In this commentary, the author focuses on the central point of Michael Corbett's book "Learning to Leave". Education, and in particular what is called "rural" education, is premised on loss. This loss is often not fully articulated, but it is deep and abiding. It is registered in efforts to stop the flow of people and resources, to resist consolidation and closure of schools, and to attract and retain educators. Here, the author argues however that such loss can also be productive in that it unsettles. And within such unsettling lie opportunities to generate new knowledge.