Archived Webinars
The Ayers Institute web-based seminars ("webinars") are recorded to enable replay and sharing among colleagues.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Ayers Digital Resources
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
"Teaching is a profession in which capacity building should occur at every stage of the career - novices working with accomplished colleagues, skillful teachers sharing their craft, and opportunities for teacher leadership." —Randi Weingarten
Knowledge sharing is exactly the reason why the World Wide Web was invented! You can help maximize the benefit of the Web to educators by participating in a free exchange of ideas and resources. The eduTOOLBOX resource-sharing portal was designed by educators for educators and contains features tailored to the open sharing of academic resources. This webinar will describe the resources available through eduTOOLBOX and will encourage teacher-preparation students and faculty to become active participants in this educator-to-educator platform. That’s right, you can be published worldwide as an eduTOOLBOX contributor! Learn how.
View the Webinar Replay
July 27, 2017
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Ayers Digital Resources
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Whether you are preparing a classroom lesson or a professional learning session, we know you are always looking to keep it fresh, relevant, and focused. Sometimes you just need the spark of a new idea or more clarity on the learning objectives. The eduTOOLBOX resource-sharing portal is a great source of inspiration for instructional innovation, providing access to over 4,000 academic items and over 5,000 academic standards. This webinar will help you make effective use of eduTOOLBOX, a free resource from the Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation. We will highlight some of the newest website features and provide specific suggestions on how to use eduTOOLBOX to spark your creativity and meet your instructional goals.
February 14, 2017
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Ayers Digital Resources
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Every day, educators look for professional learning options that are both relevant and on a schedule that doesn’t encroach on their other responsibilities. Educators often don’t have large pockets of time to give to professional learning. What if you could have “just in time” professional learning in bite-sized chunks? And, what if the professional learning could benefit you individually and spark conversations within your community of practice?
The wait is over! The Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation has a brand-new resource, the “Lunch & Learn” podcast. Learn how you can make the most of this modern, free resource that puts you, the educator, in the driver’s seat of your own professional learning.
June 22, 2016
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Ayers Digital Resources
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Every day, educators craft lessons that are designed to combine student engagement, rigor, and relevance. Like all creative professionals, teachers often seek resources and inspiration to help them be most successful in their planning efforts. The new eduTOOLBOX.org website hosts hundreds of high-quality resources including lesson plans, strategies, assessments, and professional learning materials. Learn how you can make the most of this new, modern, and free resource from the Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning and Innovation. We will explore the different types of materials available, demonstrate how to search and browse to find what you need, and provide examples of how eduTOOLBOX can support the success of your classroom, school, or district goals.
June 3, 2015
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Ayers Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Wondering what a MOOC is and what it can do for you? Looking for FREE resources to strengthen teaching practices? Considering how to use data to inform decisions in the classroom? Join the Ayers Institute for an interactive webinar, highlighting FREE online courses. These courses, modules and activities are aligned to the TEAM General Educator Rubric and the Praxis Exams. Come away from this webinar with new ideas and practical applications for using these high-quality resources.
May 13, 2015
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CST)
Ayers Leadership Resources
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Planning for your summer and fall professional learning offerings for aspiring leaders? Fortifying your syllabi for next year’s educational leadership courses? Organizing a professional learning community for new or aspiring administrators? Join the Ayers Institute for an interactive webinar, highlighting free leadership resources. These videos and activities are aligned to the TEAM Administrator Rubric, TILS, and Wallace Foundation research. Come away from this webinar with new ideas and practical applications for using these high-quality resources. (This webinar is appropriate for K-12 and higher education professionals who work with current or aspiring leaders.)
March 4, 2015
10:00-11:00 am (CST)
INVEST and MOOC Overview Webinar
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Learn about free video resources and online courses that you can use in educator preparation programs or as professional development. Ayers Institute faculty will walk you through the login process and will offer examples of how these rich resources can be incorporated into your course or professional learning program.
May 22, 2018
10:00-11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
While instructional coaching has taken hold in most schools and school districts, the role of the teacher in the coaching relationship is often unclear. However, there are essential understandings regarding coaching that leaders need to recognize and teachers must be comfortable with before they can expect any benefit from coaching. In what ways can coaching improve teachers’ practice? Is coaching appropriate for all teachers? What does my coach expect from the teachers he or she works with? Can I really trust my coach? These are some of the questions we will explore in this interactive webinar focused on equipping leaders and teachers with the knowledge they need to get the most from a coaching relationship.
View the Webinar Replay
June 7, 2017
10:00-11:00 am (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Are you adding coaches to your district but not sure where to begin to recruit and hire the best people for the position? Are you wondering how other districts have succeeded in hiring coaches? Look no further! Join the Ayers Institute for an informative webinar with author, Carla Cushman. Learn from Dr. Cushman’s experience starting an instructional coaching program from the ground up, with helpful tips on hiring the right people. Learn what pitfalls to avoid and what to do in order to make the right decisions with this important personnel choice.
