My Why

Explore the motivation behind Mr. Eric Bowman's passion for excellence for every kid, in every classroom, every day. Students need to feel loved, safe, and respected so their potential can truly shine. "Let your light shine before others."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Mr. Eric Bowman, the 2020 Mid-Cumberland and Middle Tennessee Principal of the Year from Hendersonville, Tennessee. Eric has 16 years of experience as an educator including as a social studies teacher, district evaluator, assistant principal, and now is in his 4th year as a middle school principal. The middle school he leads has twice been recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education as a 'Reward School.' "Let your light shine before others." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Karen Marklein Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Mrs. Melissa Miller, the 2019 Tennessee Teacher of the Year and an Elementary Teacher in the Franklin, Tennessee. Melissa is a National Board-Certified Teacher with 20 years of experience. She has the opportunity to inform education policy at the state level as a member of the Tennessee Commissioner of Education's Teacher Advisory Council. "What we do changes the world!" SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Mrs. Melissa Miller's passion for giving every child, every chance, every day” to feel and to become successful. "What we do changes the world!"

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Mr. Greg O'Loughlin, English/Humanities Teacher and Executive Director of The Educators' Cooperative in Nashville, Tennessee. Greg holds a BA in Communications from SUNY Empire, an MAT from Belmont University, and was a fellow in the Summer Institute at Columbia University's Klingenstein Center. "Teaching increases our capacity for empathy." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Mr. Greg O'Loughlin's drive to foster student engagement and teacher collaboration. "Teaching increases our capacity for empathy."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Mr. Steve Lindsey, principal at Lexington High School in Henderson County, Tennessee. Mr. Lindsey has both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Prior to becoming an administrator, he taught chemistry and physical education and was an assistant coach for 9 years as well as head football coach for 9 years. Mr. Lindsey has been a principal at both the elementary and high school levels. He is married to Melissa and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. "Pray daily and follow God's plan." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Mr. Steve Lindsey's desire to seek and attain his daily purpose. "Pray daily and follow God's plan."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Roger Wiemers, a professor in the Doctor of Education Program at Lipscomb University. Dr. Wiemers is originally from San Antonio, Texas and has lived all over the world focusing on missions and education. He enjoys teaching and has a love for the philosophical and reflective approaches to teaching and learning. "Our messy lives teach us grace." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Dr. Roger Wiemers' passion for inquiry-based learning. "Our messy lives teach us grace."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Mrs. Cicely Woodard, a middle school Math teacher and the 2018 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Woodard was a member of the inaugural National Public Education Foundation Teacher Cabinet, the Tennessee Teacher Advisory Council, the Tennessee Assessment Task Force, and coordinator of the Tennessee Educator Fellowship with the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE). "To prepare students for their futures." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Mrs. Cicely Woodard's dedication to the field of education. "To prepare students for their futures."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jarred Amato, a high school English teacher and founder of the Project LIT Community. Dr. Amato, a two-time MNPS Blue Ribbon teacher, has served in several teacher-leadership roles over the past nine years in the classroom. He is an avid reader, writer, and speaker who enjoys working and connecting with fellow educators to create a vibrant literacy culture in our schools and communities. "Empowering students as readers and leaders." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Dr. Jarred Amato's dedication to the field of education. "Empowering students as readers and leaders."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Reva Chatman-Buckley, currently serving as an Associate Professor of Graduate Research & Research Coordination at Lipscomb University's College of Education in Nashville, Tennessee. Her career has also included classroom teaching, school administration, and district-level leadership. Reva is passionate about the importance of community building and a focus on the success of each student within educational settings. She is the author of the book Fresh Roses: Teachers as Newcomers: Learning the Ropes at a New School. "I was predestined to teach." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Dr. Reva Chatman-Buckley's dedication to the field of education. "I was predestined to teach."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Carla Cushman, Director of the Master's Degree Programs in Education and Associate Professor of Education at Union University in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She is the co-author of the book How to Build an Instructional Coaching Program for Maximum Capacity. "I Teach to make a difference." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Dr. Carla Cushman's dedication to the field of education. "I Teach to make a difference."

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Carrie Abood, Lower School Principal of Portsmouth Christian Academy in Dover, New Hampshire and former Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Lipscomb University. "Teaching is an incredible gift." SHOW NOTES: A professional learning guide document is available for this podcast episode. Use it for individually or with your professional learning community. CREDITS: Producer & Host - Rachael Milligan Director - Julia Osteen Engineer & Editor - Forrest Doddington

Explore the motivation behind Dr. Carrie Abood's dedication to the field of education. "Teaching is an incredible gift."

Explore the motivation behind Dr. Deborah Boyd's dedication to the field of education. "Teaching and learning feeds my curiosity." "Teaching and learning changes lives."