When rural schools succeed, entire communities thrive. In this episode of the Brighter Together podcast, Jeff Byrd, Superintendent of Dalhart ISD, shares how his district is building stronger connections between schools, families, and the workforce. From the ‘Grow Your Own’ teacher pipeline to powerful community-business partnerships, Jeff reveals what it really takes to create opportunity in small-town Texas. With bold leadership, practical innovation, and deep empathy, Dalhart ISD is proving that rural education isn’t broken — it’s a force for change.