May 10, 2017
10:00-11:00 am (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
What does it mean to have conversations about learning that are truly student-centered? How can professional learning communities operate and communicate in effective ways? How can principals find the bright spots of instruction and build upon those? These questions, and a host of others, often rise to the surface as school and district leaders work to find ways to integrate the roles of administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers within a positive school culture.
Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Schools for Murfreesboro City Schools and Don Bartch, Principal at Overall Creek Elementary School share insights, experiences, and practical tips for how to maximize the impact of coaching across a district.
January 18, 2017
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. CST
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Join the Ayers Institute for this free webinar, in which we explore what coaching is and is not. This webinar will define coaching and provide context for its application in teaching, leading, advising, and collaboration.
November 4, 2015
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
You have heard about coaching and you are intrigued--but what can you really expect to gain from the coaching relationship? Join the Ayers Institute for this free webinar, in which we explore what coaching is and is not, and how educators can benefit by engaging with a coach. Learn about how coaching can be your most valuable professional learning experience and how the coaching relationship can help you move from unrealized possibilities to discovering your true potential.
September 23, 2015
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Are you a new or aspiring instructional coach who is wondering what your role should entail? Are you an experienced coach who is hoping to maximize your time and make the most of your coaching conversations? Are you a school leader who is wondering just what an instructional coach is supposed to do in your building? Are you a higher education faculty member who is looking to prepare educators for the benefits of coaching?Join the Ayers Institute for this replay of Webinar Wednesday: The Role of the Coach. Participants will explore a variety of coaching models and perspectives, while honing in on coaching best practices and essential skills. Don’t miss this free professional learning opportunity!
August 11, 2015
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
The key ingredient in the success of any coaching program is the principal-coach relationship. Join the Ayers Institute team of coaches to explore the nuances of the principal role and the coach’s role within a successful culture of coaching. Participants will receive practical tips based on experience and grounded in research. Don’t miss this professional learning opportunity!
July 15, 2015
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Are you looking for practical, effective ways to launch an instructional coaching program in your school or district? Are you wondering how to equip both coaches and leaders for program success? Not sure where to begin?
Look no further! Join the Ayers Institute for an informative webinar where experienced coaches will provide research-based, helpful tips on starting and sustaining an instructional coaching program in your school or district. Learn what pitfalls to avoid and what strategies to implement in order to build capacity throughout your entire team.
Tuesday, October 18, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar
It is important for College Access Counselors to build relationships with whole families. Relationship building is an investment of time that will produce big dividends down the road! This month’s webinar will feature insights and recommendations from two Ayers Foundation College Access Counselors. Hear them share strategies for how to partner with parents to encourage a college-going identity within their children.
View the Webinar Replay
Thursday, April 12, 2018
10:00-11:00 am (CST)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
Join us for a discussion on the vision for EPSOs in Tennessee, and the coordination between K-12 and higher education. We will discuss some of the available resources to support schools and districts in offering EPSOs as well as some strategies to overcome some of the challenges to implementation. You’ll also get a chance to hear from districts who are working to expand these opportunities for all students!
This free, online seminar is appropriate for K-12, higher education, and college-access professionals.
View the Webinar Replay
November 8, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
Once students decide to continue education beyond high school, they often turn their attention toward how to pay for that education. Recent statistics indicate that at least 8 out of 10 first-time, full-time students at 2- and 4-year institutions will receive some sort of financial aid. Join us for a free webinar on Scholarship Search Strategies where we will define key financial aid terms, delve into different sources for scholarships, and consider strategies that students can use to maximize the impact of their time spent applying for scholarships.
This webinar is brought to you by the Ayers Institute in partnership with the Tennessee College Access and Success Network along with guest expert Pat Cole, Scholarship Coordinator for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
August 9, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
As the school year begins and high school seniors begin transforming their college aspirations into reality, have you ever felt that your students were making short-sighted decisions about where to apply, procrastinating, or not thinking through other crucial steps along the way? Are you looking for strategies that can help build your students’ self-efficacy and motivation as they prepare to transition from high school to postsecondary? Join us as we share behavioral research on how students process information and make decisions, ideas for how to support student decision-making, and strategies to help your students practice how to tackle the complex decisions they’ll need to make in college while they are still in high school.
April 5, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
Want to help make your students’ transition to higher education seamless and successful? During this free webinar we will discuss strategies for linking your students to campus support services while still in high school, and we will share a checklist of tasks they should complete before they matriculate this fall.
December 7, 2016
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
Your college-bound students have submitted their college applications – now what? This webinar covers some common terms, provides insights on how colleges calculate aid packages, and gives tips for counseling students about student loans. Learn more about how to guide students through the process of comparing aid awards and accepting aid to finance their college education.
