Shows
TAA Talks"Making Magic On Purpose: How the Arts Create Lasting Impact"Close out the first semester with Kami as she chats with Chris Taylor, TAA Visual Art facilitator, about the real magic that happens in arts education classes every day in this episode - "Making Magic On Purpose: How the Arts Make a Lasting Impact." It's a great listen as you recharge and set intention for the second half of the school year!Christopher Taylor was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and now lives in Nashville, where he teaches art at Fall-Hamilton Elementary School. Although he did not initially set out to become an art...
2025-12-221h 08
TAA Talks"Rooted in Relationships: How Collaboration Can Foster Student & Community Investment" With Paula MedlinGrab a cup of coffee and join Kami as she talks with Paula Medlin, the Trio Track Coordinator for the TAA Summer Institute. They'll discuss how it really is "all about relationships" when it comes to making an impact in the arts classroom and school community. Paula gives insights on how the trio track is beneficial to everyone who works in education, and why this year's TAA Summer Institute is one you will not want to miss! Paula Medlin is a retired choral director with a lifelong passion for music and education. A native of M...
2025-09-301h 04
TAA Talks“The Importance of Arts to the Middle School Mind: Creating Space for Belonging”Join Kami as she interviews special guest Kathy Coffey, a TAA Alumni Association member and TAA Ambassador, about the wild and wonderful world of middle school. They reflect on the tumultuous time for students and how arts education gives them tools to embrace change and express their individuality. Kathy Coffey is a retired visual art educator whose 23-year career left a lasting impression on thousands of East Tennessee students across Anderson and Knox counties. Before entering the world of education, Kathy worked as a graphic designer. With a degree in Comprehensive Design from J...
2025-05-2737 min
TAA Talks"The Fun is in the Work: How Theatre Education Promotes Citizenship & Personal Growth"Join Kami as she interviews special guest Pollyanna Parker about all the many resources she has learned from TAA year-round programs over the years and how they shaped her career as a theatre educator. This time of reflection will surely refresh your focus as you finish up a year of lasting connections made in your arts classrooms! Pollyanna Parker is an experienced educator with more than three decades of service in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, where she has taught Theatre, Speech, English, Video Production, and Journalism. A dedicated mentor and leader, she has directed n...
2025-04-241h 09
TAA Talks“Art Can Build Confidence: Helping Students Realize Their Power to Respond as an Individual” with Emily McEneelyJoin us as Emily McEneely shares how arts education classes are a big opportunity to build community and confidence and how this can be important for both students and teachers. She gives tips on how to make your department more valued and recognized and reflects on how collaboration is key for personal progress.Emily McEneely teaches PK-3 visual art at Sam Houston Elementary School in Maryville, TN. She also serves as the East Tennessee Regional Representative for the TAA Alumni Association. Emily is a passionate advocate for integrating the arts into everyday life. Her artistic...
2025-03-2344 min
TAA Talks"1% Better Every Day: How to Create "Buy-In" With Students & Administration" with Kerry VaughnJoin Kami Lunsford as she talks shop with Kerry Vaughn who has some tips for cultivating a relationship with your administration and staff, some must-have resources and tools for the middle school band room, and wisdom about getting our students to commit to progress on a daily basis. Kerry Vaughn is a seasoned band director at Spring Station Middle School in Spring Hill, TN, where he has made a lasting impact for over 12 years. Vaughn has dedicated his career to shaping the musical education of students throughout Williamson County. An accomplished trombonist, he holds an Education Specialist (Ed.S...
2025-02-2042 min
TAA Talks"What We Do Is Magic: How Connectivity Can Be Self Care For Arts Educators & Their Students" with Erica Holmes DarrErica Holmes Darr encourages us to "take a breath" and explore how building community can make meaningful change in our creative spaces! Erica is a passionate and dedicated music educator who began her teaching career in 2003 after earning a degree in Vocal Music Education from Austin Peay State University. Throughout her career, Darr has taught a wide range of music classes to students in grades 5-12, and currently serves as the 7th and 8th grade chorus teacher at Freedom Middle School in Franklin, TN, where she also instructs general music classes that include guitar, percussion, songwriting, and music production. I...
