Ayers Institute Events
Registration for Ayers Institute events and courses occurs
through our online store on Lipscomb Marketplace.
Date: August 25-26, 2025
Time: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (CST) both days
Cost: $695
Location: Lipscomb University
1 University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
TASL Approved: 12 hours of professional learning credit
The Ayers Institute Instructional Coaching Academy: Coaching Models and Practices will equip new coaches and build capacity in current coaches through interactive instruction and relevant practice focused on the skills necessary for coaching. Participants will engage in explicit instruction to explore the skills of increasing influence, committed listening, paraphrasing, presuming positivity, and providing reflective feedback, and then practice these skills throughout the sessions. Participants will also explore the differences between coaching and evaluation, the conditions necessary for coaching, and how to approach each leadership role with a coaching mindset. This academy is useful for new coaches who want to learn how to engage in coaching, current coaches who want to strengthen their coaching skills, principals who want to focus on building capacity in others, and other educational leaders who are charged with supporting coaches and/or teachers in any capacity. Seating is limited to ensure an engaging learning environment.
Content Delivery:
This Instructional Coaching Academy will be conducted in-person and will include instruction, facilitator/participant interaction, small group discussions, and skill practice. Enrollment is limited to ensure the quality of the learning experience for each participant.
Important Payment Options:
For the easiest registration process, select, “Register and Pay Now by Credit Card $695.” If you select, “Register and Pay Later by Check $695” you will receive an invoice that can be paid by check (within 30 days of registration).
Online Webinars
The Ayers Institute produces monthly, web-based seminars ("webinars"). These online resources provide timely, topical professional learning opportunities to educators. Participants can interact with the presenters during the live webinar broadcast. The webinar sessions are also recorded to enable replay at a later time.
The Ayers Institute webinars are appropriate for K-12 educators, higher education professionals, teacher-preparation candidates, and community members with an interest in the field of education.
Topic Areas
Topics covered by Ayers Institute webinars include:
- Ayers Institute Resources
- Coaching
- College Access & Success
- Instructional Skills Development
- School Leadership
- Teacher Preparation
Facing our Coaching Fears: Honest, Vulnerable Conversations Regarding the Uncertain Work of Coaches
Date: August 20, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm (CDT)
Cost: Free
Webinar Host: Dr. Karen Marklein, director of the Ayers Institute for Learning and Innovation
The Ayers Institute and Lipscomb University's College of Education are pleased to present this free webinar! Make plans to join us on Wednesday, August 20 2025 for this free, online event.
What We'll Discuss
Perhaps the loneliest, most misunderstood role in all of education is that of a coach. The teachers know you’re not a teacher, the principals are not sure what to do with you, and the librarian is often your best friend. The thing we don’t often talk about is the fact that this work is hard and uncertain in ways that the coaching literature doesn’t always capture. Register for this interactive webinar to engage in honest, vulnerable conversation regarding the biggest fears coaches experience, and walk away with some actionable steps to face those fears!
Who Should Attend
- Coaches who want to increase awareness and understanding of their work
- District leaders and administrators seeking to support coaches
- District administrators and supervisors looking to increase the culture of coaching in their organization
Key Takeaways
- Decrease the isolation felt by so many educators in the coaching role
- Understand the relevance problem inherent in coaching relationships
- Create psychological safety by focusing on relational trust
- Develop a plan to face your coaching fears!