Educators know learning is a lifelong pursuit. The Ayers Institute Lunch & Learn podcast provides bite-sized portions of professional learning. You will hear from experienced educators and experts in the field about innovative ideas, proven best practices, and valuable academic resources.
Each episode is 10-15 minutes long and concludes with a prompting question to spark discussion within your professional learning community.
Retired podcast
Look for new episodes of professional learning content in the current Ayers All Access podcast program. Legacy episodes produced between 2017 and 2020 can be accessed here.
Program Episodes
15: Mindset Shifts within Special Education - Part 2
Special Education can be confusing at times, but our goal is always the same: providing high quality education to all students.
Listen to part two of a conversation between Dr. Misty Parsley and Dr. Robbie Hampton of the College of Education at Lipscomb University about the importance of special education.
14: Mindset Shifts within Special Education - Part 1
Special Education can be confusing at times, but our goal is always the same: providing high quality education to all students.
Listen to a conversation between Dr. Misty Parsley and Dr. Robbie Hampton of the College of Education at Lipscomb University about the importance of special education.
13: Increasing College Access: One Kid at a Time
While increasing college access and success is a national priority, the barriers must be addressed at a local level. Today’s episode highlights one rural school district’s approach to changing the expectations for college-going within their schools and the community.
This episode features a conversation between Jerre Maynor, Director of Student Readiness in the Office of Research and Strategy at the Tennessee Department of Education, and Jill Denton, a School Counselor at Grainger High School in East Tennessee.
12: Pathways to Postsecondary - Part 2
In Tennessee, we want postsecondary education to become the new normal for all students. The success of Tennessee Promise along with recent improvements in graduation rates and ACT scores are opening more doors for students after high school. Still, too few students are directly enrolling in postsecondary education. This conversation will explore recent recommendations for how to bridge the gap between K-12 and postsecondary.
11: Pathways to Postsecondary - Part 1
In Tennessee, we want postsecondary education to become the new normal for all students. The success of Tennessee Promise along with recent improvements in graduation rates and ACT scores are opening more doors for students after high school. Still, too few students are directly enrolling in postsecondary education. This conversation will explore recent recommendations for how to bridge the gap between K-12 and postsecondary.
10: Lessons Learned from Leadership - Part 2
Engaging the school community, building a positive school culture, and being responsive to the needs of all stakeholders are foundational elements of great schools. Listen to part two of a conversation between Dr. Robbie Hampton and Dr. Lance Foreman of Lipscomb’s College of Education as they discuss lessons they have learned from their years as public school leaders.
9: Lessons Learned from Leadership - Part 1
Engaging the school community, building a positive school culture, and being responsive to the needs of all stakeholders are foundational elements of great schools. Listen to a conversation between Dr. Robbie Hampton and Dr. Lance Foreman of Lipscomb’s College of Education as they discuss lessons they have learned from their years as public school leaders.
8: What Can Tech Coaching Do for You? - Part 2
Julia Osteen, the Technology Integration Specialist at the Ayers Institute, highlights the roles of the teacher and the coach when technology coaches support the work of educators. Gain a helpful definition of coaching and learn how the skills of coaching can build capacity in yourself and others.
7: What Can Tech Coaching Do for You? - Part 1
Julia Osteen, the Technology Integration Specialist at the Ayers Institute, highlights the new ISTE Standards for educators and how the ISTE standards for coaches support the work of educators. Gain a helpful definition of coaching and learn how coaching can build capacity in yourself and others.
6: Approaching Leadership with a Coaching Mindset - Part 3
Building capacity in your team is essential to achieving the greatest results. Listen to part 3 of a conversation between Dr. Hank Staggs of the Tennessee Department of Education and Dr. Rachael Milligan of the Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning and Innovation at Lipscomb University as they discuss how to approach leadership with a coaching mindset.