October 5, 2016
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
Do you wish you knew more about how admissions practices could benefit your high-achieving students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds? Join us for a session with college admissions recruiters to learn how demonstrated interest and early decision can benefit the students you serve, how recommendation letters fit in to the admissions puzzle, and how to strengthen recommendations you write for your students.
August 3, 2016
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
Learn about updates and changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that are coming this school year and hear about how these changes may affect students. Jason Seay of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) will share information on steps students should take before beginning the FAFSA, early FAFSA and how the new timeline may affect students, and resources practitioners can turn to with questions or concerns.
March 30, 2016
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
There is growing focus on helping adult learners begin or return to college in Tennessee as part of Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55; yet, adult learners approach postsecondary education differently than traditional students do. The professionals who help adults begin or return to college cannot simply rely on traditional college and career search methods to best serve the unique needs of adult learners. This free webinar will provide an introduction to best practices for working with adult learners that are based in research on human development, motivation, and research on adults who plan to return to school. Participants will learn strategies that can be used to help adult learners identify and reach their own educational and career goals.
December 2, 2015
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
Are you a school administrator working to increase the college-going rate in your school? Are you a college access professional working to hone your skills? Are you a school counselor working with students and families on paying for college? Then don’t miss this FREE webinar! Learn about strategies that can help you talk to families about the FAFSA as well as important key details all students and families should keep in mind. Hear how an expert in the field provides timely information and opportunities that empower students and families.
July 22, 2015
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
In today’s economy, a post-secondary credential is in greater demand than ever before. By 2020, 65 percent of U.S. jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, but only 39 percent of U.S. working-age adults hold a post-secondary credential as of 2012. Unfortunately, confusion over the college admissions process keeps many qualified students from attending a good-fit college, and the admissions process increasingly requires a savvy strategy to ensure that students have the best options available. Learn about strategies that school counselors and college access practitioners who are assisting students use to demystify college applications and help students stay organized during the process.
April 1, 2015
10:00-11:00 am (CST)
Series: College Access Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
Many students complete the FAFSA but face financial aid delays because they fail to follow through once they submit their FAFSA. School counselors and college access professionals can effectively guide students to take the steps needed. Learn about some ways that practitioners are assisting students once the FAFSA is completed.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Ayers Digital Resources
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
"Teaching is a profession in which capacity building should occur at every stage of the career - novices working with accomplished colleagues, skillful teachers sharing their craft, and opportunities for teacher leadership." —Randi Weingarten
Knowledge sharing is exactly the reason why the World Wide Web was invented! You can help maximize the benefit of the Web to educators by participating in a free exchange of ideas and resources. The eduTOOLBOX resource-sharing portal was designed by educators for educators and contains features tailored to the open sharing of academic resources. This webinar will describe the resources available through eduTOOLBOX and will encourage teacher-preparation students and faculty to become active participants in this educator-to-educator platform. That’s right, you can be published worldwide as an eduTOOLBOX contributor! Learn how.
View the Webinar Replay
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) requires that Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams consider the use of assistive technology in order to implement a student's IEP. What is assistive technology? How should it be implemented? Who should implement it? This webinar will answer these questions and assist teams in making decisions about assistive technology. Participants will also receive helpful resources to guide them in this process.
View the Webinar Replay
December 6, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
Looking for tools and approaches to effectively integrate technology? Are you not able to attend the Tennessee Educational Technology Conference but want to hear some of the ideas shared? Join Dr. Terry Sue Fanning from Lipscomb’s College of Education and Julia Osteen from the Ayers Institute for an action-packed webinar as they share the best takeaways from the Tennessee Educational Technology Conference.
View the Webinar Replay
March 28, 2017
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Literacy is a focus of teachers and leaders across the state of Tennessee, and across the nation. But literacy is more than a passing emphasis or an educational buzzword. Strong literacy skills are at the heart of equity and opportunity for all our students. Literacy at the middle and high school levels is the avenue by which students access knowledge. Students must know how to use their literacy skills in every content area in order to learn. Teachers must be equipped with ways to unlock these opportunities for literacy across all subjects.
Join Dr. Ally Hauptman and Dr. Michelle Hasty for the next Ayers Institute Webinar: "Is Every Teacher a Reading Teacher? Secondary Strategies for Literacy Across the Content Areas" as they share practical strategies for literacy across the content areas, with a specific focus on how to incorporate these strategies in grades 6-12.
September 21, 2016
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
The facts about literacy proficiency in Tennessee are staggering. Couple that reality with the goal of 75% of third grade students proficient in reading by 2025, and educators could be left wondering how they will get their students ready to read. Join this webinar to hear from experts in the field about best practices in early literacy instruction, and leave with strategies that could be implemented in the classroom tomorrow.
