TNth Period

Season 2 of the TNth Period continues with a look into a body of research exploring promising practices in strengthening teacher mentorship programs in Tennessee to better prepare aspiring teacher candidates. Lead researcher, Matthew Ronfeldt of the University of Michigan is joined by Kevin Schaff, Director of Research at TDOE, to discuss their long-standing partnership and research findings. We also hear from 4th- grade teacher, Caylor Harrison, (Andrew Jackson Elementary in Kingsport), and TDOE Senior Directors, Michael Deurlein (Educator Licensure and Preparation) and Martha Moore (Educator Effectiveness) as they discuss what the research has meant for policy and practice in Tennessee.

With the unprecedented school closures due to COVID-19, Tennessee educators had to fundamentally alter how they do their jobs. To understand more about how educators across the state have addressed the challenges related to the closures, TERA asked teachers and school leaders to report on their experiences as part of the 2020 Tennessee Educator Survey. We discuss these findings with lead researchers, Susan K. Patrick and UrLeaka Newsome, Westmoreland Elementary Teacher and TDOE Teacher Fellow, Laura Cassetty, and TDOE Chief of Strategy and Data, Mike Hardy.

Kicking off Season 2 of the TNth Period, hosts Erin O'Hara and Laura Booker discuss learnings from TERA's recent regional meetings, including ways Tennessee can better recruit, retain, and support educators of color. Guests include Indira Dammu (founding board member, Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance)and Pam Chapman (Director of Leadership, Tennessee Department of Education).

On Episode 9 of The TNth Period, hosts Erin O'Hara and Laura Booker facilitate a conversation about the landscape of educator professional learning in Tennessee. Guests include Susan Patrick (TERA Postdoctoral Fellow), Robin McClellan (Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction at Sullivan County Schools), and Elizabeth Alves (Assistant Commissioner of Standards and Materials at the Tennessee Department of Education).

On Episode 8 of The TNth Period, hosts Erin O'Hara and Laura Booker engage in a conversation with education leaders across the state about school safety in Tennessee schools. Guests include Zac Stone (Senior Research Analyst at the Tennessee Department of Education), Greg Wallace (Supervisor of Safety and Mental Health in Johnson City Schools), and Mike Herrmann (Executive Director of School Safety and Transportation at the Tennessee Department of Education).

Episode 7 of The TNth Period discusses TERA's latest research exploring retention patterns among teachers of color and possible explanations for the patterns we're seeing. Lead researcher, Jason A. Grissom, details the major findings from the research and possible implications. Digging into these issues further, other guests include Franklin Willis (a long-time music educator at Andrew Jackson Elementary in Nashville and a member of the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance), Laura Delgado (Program Director for the Pionero Scholars Program at Lipscomb University and a board member of the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance), and Sylvia Flowers (Executive Director of Educator Talent at TDOE).

On Episode 6 of The TNth Period, we dig into results from the 2018 Tennessee Educator Survey. Isaiah Bailey, Strategic Data Analyst at the Tennessee Department of Education, shares more about some of the survey's key takeaways. We are also joined by Millington Elementary School Principal, Kathy Wilson, and TDOE Director of Educator Engagement, Cathy Pressnell, who reflect on the importance of teacher voice and how the survey impacts their work with educators.

On Episode 5 of the TNth Period, Gary Henry of Vanderbilt University discusses TERA's recently released brief looking at results from the five-year evaluation of Tennessee's Achievement School District (ASD) and iZone Schools. We are also joined by Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner, Candice McQueen, and the new superintendent of the ASD, Sharon Griffin, as they reflect on the past five years of school improvement efforts and look ahead to next steps for the state.

Episode 4 of The TNth Period explores "How Principals Drive School Success," TERA's latest brief on school leadership. TERA Faculty Director, Jason Grissom, digs into the brief's key findings and previews follow-up research. We also talk talk about school leader recruitment, retention, and development with Millard House, Director of Schools for Clarksville-Montgomery County and Lyle Aishlie, Deputy Commissioner of College, Career and Technical Education and Teachers and Leaders at the Tennessee Department of Education.

Episode 3 of The TNth Period reviews the department's third annual report on the Read to be Ready initiative, First Steps: A Report on Elementary Grades Reading in Tennessee. We talk to Molly Auger, Project Director with TNTP, Beth Davidson, a 2nd grade teacher at Martin Primary School in Weakley County, and Vicki Kirk, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer at TDOE. Learn more about our guests' favorite children's books, key takeaways from the first two years of Read to be Ready implementation, and the department's next steps to support quality instruction in early grades reading.

Episode 2 of the TNth Period dives into a new TERA brief, "Exploring Teacher Improvement in Tennessee." Results from TERA's latest brief show that, on average, teachers in Tennessee continue to develop throughout their careers, and perhaps improved more rapidly than teachers in other states in recent years. Tune in here as we discuss these findings and more with author John Papay of Brown University, Leticia Skae (Teacher Literacy Development Specialist at Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet School in Nashville) and Paul Fleming (Assistant Commissioner of Teachers and Leaders at the Tennessee Department of Education).

The first episode reviews the department’s recent report, Assessing Progress: Four Years of Learnings from RTI Implementation in Tennessee. We talk to Karen Jensen, Director of RTI2 and Dr. Michelle Brock-Demps, principal of Minglewood Elementary School in Clarksville Montgomery County. Tune in here to learn more about RTI2 and to find out what connection Laura has to a famous Tennessee celebrity.