Blending Legacy, Leadership and a Higher Calling with Mollie Scruggs

Setting the Standard for Principal Preparation with Dr. Christi Maldonado

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 through Austin Peay's Master of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership Studies program — the university's second-largest graduate program. The discussion covers everything from what makes the program unique to Dr. Maldonado's role in a historic achievement: the U.S. Department of Labor's recent approval of the first-ever National Guideline Standards for K-12 Principal Apprenticeships. She also shares candid advice for teachers considering the leap into administration. Whether you're a classroom teacher eyeing a leadership role or just curious about what it takes to run a school, this episode offers an inside look at the pathway from teacher to principal. Dive Deeper: ⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠ [https://www.apsu.edu/education/] APSU Master of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership Studies [https://www.apsu.edu/programs/graduate/education-educational-leadership-studies.php] Principal Apprenticeships: 2026 National Guideline Standards [https://www.thepathwaysalliance.org/principal-apprenticeship-ngs] New U.S. Department of Labor Standards for Principal Apprenticeships Amplify Educator Pipeline [https://edprepmatters.aacte.org/new-u-s-department-of-labor-standards-for-principal-apprenticeships-amplify-educator-pipeline/] Eriksson College of Education celebrates achievements at annual ceremony [https://www.apsu.edu/news/news-images/apsu-eriksson-college-awards-ceremony-achievements.php] Tennessee Educational Leadership Journal Latest Issue [https://aspire.apsu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/cf5f5c57-3bc0-4aa2-b7b5-ca8c7a881d19/content] A Decade After the Passage of ‘Say Dyslexia’ Bill, Confusion Still Persists [https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/citylimits/say-dyslexia-bill-confusion-tennessee/article_41d63906-6d11-46e8-9631-fe8018ed433c.html]

Blending Legacy, Leadership and a Higher Calling with Mollie Scruggs

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’s extensive campus involvement, including her time as a Resident Assistant and her leadership as the President of Austin Peay’s Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA) chapter. Mollie discusses the lessons she has learned about teamwork and delegation, her experiences at the recent STEA state conference in Nashville, and her inspiring plan to use her education degree for overseas missions work after graduation. Whether she is sharing advice on why students should lean on their professors or discussing her love for coffee and Gilmore Girls, Mollie’s story is a testament to how passion and preparation can transform the future of education. Dive Deeper: ⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠ [https://www.apsu.edu/education/]APSU K-5 Education [https://www.apsu.edu/programs/undergraduate/education-interdisciplinary-studies-k-5.php] Licensure Bachelor’s Degree Program [https://www.apsu.edu/programs/undergraduate/education-interdisciplinary-studies-k-5.php] APSU Student Tennessee Education Association [https://www.apsu.edu/education/currentstudents/student-organizations.php] APSU Full Spectrum Learning [https://www.apsu.edu/full-spectrum-learning/]

Balancing Life, Work and Education with Dr. Terri Clark

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 kind" has guided her through 20 years of experience in hospital work, community health, and teaching. The heart of the conversation dives into Dr. Clark’s research on technostress and the intersection of health education and work-life balance. She introduces her original "Balance Framework," which is designed to help busy professionals manage the stress of constant connectivity through seven simple strategies. Listeners will also get a personal look at Dr. Clark’s life outside the classroom, from her "mini farm" in Tennessee — complete with horses, dwarf goats, and a "grand puppy" — to her early days as a theater major with dreams of starring on Days of Our Lives. Whether she is hosting the Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing podcast or mentoring future nurses, Dr. Clark’s story is a powerful testament to how education can enlarge one's vision for life and create ripples of change in the world. Dive Deeper: ⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠ [https://www.apsu.edu/education/] APSU Doctor of Education: Nurse Educator Concentration [https://www.apsu.edu/programs/graduate/doctor-education-nurse-educator.php] APSU Full Spectrum Learning [https://www.apsu.edu/full-spectrum-learning/] Dr. John McConnell named dean of APSU's Eriksson College of Education [https://www.apsu.edu/news/john-mcconnell-named-dean-eriksson-college-education.php] Austin Peay professor publishes new volume of teaching labor history [https://www.apsu.edu/news/eriksson-college-professor-publishes-teaching-labor-history-volume.php] Audiobooks surge as travel favorite, helping fuel debate over what 'counts' as reading [https://www.foxnews.com/travel/listening-audiobooks-during-travel-why-some-insist-counts-reading] Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlHZ4cjYRYI] Work–Life Balance in an Online World: Simple Strategies for Managing Technostress [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/23320249251367754]

