Govs Teach Unplugged

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'...

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 ...

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&rsquo...

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 k...

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...

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 t...

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 ...

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 inclus...

On this episode, Megan chats with Amanda Bradley, a new reading instructor in the Eriksson College of Education at Austin Peay State University. Amanda discusses her previous experience as a student at Austin Peay and her extensive experience as a teacher in the Cheatham County and Clarksville-Montgomery County school districts in Tennessee. 

Amanda provides tips and strategies for ELL and reading teachers and shares some of he...

On this episode, we chat with Kristen Johnson, a current student in the Grow Your Own Teacher Residency Program at Austin Peay State University. Kristen is set to graduate in August 2025, after which she will continue her dedicated work as a teacher at Norman Smith Elementary.

Kristen highlights the immense benefits of the Grow Your Own program and candidly discusses the highlights of her teacher apprenticeship, including the strong...

Dr. Lisa Barron served as the interim dean of the Eriksson College of Education, concluding her tenure in June 2025 after a 15-year career at Austin Peay State University. Dr. Barron is a nationally recognized expert on teacher apprenticeships, as Austin Peay State University and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System worked together to launch the Grow Your Own Teacher Residency, which became the first federally registered...

Dr. Barbara Tucker is the technical services director in the Office of Information Technology at Austin Peay State University. Dr. Tucker holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and an MAED in Curriculum and Instruction from the Eriksson College of Education, embodying the university's commitment to lifelong learning. With over 15 years at APSU, she discusses her journey from student worker to IT leader and highlights the increasi...

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, we’re joined by Emmanuel Mejeun, Director of Austin Peay’s Full Spectrum Learning (FSL) Program. Originally from Haiti, Emmanuel’s journey from student to leader has helped shape FSL into a standout support system for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In this episode, Emmanuel shares how his personal story fuels his professional mission, how FSL empowers neurodivergent stu...

Dr. Noelle Cannon, director of the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) at Austin Peay State University, joins us to discuss her impactful work in providing professional development and support to early childhood educators across Tennessee. Learn about TECTA's free orientations and tuition assistance scholarships that help individuals achieve their educational goals, from CDA credentials to advanced degrees. Dr. Cann...

In this compelling conversation, we sit down with Dr. Cheryl Lambert, department chair of Teaching and Learning and Coordinator of the Center for Rural Education at Austin Peay State University. Dr. Lambert shares her journey from rural roots to higher education leadership and discusses the connection between rural communities and educational advancement.

Dive Deeper:

APSU Center for Rural Education

APSU Eriksson College of Education

D...