Ayers Institute launches new podcast resource for educators

Kim Chaudoin | 02/15/2022

This month Lipscomb University’s Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation will release the first episode of its new podcast series, Ayers All Access.

Ayers All Access features compelling people, current topics, practical tips and innovative solutions all related to the field of education. Podcasts from the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation are specifically designed to support the growth and success of educators. Each podcast episode features respected experts and experienced practitioners in the field of education. Accompanying each podcast episode is a list of show notes highlighting references and resources mentioned in the episode.

Rachael Milligan, director of the Ayers Institute and assistant dean for program innovation in Lipscomb’s College of Education, said the purpose of this new series is to share practical information and to expand the resources available to educators through the Ayers Institute. 

“I am excited about the opportunity we have through the Ayers All Access podcast to deliver both information and inspiration to our fellow educators both locally and globally,” said Milligan. 

The podcasts are produced by Karen Marklein, director of programs in the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation and assistant professor in the College of Education.

“Whenever we interact with groups of educators through the Ayers Institute, they invariably are eager for more information, ideas, and resources,” said Marklein. “So the All Access podcast is in response to this need and is an extension of the resources, professional development, innovative ideas and other information that the Ayers Institute has to offer teachers.”

Marklein said a variety of formats and topics will be offered as part of the Ayers All Access episodes. Content will include professional learning topics, spotlights on recent authors or publications, “My Why” which features stories of educators and their motivation for teaching, school stories which will take a look at happenings in and around schools and educator’s career experiences, “Ask Me Anything” which provides answers to questions from listeners, “edTech” episodes will feature tools from IGNITE sessions, and an “On the Road” segment, which highlights trends in education that Milligan and Marklein are seeing across Tennessee, along with other content.

Milligan and Marklein co-host the series along with behind-the-scenes help from Forrest Doddington, technology and digital communications specialist in the College of Education, who is the technical producer for the new series. 

The Ayers Institute team uses the latest technology to provide resources to teachers. Doddington said as podcasting has become a popular and more mainstream communication tool over the years, the institute has tapped into that by offering several podcast series.

“Podcasting brings a personal connection, and immediacy, as well as a chance for listeners to be engaged, ask timely questions and to get answers and information they can put to use immediately in their classrooms,” said Doddington. 

Ayers All Access is the latest podcast series produced by the Ayers Institute following the professional learning podcast, Lunch and Learn, My Why: Stories of Inspiration from Educators and Spotlight: Advancements and Achievements in Education. These series are still available and contain downloadable resource guides to be used for personal or group professional learning. Click here for a complete listing of podcast resources. Each new episode of Ayers All Access will include show notes containing additional resources about topics discussed during the show. 

Ayers All Access is the revisioning of the podcast series the institute has produced in the past. All of the archived Lunch and Learn, My Why and Spotlight episodes along with downloadable resource guides are available on edutoolbox.org. Click here for a complete listing of podcast resources. Each new episode of Ayers All Access will include show notes containing additional resources about topics discussed during the show. 

Ayers All Access is available at podcast.ayersinstitute.org or by following or subscribing to the show at any podcast app such as Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Spotify among others. Listeners may submit ideas for topics or guests as well as questions by emailing karen.marklein [at] lipscomb.edu (subject: Ayers%20All%20Access) or tweeting @ayersinstitute.

The Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation is part of the Lipscomb University College of Education. Founded in 2012 with support from the Ayers Foundation, the institute works to provide innovative, professional learning resources to support teachers and leaders across Tennessee and beyond. For more information visit www.lipscomb.edu/ayers.