TSBA: Your Education Source Podcast

In today's episode, Ben Torres, TSBA Assistant Executive Director & General Counsel, and Brittany Massey, TSBA Director of Finance & Member Services, discuss school board member training and provide information as to these training requirements as well as the trainings available through the Tennessee School Boards Association.

In today's episode, Bill Parker, Director of the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission, discusses the importance of financial literacy in grades K-12 and the resources available for school districts when focusing on financial education. Click here  to access a video created by the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission.

In today's episode, Tiffany Kerns, Executive Director of the CMA Foundation & SVP Industry Relations & Philanthropy at the County Music Association, and Franklin Willis, Director of Community Impact at the Country Music Association, discuss the importance of music education in our Tennessee schools and provide resources and recommendations as to how school districts can strengthen their music prog...

In today's episode, we discuss the benefits of BOEconnect, an online meeting platform offered by TSBA. Vijaya Subramani, Board Secretary for the Germantown Municipal Board of Education, highlights the many reasons why she and the Board enjoy utilizing this service and how it has streamlined the board meeting preparation process. Listen today to learn how your Board can start streamlining their pro...

In today's episode, Christy Tennant, Deputy Director of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Division of Investigations, is speaking about the role of the Tennessee Comptroller's Office and how it works with school districts when overseeing school support organizations. Listen today to find out more about the board's role when ensuring these organizations comply with state law. For more info...

In today's episode, Dr. Russell Dyer, Director of Schools; Nate Tucker, Board Chairman; Scott Campbell, Aviation Instructor; and Renny Whittenbarger, Supervisor of CTE, discuss Cleveland City Schools' aviation program, Tango Flight – an innovative educational program that encompasses concepts of aerospace, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and design engineering, with an emphasis on aviation...

In today's episode, Todd Shipley, Director of Fine Arts at the Tennessee Department of Education, discusses the importance of arts education in our Tennessee schools and provides resources and recommendations as to how school districts can strengthen their arts program.

In today's episode, the TSBA Staff Attorneys are back and answering the most asked legal questions received from board members across the state. This version of "Ask the Attorney" focuses solely on questions regarding the law around open meetings. Questions from "what is an open meeting" to "are there any exceptions to this law"  are tackled during today's episode.

During this podcast episode, Candy Morgan, 2023 TSBA President (Maryville); Keys Fillauer, TSBA Immediate Past President (Oak Ridge); Dr. Dale Viox, TSBA President-Elect (Arlington); and Marty Burlison, TSBA Vice President (Tipton County) welcome all new school board members and share words of advice when navigating the first few years of service on the Board. 

Lauren Dickson, Miss Tennessee 2022, discusses her journey on becoming Miss Tennessee and shares why choosing the social impact initiative – Heart for the Hungry: Overcoming Food Insecurity – was so important to her. For any questions about the initiative, Heart for the Hungry, or for more information as to how to book Miss Tennessee to visit your school, please contact lauren.dickson@misstennesse...

Keys Fillauer, 2022 TSBA President & Oak Ridge Board Chair, and Brittany Massey, TSBA Director of Finance & Member Services, discuss the basics of the new and improved boardsmanship award program and describe what board members need to know in order to make the most of this program. Click here to download the Boardsmanship Award Program packet.

Jeff Mayo, Director of Schools of Arlington Community Schools, Kay Williams, Arlington Board Member, and Dr. Dale Viox, Arlington Board Chair, discuss the importance of teacher appreciation within its schools and how these efforts have paid off - Arlington Community Schools has being designated as the #1 Top Workplace in the Memphis-Metro region. Show Notes For more information as to Arlington Com...

Ben Torres, Assistant Executive Director & General Counsel, Emily Warren, Director of Government Relations & Staff Attorney, and Jennifer White, Director of Policy Services & Staff Attorney, discuss how the legal, policy, and government relations departments within TSBA can assist school boards in efficiently governing school districts. For more information as to the services offered at TSBA as we...

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Nancy Keil, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and Alison McArthur, the Director of Community Achieves at Metro Nashville Public Schools, as we discuss food insecurity across the state of Tennessee and how partnerships with organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank can be valuable resources to school districts. While Second Ha...

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Alicia Fuss, Director of Arts Education at the Tennessee Arts Commission, as we discuss the importance of art education in schools. Throughout the episode, Alicia provides information on multiple programs that school districts can utilize when encouraging students to be involved in the arts. Alicia speaks to the benefits of participation in these programs and...

In today's episode, we are speaking with Kay Ward, Reading Buddies and Book Bus Coordinator at Bristol Tennessee City Schools, and Nelson Pyle, Bristol City Schools Board Member, as they discuss the different reading programs at Bristol Tennessee City Schools. Join us as we hear how these programs have benefited students and how the community stepped in to help students succeed. For more informati...

In today's episode, we are talking with the 2021 recipient of the TSBA Award for Excellence in Education Program: the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center (EIC). The EIC offers a unique opportunity for students in grades 10-12 at Williamson County Schools to gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and innovation by starting a business, launching a product, or offering a service. Dr. Jeremy Qu...

With the Tennessee General Assembly in full swing, we thought it would be timely to re-air our podcast episode with Mark Clark, 2020 TSBA President & Fayetteville board member, and Ben Torres, TSBA Assistant Executive Director & General Counsel, as they discuss communicating with legislators and advocating for public education. Mark and Ben discuss the best methods to communicate with legislators...

In today's episode, the TSBA Staff Attorneys are back and answering the most asked legal questions received from board members across the state. This version of "Ask the Attorney" focuses solely on questions regarding the Director of Schools. From hiring the Director of Schools to the proper notice needed when discussing the Director's contract at a board meeting is tackled during today's episode.

In today's episode, Jenna is speaking with Jerry Boyd, Washington County Director of Schools; Tony Roberts, Transportation Supervisor; and Jarrod Adams, Chief Operations Officer as they discuss the concept of zero emission school transportation as well as the steps it took for the district to purchase Tennessee's first electric school bus. Having an electric bus not only paves the way for a more e...

In today's episode, I'm speaking with James Pond, President of the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF), as he discusses the operation behind Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and how GELF aids in the success of the Imagination Library in Tennessee. GELF equips Tennessee's children with books and literacy tools to encourage lifelong learning. GELF has grown from a book-gifting program to a...

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Jill Pierce as she discusses the importance of technology in schools and how it impacts public education. Jill has served in a technology role for multiple school districts and has recently retired from the role as Chief Technology Officer with McMinn County Schools. During this episode, she explains how using technology to address instructional, safety, and a...

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Keys Fillauer, 2021 President-Elect and Board Chairman of the Oak Ridge Board of Education, as he discusses the top attributes needed to be an effective board chairman. The chairman carries a heavy responsibility, and certain skills and actions are required in order for the chairman to conduct his/her duties in an efficient manner.

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Mary Graham, the President and CEO of United Ways of Tennessee and Lead Staff for the Tennessee Afterschool Network, as she discusses the importance of afterschool programs and why the Tennessee Afterschool Network advocates for safe, healthy, and nurturing afterschool experiences for Tennessee students. For more information about this episode, visit the Tenne...

Always a crowd favorite, Special Agent Andy Hendrix, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, recently spoke at TSBA's Summer Law Institute in Gatlinburg about Project iGuardian, an initiative designed to combat the sexual exploitation of children. Based off feedback received, we wanted to re-air our podcast episode with Special Agent Hendrix for those that missed his presentation at the Summer Law I...