Events
Take a look at some upcoming events, webinars and conferences offered by the Ayers Institute.
Webinar | Building Agency: Lessons learned from schools
Friday, September 27, 2019
10:00a.m. - 11:00a.m. (CDT)
Online Webinar
Educators are continually looking for ways to encourage student ownership of learning. However, this is much easier said than done. Tennessee educators grappled with this challenge and identified ways to build student and teacher agency through a Tennessee Department of Education pilot.
Learn how some of these educators intentionally implemented student agency and, along the way, discovered how integral their own agency was to the process. Participants will leave this webinar with a deeper understanding of what true student agency means and tips for implementing agency in schools and classrooms.
This FREE online webinar is appropriate for both classroom teachers and school/district leaders.
Fortify Conference 2019: "What if..."
Thursday, October 3, 2019
One-day event
Lipscomb University's Spark Idea Center;
Downtown – Nashville, Tennessee
Fortify is a modern, fast-paced conference featuring micro-sessions and impactful participant conversation. Presenters will share in a narrative format and conference participants will have time to discuss the big ideas they hear. Each narrative presented will highlight a passion topic. Take advantage of this rare opportunity for collaboration among PK-12 and Higher Education professionals.
View full event details on the Fortify web page.
Space is limited. Lunch and parking are included in your registration.
Ignite Unconference! — "Get Switched On to Technology"
Saturday, October 19, 2019
8:00 a.m. - Noon (CDT)
Ezell Center at Lipscomb University; Nashville, TN
Join us for the annual “unconference” that puts the learner at the heart. Individuals attending Ignite let their feet do the talking, attending sessions based on their own interests and needs. Sessions are fast-paced and showcase some of the newest classroom-ready technology tools. You’ll learn practical and current technologies taught by local College of Education technology experts as well as current-service K-12 teachers.
This is a free education-technology conference sponsored by the Lipscomb University College of Education.
Ayers Institute Instructional Technology Coaching Academy
January 22 & 23, 2020
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (both days)
Lipscomb University
The Ayers Institute Instructional Technology Coaching Academy is useful for anyone who coaches teachers on the effective use of technology for learning. It is structured to 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 committed listening, paraphrasing, presuming positivity, and providing reflective feedback, and then practice these skills throughout the sessions. Participants will also explore the ISTE Standards for Coaches, the relationship between coaching and evaluation, and how to approach various roles with a coach mindset.
In case of inclement weather, the Ayers Institute will contact each registrant with the rescheduled seminar dates.
Ayers Institute Instructional Coaching Academy: Skills Development
March 4 & 5, 2020
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (both days)
Lipscomb University
The Ayers Institute Instructional Coaching Academy: Skills Development will build on the knowledge gained during the Coaching Models and Practices session. This academy will focus on deepening the skills of listening, paraphrasing, presuming positivity, and providing reflective feedback by engaging in authentic practice of these foundational coaching tools. Participants will also focus on essential self-awareness, consider the coaching cycle developed by the Ayers Institute, and explore the various kinds of conversations that lead to growth in those we coach. This academy would be useful for coaches, principals, or district leaders who have engaged in the Coaching Models and Practices session, and will be facilitated by Karen Marklein, Rachael Milligan, and Julia Osteen. In this academy, these Ayers Institute coaches will challenge and encourage you in your journey to effective coaching.
Prerequisite- 2-day Ayers Institute Instructional Coaching Academy: Coaching Models and Practices session.
TASL Approved: 12 hours professional learning credit.
PATH-Intro to Working with Adult Learners
Ongoing Course Registration
Preparing Adults for the Transition to Higher Education (PATH)
Introduction to Working with Adult Learners
The Tennessee College Access and Success Network and Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation at Lipscomb University have partnered to create PATH: Preparing Adults for the Transition to Higher Education. Our introductory strand of the course was created with the intent to provide support and resources to professionals around Tennessee who may work with adults who are enrolling in institutions of higher education for the first time or those who are re-enrolling in order to complete their degree.
The cost is $69 per person.
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