education, Rural Development, Inspiration, Technology, Global, Community Support, Tedx Talks