On the Fly presented by The TN Firefly
On the Fly is the podcast of the Tennessee Firefly, taking listeners further into the education stories we cover.
Episodes
39 episodes
On the Fly: Aug. 21, 2026 Friday Flicker
This week's Friday Flicker looks at a key difference between gubernatorial candidates Jerri Green and Sen. Marsha Blackburn regarding AI in the classroom.We also had positive news for choice schools in Tennessee. U.S. News & World Re...
On the Fly: Sen. Marsha Blackburn Discusses AI in the Classroom
AI is becoming a more common tool in K-12 classrooms, and some universities are providing future educators with AI literacy.On this episode of On the Fly, gubernatorial candidate Sen. Marsha Blackburn discusses how she'd approach the tec...
On the Fly: August 14,2026 Friday Flicker
This week we profiled the new Jackson Museum School. It became the first public charter school to open in Madison County when students walked through its doors earlier this month. Founder Dr. Jean Little tells us the first day was excitin...
On the Fly: August 7, 2026 Friday Flicker
On this week's episode, we recap Thursday's Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries and take a look at a key issue that decided multiple House primaries and incumbents who lost.
On the Fly: State Primary and General Election Preview
Today, Tennessee voters will decide the primaries for every State House seat and odd-numbered Senate seats, along with the governor’s office. Obviously, the governor’s race is attracting the most attention, especially on the GOP si...
On the Fly: Friday Flicker July 31, 2026
This week, we began a weekly series of stories on AI in the classroom by focusing on how some Tennessee schools are using the technology. In Nashville this summer, LEAD Public Schools held a three-week summer AI program for middle s...
On the Fly: Terri Gaston Explains How Urban Dove Will Serve At-Risk Students Without Placing Them in a Grade
On Tuesday, the Memphis-Shelby County School Board will be voting on four proposed new public charter schools. That includes two Urban Dove opportunity charter schools specifically designed for at-risk students who are over-aged and under-credi...
On the Fly: The Gate School's Burrus Cox Explains How His Discussion-Based Middle School Would Serve Students
Next week, the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education will be voting on four proposed new public charter schools. That includes The Gate School, a proposed charter middle school for Nashville that would utilize an education model mor...
On the Fly: Former Tennessee Titan Kevin Dyson Hopes to Found the Music City Academy
Next week, the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education will be voting on four proposed new public charter schools. The Music City Academy is among them. The proposed charter high school, named after the famed Music City Mi...
On the Fly: July 17, 2026 Friday Flicker
This week, we began a series of election profiles in advance of next month’s primary and general election. Every State House seat is up for a vote this year, along with odd-numbered Senate seats, and early voting on all of them began today....
On the Fly: July 10, 2026 Friday Flicker
This week, we had news of the positive impact of the Literacy Success Act. The legislation was passed in 2021, and a new report by Tennessee SCORE found that English language arts proficiency rates have risen by nearly 13 percent for third-grad...
On the Fly: State Representative Elaine Davis Wants to Better Support Student Well-Being
The summer school break is, for many students, a time for vacations or summer camps, but it’s also a time when some students have less access to the food and support programs they depend on during the school year.Knoxville Republican Sta...
On the Fly: June 26, 2026 Friday Flicker
We are recapping this week's education stories, including a recommendation in Hamilton County to reduce the number of local benchmarks students take from three to two. Speaking of testing, we also received good news this week about ...
On the Fly: June 19, 2026 Friday Flicker
We are recapping this week's education stories, including a closer look at an issue dividing Senate District 1 GOP primary candidates, an update on the oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and new recommendations for higher educat...
On the Fly: ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland Discusses Potential Changes to Higher Education Funding
Next month, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is expected to approve changes to a funding policy for institutions of higher learning called the Outcomes-Based Funding (OBF) formula.The OBF provides financial incentives to institu...
On the Fly: Nashville School of Excellence Aims to Serve Growing South Nashville Immigrant Population
This summer, the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education will vote on as many as four proposals for new public charter schools, including the Nashville School of Excellence.The proposed 6-12 grade school would be an expansion o...
On the Fly: Representative William Slater Recaps the Legislative Session
House Education Administration Chair Representative William Slater joins this week's On the Fly to discuss the recent legislative session and his work on the Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education.
On the Fly: Gubernatorial Candidate Jerri Green Discusses Her Vision for Education
Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green is the only contender in next August's Democratic gubernatorial primary who has held elected office. She joins this week's On the Fly to discuss how she'd work with the Republican supermajority if elected, ...
On the Fly: Educator Jenny Bell Wants to Add Accountability to MNPS
Early voting is underway for next month's four school board primaries in Davidson County, including District 4, where longtime Metro Schools teacher, principal, and program director, Jenny Bell, is challenging incumbent Dr. Berthena Nabaa-McKin...
On the Fly: Trimble Academy Could Be Dyer County's First Public Charter School
This Tuesday, the Dyer County School Board will decide whether to approve the first truly rural public charter school in Tennessee. The proposed Trimble Academy would combine classical education and outdoor learning for elementary and mid...
On the Fly: Rep. Scott Cepicky Discusses the Need for Virtual School Accountability
This week, lawmakers will vote on legislation that’s designed to hold underperforming virtual schools accountable by requiring their closure. The Senate passed its version of the bill last month, and the House will take it up this week. E...
On the Fly: Elaine Davis Discusses Improving Access to School Nurses
State Representative Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, has filed three bills this session (HB1550, HB1675, and HB2329) to improve access students have to school nurses. She explains what each bill will do and why this issue is personal to her on ...
On the Fly: Senator Adam Lowe Wants to Reduce Barriers for Open Enrollment
State Senator Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, is sponsoring legislation designed to break down barriers parents face enrolling their child in a school district beyond the one they're zoned for.Lowe's bill will expand public school choice opportuni...
On the Fly: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Discusses Her Vision for Education
In this edition of On the Fly, U.S. Senator and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn outlines how she'd approach the future of public charter schools, CTE, and a decision to appoint the next Commissioner of Education.
