"Who IS My Favorite Teacher? A Special Edition Teacher Appreciation Episode!"

"Who IS My Favorite Teacher? A Special Edition Teacher Appreciation Episode!"

TAA is celebrating the power of great teaching with a special edition of the TAA Talks Podcast in honor of the 2026 TAA Foundation Teacher Appreciation Donation Sensation. Host Kami Lunsford, TAA Director of Educational Programs and Events, ponders the question Who IS my favorite teacher? Rather than tackling the impossible alone, this episode leans into the reflections from arts educators whose lives were shaped by teachers who saw their potential, nurtured their creativity, and changed their paths forever. These personal tributes highlight the lasting impact of arts education and the mentors who make it meaningful. This episode is dedicated to the TAA Foundation Board of Directors—many of whom were teachers or began their careers in the classroom—whose ongoing commitment helps sustain and grow the kind of inspiration found in arts education classrooms every day. Featured guests include Virginia Nix, a visual art teacher at Kenrose Elementary School in Brentwood, TN; Kim Warnette, Visual Art STEAM Studio Lab Director at Rozelle Elementary School for Performing Arts in Memphis, TN; Roland Wilson, retired choral director and current PhD candidate at the University of Memphis; and SaraLyn Archibald, theatre and communications teacher at Arlington High School in Arlington, TN. Each brings a unique perspective and a powerful story of gratitude. Listeners will be reminded that while it may be impossible to choose just one favorite teacher, it’s never too late to say thank you.

"Arts Educators Bring Great Assets to the Table: How Leadership with An Arts Lens is a Superpower" with Kiera Crite

Join Kami Lunsford, TAA Director of Educational Programs and Events, and Kiera Crite, elementary music teacher from Franklin, TN, as they explore the great assets arts educators bring to school leadership, and how leading through an arts lens is a superpower! They'll also take a closer look at what the Arts Leadership & Administration Track at the TAA Summer Institute has to offer administrators, arts supervisors, and arts educators who are interested in leadership and advocacy.  | Kiera Crite was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where music was ingrained in her life from the very beginning. Both of her parents worked in the live entertainment department at Opryland USA Theme Park—her father as a sound engineer and her mother as a vocalist—surrounding her with talented artists who inspired the level of excellence she pursues in her own musical journey. Crite began piano lessons in California as a child and continued through graduate school. Throughout her education, she remained active in music programs, including school choir, church choirs, handbell choirs, and piano competitions. Crite earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Spelman College in 2005, where she performed and traveled with the Spelman College Glee Club. She later attended Tennessee State University, earning a Master of Science in Music Education and completing her teacher certification. After graduation, Crite began teaching in Metro Nashville Public Schools, where she taught elementary general music as well as high school chorus and class piano. She currently teaches elementary general music at Johnson Elementary in the Franklin Special District in Franklin, Tennessee, and finds great joy in reaching children through music and changing lives through arts education. She models her philosophy of teaching after the motto of Spelman College: “It’s my choice, and I choose to change the world—one musician at a time.”

"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 educator, his early work as a teaching assistant in special-education classrooms shaped his approach to teaching and affirmed his belief in art as a vehicle for change, growth, and self-expression. Taylor previously taught in Memphis-Shelby County Schools before joining Metro Nashville Public Schools, where he now works with elementary students, guiding them through a wide range of artistic mediums while encouraging them to tell their own stories through their work. An experimental artist, Taylor’s personal practice spans everything from cartooning to weaving on canvas. He describes his work as “conversation starters,” beginning with his own perspective and inviting others to contribute their thoughts. Drawing inspiration from everyday life and his experiences in the classroom, Taylor is passionate about sharing his love for artistic exploration and helping students see new possibilities through art.

"Rooted in Relationships: How Collaboration Can Foster Student & Community Investment" With Paula Medlin

Grab 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 Morristown, Tennessee, she grew up in a deeply musical family and began her own musical journey at an early age. She earned her degrees in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Over the course of her career, Paula taught K–12 music in both Knox and Anderson Counties and held numerous church music positions. She ultimately found her greatest joy in working with emerging high school musicians. She believed deeply in the transformative power of music, not only as an art form but also as a guiding force to help young people navigate life’s challenges. Since retiring from full-time teaching, Paula has remained actively involved in the Tennessee Arts Academy (TAA) community, volunteering as a TAA Ambassador, and is the Trio Track Coordinator for the TAA Summer Institute. When she is not working with TAA, she is traveling whenever she can or working with her husband, Ray, in the family tax practice. She also enjoys singing with local church and community choirs and has recently discovered a love for needlepoint.

“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 James Madison University, Kathy brought both technical skill and a real-world mindset to her creative classroom. Though many might shy away from teaching middle school, Kathy found her calling in the curious, energetic, and often unpredictable world of grades 6-8. She actively supported student participation in events such as the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville and the Mid-South Scholastic Art Competitions & Awards. She also made sure she embraced the "crazy times" of middle school life, creating a safe and inspiring space where students could explore their creativity and discover their place of belonging. In addition to her work in visual art, Coffey was a passionate supporter of all the arts, collaborating closely with music and theatre colleagues to support school productions, concerts, and arts-focused field trips. She believed deeply in exposing students to the full spectrum of creative experiences—from professional performances and exhibitions to potential careers and college pathways in the arts.   A long-time supporter of the Tennessee Arts Academy, Kathy is a proud member of the TAA Alumni Association and currently serves as a TAA Ambassador, volunteering her time and energy to support arts education across the state. Now enjoying retirement in Oak Ridge, she and her husband, Mike, spend their time traveling, scuba diving, and hiking the trails with their beloved golden retrievers, Bear and Annie.