My Why

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

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."

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

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."

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

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."

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

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."

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

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. Deborah Boyd, Dean of Lipscomb University's College of Education in Nashville, Tennessee.

• "Teaching and learning feeds my curiosity."
• "Teaching and learning changes lives."