2025-01-1655 min
TAA Talks"The Acceptance Piece: How Art Education Can Change Their World" with David ReynoldsDavid Reynolds, TAA Art Facilitator, shares how art gives kids "life tools" that can help them create a better world. He also gives some really great advice for new & pre-service teachers! David has taught for twelve years and is currently the Elementary Visual Arts teacher at Moore Elementary in the Franklin Special Schools District in Franklin, TN. He serves as Commissioner for the City of Franklin Public Arts Commission, Association Representative for the FSSDEA and TEA, and Tennessee Arts Academy Facilitator. David has presented at the national and state levels, serves as FSSD District representative, and received the D...
2023-11-2059 min
TAA Talks"The Power of Creative Choice is Priceless" with Darlene Tanner, TAA Alumni Association West TN Regional RepDarlene Tanner, one of our West TN Regional Representatives for the TAA Alumni Association, encourages us to unlock the power of choice in fine arts classes! She is a visual art educator who teaches K-5th Grades at University School of Jackson in Jackson, TN. Born to missionary parents, she grew up in Japan, and her journey led her to Tennessee where she studied art at Union University. She and her husband David have raised three children and a llama business, served as Master Gardeners in their community, and built a geodesic dome!
2022-11-0437 min
TAA Talks"Celebrating Failure with Your Students" with Michelle Tripp, TAA Alumni Association Middle TN Regional RepMichelle Tripp, TAA Alumni Association Middle TN Regional Representative, reflects on the power of theatre education and shares some fruitful finds that make performances easier for directors in 2022! Michelle grew up in the Middle Tennessee area and now lives in Murfreesboro. She will begin her 25th year of teaching this upcoming school year and has taught theatre, film, and speech at Page High School in Franklin for the past 14 years. When she is not directing a school or community theatre production, she enjoys spending time with her family and experimenting in the kitchen on new dishes.
2022-06-2033 min
TAA Talks"Letting Go to Grow" with William Bodley, TAA Alumni Association West TN Regional RepWilliam Bodley, Jr., TAA Alumni Association West TN Regional Representative, reflects on the 2021-2022 school year, and shares with us what strategies he's keeping and which ones he's letting go. William has served as the band director at Treadwell Middle School in Memphis, Tennessee for nine years. Originally from Mobile, AL, he attended Alabama A&M University and continued his education at the University of Memphis studying saxophone. After volunteering at middle and high schools during his time as a performance major, he realized he loved teaching and decided to plant roots in Memphis as an educator. William is...
2022-04-1423 min
Voices from the Classroom: The State Teachers of the Year PodcastS2. Ep10: Let Go to Grow - Kami Lunsford, 2021 Tennessee Teacher of the Year[ Music ]>> Hey, everyone. Sarah Brown Wessling here from the Council of Chief State School Officers, National Teacher of the Year Program and I'm excited to introduce Voices from the Classroom, the State Teacher of the Year Podcast. CCSSO's National Teacher of the Year Program provides a platform for exceptional educators to elevate issues that affect teachers and their students, expand their leadership roles and inform policy and practice. I was named National Teacher of the Year in 2010 and since then, I've been committed to sharing the stories and elevating the voices of the State...
2021-11-1023 min
Voices from the Classroom: The State Teachers of the Year PodcastS2. Ep10: Let Go to Grow - Kami Lunsford, 2021 Tennessee Teacher of the Year[ Music ]>> Hey, everyone. Sarah Brown Wessling here from the Council of Chief State School Officers, National Teacher of the Year Program and I'm excited to introduce Voices from the Classroom, the State Teacher of the Year Podcast. CCSSO's National Teacher of the Year Program provides a platform for exceptional educators to elevate issues that affect teachers and their students, expand their leadership roles and inform policy and practice. I was named National Teacher of the Year in 2010 and since then, I've been committed to sharing the stories and elevating the voices of the State Teachers...
2021-11-1023 min
Main and Mulberry: Her TownFind Your Voice and Use It - Kami Lunsford, Tennessee Teacher of the Year (2021)
2021-09-2133 min