Strengthening Rural Education with Dr. Erica Boone

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 into the center's major upcoming initiatives, including the 2026 Rural Education Conference themed "Rooted in Rural: Cultivating Place, Partnerships, and Possibilities." Dr. Boone highlights how this year's virtual event on March 16 will expand to include international perspectives and flexible pre-recorded sessions for busy educators. From her student-centered philosophy to her favorite "hidden gems" in Carroll County — including the best local spots for pancakes and hot wings — get to know the heart behind the center's leadership. Dive Deeper: APSU Eriksson College of Education [https://www.apsu.edu/education/] APSU Center for Rural Education [https://www.apsu.edu/education/ruraled/] Dr. Erica Boone: Faculty Bio [https://www.apsu.edu/directory/faculty/boonee.php] APSU Principal Registered Apprenticeship Program [https://www.apsu.edu/news/austin-peay-launches-tennessee-first-principal-apprenticeship-program.php] Grow Your Own Grant Announcement [https://www.apsu.edu/news/apsu-eriksson-college-of-education-receives-1-025-million-grow-your-own-grant.php] Rylei Johnson (Teen Tennessee Petite) [https://www.apsu.edu/news/education-major-rylei-johnson-prepares-for-petite-usa-nationals-leads-wow-initiative.php] APSU Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment first-time pass rate [https://www.apsu.edu/news/austin-peay-teacher-candidates-highest-literacy-assessment-pass-rate.php] Dr. Terri Clark Journal Article Publication [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/23320249251407544]

Navigating Ethical AI Use in Education with Dr. Allison Oliver

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 than a replacement for authentic learning. Learn about her new AI workshop for undergraduates that models responsible usage while promoting deeper thinking. The conversation shifts to Tennessee's critical special education teacher shortage, with Dr. Oliver — whose research focuses on educational equity and teacher development — passionately describing special educators as "super teachers" who close opportunity gaps. She outlines essential strategies for districts and teacher preparation programs, including APSU's revamped approaches, to better support and retain these vital educators. Dr. Oliver also shares how her commitment to serving marginalized populations through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. aligns with her educational mission. ⁠APSU Eriksson College of Education⁠ [https://www.apsu.edu/education/] More about Dr. Allison Oliver [https://www.apsu.edu/directory/faculty/olivera.php] Explore APSU’s Undergraduate Special Education Degree Options [https://www.apsu.edu/education/programs-of-study/undergraduate.php] Explore APSU’s Graduate Special Education Degree Options [https://www.apsu.edu/education/programs-of-study/graduate.php] Association of Teacher Educators Teacher Educator Standards, (3rd Edition) [https://www.ate1.org/uploads/1/4/5/7/145746398/ate_teacher_educator_standards_3rd_edition_-_final.pdf] Call for Proposals: Rural Education Conference [https://www.apsu.edu/education/ruraled/conference.php] Find Upcoming Events on Govs Connect [https://govsconnect.apsu.edu/coe/home/] Dr. Zack Barnes Quoted in Newsweek [https://www.newsweek.com/millennial-mom-pays-11-year-old-read-books-one-condition-10888838] APSU GOVing Tuesday [https://www.alumni.apsu.edu/s/1806/17/interior.aspx?sid=1806&pgid=1491&gid=2&cid=3254&ecid=3254&post_id=0]