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
25: Accountability within Collaborative Learning
Perhaps the most misused word in education is collaboration. What do we mean when we tell students they will be collaborating? More
importantly, what do students do when we tell them they will be collaborating? Join Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation colleagues Dr. Karen Marklein and Mrs. Julia Osteen for a conversation about ensuring individual accountability for group work.
24: What I Want My Mentor Teacher to Know
Mentor teachers are essential to successful field experiences for pre-service teacher candidates. Real classrooms are important training grounds for future educators. Let’s consider how we can maximize the impact of student-teaching experiences. In this episode, Payton Dishman and Alondra Ramirez, two teacher candidates attending the College of Education at Lipscomb University, discuss important concepts they want mentor teachers to know about teacher candidates.
23: Practical Approaches to Collaborative Learning
Perhaps the most misused word in education is collaboration. What do we mean when we tell students they will be collaborating? More importantly, what do students do when we tell them they will be collaborating? Join Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation colleagues Dr. Karen Marklein and Mrs. Julia Osteen for a conversation about practical approaches for effective student collaboration.
22: School Budgeting with Students in Mind
Budgeting is an important element of education leadership, and it can be a daunting task. Examine the process for determining a school's most important needs in order to establish a functional and effective school budget. Practical information and insights are provide by Dr. Kesha Walrond, an Assistant Professor in Lipscomb's College of Education (and former MNPS Principal) and Dr. Shawnna Pierce, a current Principal in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
21: What Teachers Need to Know About Teens & Social Media
Social media usage among teens has increased dramatically and most teenagers have a smartphone. Listen to a conversation between Connie White from Woodward Academy in Atlanta, GA, and Julia Osteen of the College of Education at Lipscomb University as they explore ways to help teachers understand how teens are using social media and how they can have a positive impact through education and awareness.
20: Using Linguistically & Culturally Diverse Texts that Move Students
It’s critical that all students vividly see themselves within literature. All students need to see authentic representation of culture, language, and diverse stories. Listen to Dr. Jeanne Gilliam Fain of the College of Education at Lipscomb University highlight recently published (2018) linguistically and culturally diverse texts.
19: Moving Linguistically & Culturally Diverse Texts into the K-8 Classroom
It’s critical that all students vividly see themselves within literature. All students need to see authentic representation of culture, language, and diverse stories. Listen to Dr. Jeanne Gilliam Fain of the College of Education at Lipscomb University highlight recently published (2018) linguistically and culturally diverse texts.
18: What the Best Mentor Teachers Do
Mentor teachers are essential to successful classroom field experiences for pre-service candidates. Listen to a conversation between Dr. Junior High and Dr. Emily Medlock of the College of Education at Lipscomb University as they discuss strategies for creating a positive teaching and learning experience for both mentor teachers and teacher candidates.
17: Powerful Interview Questions for Hiring Educators
What interview questions are helpful in predicting the future performance of an educator within your organization? How can you tell they will be a good fit for your team?
Listen to a conversation between Dr. Aimee Wyatt of the Southern Regional Education Board and Dr. Rachael Milligan of the Ayers Institute at Lipscomb University about powerful interview questions.
16: Hiring High-Quality Educators
Successful schools are created by successful teams. Great leaders know how to attract the best people.
Listen to a conversation between Dr. Aimee Wyatt of the Southern Regional Education Board and Dr. Rachael Milligan of the Ayers Institute at Lipscomb University about how to hire educators who are the best fit for your organization.