Govs Teach Unplugged

On this episode of Govs Teach Unplugged, host Megan Simpson welcomes Dr. Joanne Philhower. Dr. Philhower is an assistant professor at Austin Peay State University, where she teaches students seeking initial licensure education degrees. 

Dr. Philhower discusses her experiences at Austin Peay State University working with traditional, nontraditional and military-affiliated students. She also expands on her passion for assessment and how that extends beyond tests.

If you're interested in shifting your assessment mindset or learning more about the key skill sets that military veterans bring to teaching, this episode is for you! 

Dive Deeper: 

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠

APSU Military & Veterans Affairs Division

Assessment: It Doesn’t Have to Be Quiet or Completed Alone

Enhancing Education Using Student Feedback for Curriculum Mapping Development

Austin Peay honors faculty for excellence during annual awards ceremony

M.A.Ed. in Educational Leadership Studies

APSU’s Full Spectrum Learning introduces Mobile Sensory Carts

Student Tennessee Education Association

On this episode of Govs Teach Unplugged, host Megan Simpson welcomes Jimmy Zambrano-Menard. Jimmy is a senior in the Grow Your Own Teacher Residency Program at Austin Peay State University, set to graduate in August 2026.

Jimmy discusses his experience in the Grow Your Own program – the first federally registered teacher apprenticeship in the nation. As a nontraditional student, Jimmy shares how the program enabled him to complete his teaching degree.

If you want to learn more about the world of teacher apprenticeships, this episode is eye-opening for educators and non-educators alike.

Dive Deeper: 

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education

⁠APSU Grow Your Own Teacher Residency

McConnell Named Impact Academy Fellow

Leadership CMCSS

New Faculty Publication

Tennessee Lookout Commentary

On this episode of Govs Teach Unplugged, host Megan Simpson welcomes Megan Schneck. A two-time award winner in the Eriksson College of Education — recognized as an Outstanding Undergraduate Student in 2025 and an Outstanding Graduate Student in 2026 — Megan recently completed her first year teaching third grade at Liberty Elementary School in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. She earned both her bachelor's degree in education (K-5) and her master's degree in reading from Austin Peay, and this spring she took her scholarship to the national stage as a presenter at the National Social Science Association conference in Las Vegas. From student to teacher to researcher, Megan's journey is a testament to the power of finding your place.

Dive Deeper: 

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠

APSU Master of Arts in Education: Reading

The Six-Minute Solution: A Reading Fluency Program

National Social Science Association

APSU receives $50K Google grant to expand STEM education in rural Middle Tennessee

Bridging distances: Reflections on STEM education in Suriname’s interior

State Board of Education Announces Educator Advisory Team

Beyond Accommodations: Building Belonging for Autistic College Students

Full Spectrum Learning Admissions Process

On this episode, host Megan Simpson sits down with Dr. Christi Maldonado, associate dean of assessment and accreditation and assistant professor in the Eriksson College of Education.

Dr. Maldonado brings more than 20 years of experience in public education to the conversation, including 15 years as an assistant principal in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. Now, she helps prepare the next generation of school leaders through Austin Peay's Master of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership Studies program — the university's second-largest graduate program.

The discussion covers everything from what makes the program unique to Dr. Maldonado's role in a historic achievement: the U.S. Department of Labor's recent approval of the first-ever National Guideline Standards for K-12 Principal Apprenticeships. She also shares candid advice for teachers considering the leap into administration.

Whether you're a classroom teacher eyeing a leadership role or just curious about what it takes to run a school, this episode offers an inside look at the pathway from teacher to principal.

Dive Deeper:

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠

APSU Master of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership Studies

Principal Apprenticeships: 2026 National Guideline Standards

New U.S. Department of Labor Standards for Principal Apprenticeships Amplify Educator Pipeline

Eriksson College of Education celebrates achievements at annual ceremony

Tennessee Educational Leadership Journal Latest Issue

A Decade After the Passage of ‘Say Dyslexia’ Bill, Confusion Still Persists

On this episode of Govs Teach Unplugged, host Megan Simpson sits down with Mollie Scruggs, a junior elementary education major who is proving that leadership doesn't wait for a diploma. A native of Columbia, Tennessee, and a "legacy Gov," Mollie shares what it was like following in her father’s footsteps to Austin Peay while carving out a path uniquely her own through faith and service.

The conversation dives into Mollie’s extensive campus involvement, including her time as a Resident Assistant and her leadership as the President of Austin Peay’s Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA) chapter. Mollie discusses the lessons she has learned about teamwork and delegation, her experiences at the recent STEA state conference in Nashville, and her inspiring plan to use her education degree for overseas missions work after graduation.

Whether she is sharing advice on why students should lean on their professors or discussing her love for coffee and Gilmore Girls, Mollie’s story is a testament to how passion and preparation can transform the future of education.

Dive Deeper:

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠APSU K-5 Education

Licensure Bachelor’s Degree Program

APSU Student Tennessee Education Association

APSU Full Spectrum Learning

On this episode of Govs Teach Unplugged, host Megan Simpson sits down with Dr. Terri Clark, who joined the Eriksson College of Education in Fall 2025 as the lead for the nursing educator concentration in the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program. As the first-ever graduate of the concentration she now leads, Dr. Clark shares her inspiring journey from nursing to higher education. She discusses how her philosophy of being "clear and kind" has guided her through 20 years of experience in hospital work, community health, and teaching.

