Her research focuses on rural teacher recruitment and retention, rural education policy, and the implementation of literacy curriculum to promote reading and writing. Brenner coordinates the Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program, a division of a national program that trains education leaders to engage in education policy and advocacy.

The Rural Educator:

The Rural Educator is the journal of the National Rural Education Association and is edited by Devon Brenner (Mississippi State University), Catherine Biddle (University of Maine), and Erin McHenry-Sorber (West Virginia University). The mission of the journal is to provide a greater understanding of the strengths and needs of rural education and to provide rural educators with resources that support their work. The Rural Educator publishes three types of peer reviewed articles: research articles, promising practice articles, and reviews of research. In addition, the journal publishes policy briefs that provide updates on policy issues relevant to rural educators. The open access journal is hosted online by Mississippi State University Libraries. Current and past issues and information for authors can be accessed at ruraleducator.info. Print copies of the journal are provided as a benefit of membership in the National Rural Education Association. Contact the editors at theruraleducator@gmail.com.