February 3, 2016
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.(CST)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Teachers and administrators are sometimes challenged with providing personalized learning for their students. How can you meet the needs of all learners in the classroom? This webinar will explore the term “personalized learning,” why personalized learning, best practices when using technology to personalize learning and tools that can support the instructional goal of personalizing learning. Guest expert, Dr. Hope Nordstrom, will share what she has seen work in schools and ideas for tools that can support this instructional goal. Participants will leave this webinar with resources they can use the next school day.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) requires that Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams consider the use of assistive technology in order to implement a student's IEP. What is assistive technology? How should it be implemented? Who should implement it? This webinar will answer these questions and assist teams in making decisions about assistive technology. Participants will also receive helpful resources to guide them in this process.
View the Webinar Replay
December 6, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
Looking for tools and approaches to effectively integrate technology? Are you not able to attend the Tennessee Educational Technology Conference but want to hear some of the ideas shared? Join Dr. Terry Sue Fanning from Lipscomb’s College of Education and Julia Osteen from the Ayers Institute for an action-packed webinar as they share the best takeaways from the Tennessee Educational Technology Conference.
View the Webinar Replay
October 3, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar
View the Webinar Replay
There is an emphasis on STEM education in our nation and in Tennessee. What really is STEM education? How do schools approach STEM education in Tennessee? Join Sandy Watkins from the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and Jim David from the Chattanooga STEM School as they share information all educators can use to approach STEM in their schools. Learn how schools in Tennessee earn the STEM School Designation and how one school approaches their day-to-day business with an emphasis on the STEM areas.
This webinar is offered free of charge and is appropriate for all educators and school leaders who are focused on teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content.
Please Note: Several intermittent audio issues occur during the first six minutes of this webinar. The issue was resolved and the remainder of the webinar recording is unaffected.
June 7, 2017
10:00-11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Are you adding coaches to your district but not sure where to begin to recruit and hire the best people for the position? Are you wondering how other districts have succeeded in hiring coaches? Look no further! Join the Ayers Institute for an informative webinar with author, Carla Cushman. Learn from Dr. Cushman’s experience starting an instructional coaching program from the ground up, with helpful tips on hiring the right people. Learn what pitfalls to avoid and what to do in order to make the right decisions with this important personnel choice.
May 10, 2017
10:00-11:00 am (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
What does it mean to have conversations about learning that are truly student-centered? How can professional learning communities operate and communicate in effective ways? How can principals find the bright spots of instruction and build upon those? These questions, and a host of others, often rise to the surface as school and district leaders work to find ways to integrate the roles of administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers within a positive school culture.
Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Schools for Murfreesboro City Schools and Don Bartch, Principal at Overall Creek Elementary School share insights, experiences, and practical tips for how to maximize the impact of coaching across a district.
May 12, 2016
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Ever wondered where conflict comes from? What causes conflict in the first place, and how do we handle it once it's there? You don't want to miss the Ayers Institute's next webinar focusing on Difficult Conversations on May 12 at 10:00 am. We will consider the sources of conflict and ways to decide if conflict is productive or not. We will also discuss Susan Scott's framework for handling the difficult conversation. You won't want to miss this positive approach to what many consider to be the most negative element in social interaction--conflict.
May 13, 2015
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CST)
Ayers Leadership Resources
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar Wednesday
View the Webinar Replay
Planning for your summer and fall professional learning offerings for aspiring leaders? Fortifying your syllabi for next year’s educational leadership courses? Organizing a professional learning community for new or aspiring administrators? Join the Ayers Institute for an interactive webinar, highlighting free leadership resources. These videos and activities are aligned to the TEAM Administrator Rubric, TILS, and Wallace Foundation research. Come away from this webinar with new ideas and practical applications for using these high-quality resources. (This webinar is appropriate for K-12 and higher education professionals who work with current or aspiring leaders.)
January 15, 2019
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar
As Tennessee transitions to the edTPA process at the beginning of January 2019, it is likely that educator preparation programs are at various stages of the implementation process. Join this free, interactive webinar, featuring three edTPA seminar coordinators from across the state, to hear the lessons they learned as early adopters of this statewide initiative. Dr. Carla Cushman from Union University, Dr. Sarah Duncan from Lipscomb University, and Ms. Cherie Hook from Tennessee Technological University will share invaluable information and reflections to guide your steps as you support your candidates in the portfolio submission process.
View the Webinar Replay
November 13, 2018
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CST)
Series: Ayers Institute Webinar
The state of Tennessee is replacing the PRAXIS PLT with edTPA on January 1, 2019. Are you wondering how to support teacher candidates through this transition? Join Dr. Sarah Duncan and Karen Marklein as they outline the important changes this new assessment will bring for student teachers and job-embedded candidates beginning with the new year. If you, your school, or your district will be supporting student-teaching or job-embedded candidates, the information in this webinar will benefit you!
View the Webinar Replay