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
28 episodes
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.
On the Fly: Preview of the 2026 Legislative Session
Tennesseans for Student Success Assistant Director of Government Relations Steven Bergman previews the upcoming legislative session that begins Tuesday at noon.
On the Fly: House Speaker Cameron Sexton Proposes Removing Bachelor’s Degree Requirement for Some Teachers
Speaker Sexton plans to propose an associate’s degree program next year for future kindergarten through sixth grade teachers. In this episode of On the Fly, he explains how the program will work and why he believes it can address Te...
On the Fly: New Charter Schools Approved for Madison and Rutherford Counties
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission overturned two local school board decisions on October 16th by approving new public charter schools for Madison and Rutherford Counties. The Jackson Museum School will take learning bey...
Congressman John Rose Discusses His Run for Governor
U.S. Congressman John Rose discusses why he decided to run for governor in 2026, along with his views on the Education Freedom Scholarship, career and technical education (CTE), public charter schools, and how he'd handle the additional authori...
On the Fly: The Tennessee Nature Academy
The Tennessee Nature Academy is starting its third year this week in Nashville.The public charter school offers students a nature-based education model that founder Jay Renfro says includes what he calls risky (not dangerous) play. The s...
On the Fly: Novus SMART Founder Jeremy Sager
Educator Jeremy Sager has helped students in Memphis and Nashville achieve success. He believes the ‘Two-Educator Model’ of his proposed public charter school Novus SMART Academy (K-8) could do even more in Rutherford County if the Board of Ed...
On the Fly: Representative Mark White Weighs in on New Legislation to Study Testing
House Education Chair Mark White, R-Memphis, discusses new legislation that will create a ten-member advisory committee appointed by state leaders to study the state’s testing and teacher evaluation systems, the academic requirements for career...
On the Fly: Lawmakers Debate Legislation that Prevents Counties from Switching to a Caucus for Local Races
A bill that prevents Tennessee counties from switching from a primary to a caucus or convention for local partisan elections passed the State House last week and now heads to Governor Bill Lee's desk, despite opposition from Republican Party le...
On the Fly: Students for Education
Students for Education is a student-led organization that started here in Tennessee in 2021 to help ensure Tennessee's youth have a voice in education policy.Organization president and founder University School of Nashville Senior Brenda...
On the Fly: Memphis-Shelby County Intervention Debated in Nashville and Memphis
This week two key committees will vote on Representative Mark White's legislation enabling state leaders to create a board of managers that would essentially have full authority over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.Both sides made made the...
On the Fly: Glenn Jacobs Discusses New Education Secretary Linda McMahon
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has known newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon for decades from his days as the professional wrestler Kane. He talked with the Tennessee Firefly shortly before her confirmation about why the former wr...
On the Fly: Teachers for Student Success Provides Educators an Opportunity to Engage with Lawmakers
Cookeville High School English teacher Heather Gates (second from the right in photo) and Martin Middle School science teacher Jody Hatler (far right in photo) are two members of this year's Teachers for Student Success cohort.The annual...