The heart of the conversation dives into Dr. Clark’s research on technostress and the intersection of health education and work-life balance. She introduces her original "Balance Framework," which is designed to help busy professionals manage the stress of constant connectivity through seven simple strategies.

Listeners will also get a personal look at Dr. Clark’s life outside the classroom, from her "mini farm" in Tennessee — complete with horses, dwarf goats, and a "grand puppy" — to her early days as a theater major with dreams of starring on Days of Our Lives. Whether she is hosting the Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing podcast or mentoring future nurses, Dr. Clark’s story is a powerful testament to how education can enlarge one's vision for life and create ripples of change in the world.

Dive Deeper:

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠

APSU Doctor of Education: Nurse Educator Concentration

APSU Full Spectrum Learning

Dr. John McConnell named dean of APSU's Eriksson College of Education

Austin Peay professor publishes new volume of teaching labor history

Audiobooks surge as travel favorite, helping fuel debate over what 'counts' as reading

Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing Podcast

Work–Life Balance in an Online World: Simple Strategies for Managing Technostress

It's time for the Season 2 premiere of Govs Teach Unplugged as Megan welcomes Dr. Erica Boone, the newly appointed director of the Center for Rural Education.

An Austin Peay alumna (B.S. ’05, Ed.D. ’25) with over 16 years of teaching experience in rural and suburban districts, Dr. Boone shares her mission to empower rural educators through innovative training, vital resources, and strong partnerships.

This episode dives into the center's major upcoming initiatives, including the 2026 Rural Education Conference themed "Rooted in Rural: Cultivating Place, Partnerships, and Possibilities." Dr. Boone highlights how this year's virtual event on March 16 will expand to include international perspectives and flexible pre-recorded sessions for busy educators.

From her student-centered philosophy to her favorite "hidden gems" in Carroll County — including the best local spots for pancakes and hot wings — get to know the heart behind the center's leadership.

Dive Deeper:

APSU Eriksson College of Education

APSU Center for Rural Education

Dr. Erica Boone: Faculty Bio

APSU Principal Registered Apprenticeship Program

Grow Your Own Grant Announcement

Rylei Johnson (Teen Tennessee Petite)

APSU Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment first-time pass rate

Dr. Terri Clark Journal Article Publication

In the Season 1 wrap-up, Megan welcomes Dr. Allison Oliver, assistant professor of special education at Austin Peay State University. Drawing on her 17 years in public education, Dr. Oliver explores two transformative topics: ethical AI implementation and the future of special education.

Discover how Dr. Oliver views AI as both a powerful teaching tool and a potential challenge, advocating for its use as a "thought partner" rather than a replacement for authentic learning. Learn about her new AI workshop for undergraduates that models responsible usage while promoting deeper thinking.

The conversation shifts to Tennessee's critical special education teacher shortage, with Dr. Oliver — whose research focuses on educational equity and teacher development — passionately describing special educators as "super teachers" who close opportunity gaps. She outlines essential strategies for districts and teacher preparation programs, including APSU's revamped approaches, to better support and retain these vital educators.

Dr. Oliver also shares how her commitment to serving marginalized populations through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. aligns with her educational mission.

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠

More about Dr. Allison Oliver

Explore APSU’s Undergraduate Special Education Degree Options

Explore APSU’s Graduate Special Education Degree Options

Association of Teacher Educators Teacher Educator Standards, (3rd Edition)

Call for Proposals: Rural Education Conference

Find Upcoming Events on Govs Connect

Dr. Zack Barnes Quoted in Newsweek

APSU GOVing Tuesday

Meagan Potts, community engagement coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement and Sustainability at Austin Peay State University, joins Megan on this month’s episode. Meagan brings a unique blend of student support and gaming culture to her role in Student Affairs.

She oversees critical initiatives, such as Alternative Break Trips and the Engage Living-Learning Community, where she strives to treat college students as young adults navigating some of life's most significant transitions. She earned a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Instructional Technology from the Eriksson College of Education, which equipped her with practical tools and strategies she uses in her day-to-day work.

As advisor for the Govs Gaming student organization, Meagan bridges her professional and personal worlds. She shares more about the growth of esports at APSU, including a recent tournament victory against Middle Tennessee State University.

Dive Deeper:

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠

Office of Community Engagement and Sustainability

Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Instructional Technology 

⁠Govs Gaming Student Organization⁠

Austin Peay marks esports debut with tiebreaker win over MTSU

Call for Proposals: Rural Education Conference

APSU Full Spectrum Learning

Advocates for Autism Student Organization 

Generative AI Use Among Saudi and Korean Language Learners in Higher Education: Examination Through a Modified TAM Framework

Students’ perceptions of generative AI in EFL writing: Strategies, self-efficacy, satisfaction, and behavioural intention

On this episode, Megan chats with Dr. Jena Collins, a new Full Spectrum Learning staff member and August 2025 doctoral graduate of the Eriksson College of Education at Austin Peay State University. Dr. Collins discusses her experience in special education and role in supporting neurodivergent students at Austin Peay, the rich opportunities for research and mentoring available through the doctoral program, and suggestions for inclusive and accessible field trip options. 

Dive Deeper:

⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠

Dr. Zack Barnes Quoted in HuffPost

Join us for our Homecoming Brunch

Meet Dr. Jena Collins

APSU Full Spectrum Learning

APSU Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Program

Plan Your Field Trip to Leadville, Colorado