AAEA: The Voice
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Podcast Overview
<p>The official podcast of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, elevating the voices of Arkansas school leaders and the work they do every day.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/23/2026
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Recent Episodes
May 21, 2026
Coaching Teachers, Building Culture, and Leading With Empathy
In this episode of AAEA: The Voice, host Dr. Megan Duncan, Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, is joined by David Yates, principal at Elkins Middle School in Elkins, Arkansas, for a conversation about leadership growth, school culture, and the realities of life as a principal. Yates reflects on his nontraditional path into education, from majoring in history to becoming a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and eventually a school leader, and shares how the day-to-day demands of administration often differ from what preparation programs can fully teach. He discusses lessons learned around discipline, management, and parent communication, emphasizing the importance of balancing transparency with empathy in difficult conversations. The conversation also explores Yates’ approach to instructional leadership and teacher support, including how he uses walkthroughs and reflective questioning to help educators focus on student learning outcomes. He explains why autonomy and choice in professional development can strengthen school culture and collective efficacy, while also highlighting the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and supportive teams in overcoming imposter syndrome as a leader. Yates also reflects on his transition from Conway to the Elkins community and the role AAEA has played in providing resources, networking, and professional guidance throughout his career. AAEA: The Voice is produced by Association Briefings.
April 16, 2026
Strengthening Curriculum and Instruction Across Arkansas Schools
In this episode of AAEA: The Voice, host Dr. Megan Duncan, Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, is joined by Dr. Kelli Martin, Deputy Superintendent of Greenbrier Public Schools, Dr. Kim Fowler, Assistant Director of the Ozarks Unlimited Resources Education Service Cooperative, and Bridget Buckley, Assistant Superintendent of the Mena School District. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of curriculum and instruction in Arkansas, drawing on their experiences moving from the classroom into leadership. The conversation highlights how co-teaching, alternative education, and co-op support have shaped their approach to meeting individual student needs. They also share practical ways to identify gaps in curriculum—by spending time in classrooms, listening to teachers, and ensuring alignment with Arkansas standards. From there, the discussion turns to what it takes to support strong instruction at scale, including building durable employability skills, implementing tiered supports, and staying connected through distributed leadership, PLCs, and focused professional learning. AAEA: The Voice is produced by Association Briefings.
March 19, 2026
Balancing Pressure, People, and Purpose
In this episode of AAEA: The Voice, host Dr. Megan Duncan, Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, is joined by Dr. Debbie Jones, Superintendent of Bentonville School District, and Dr. Karen Walters, Superintendent of Bryant School District, for a conversation on leadership, growth, and the realities of stepping into the superintendent role. Together, they reflect on the path to leadership, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience in every role, seeking out mentorship, and building strong operational and financial understanding along the way. The discussion explores what it takes to lead with confidence—even before feeling fully prepared—and how systems thinking and continuous learning shape effective administrators. The conversation also highlights the human side of leadership, including the role of emotional intelligence, the need for direct and sometimes difficult conversations, and the importance of staying grounded in core values under pressure. They share practical insights on communicating with school boards, navigating unpopular decisions, and managing the constant problem-solving that comes with the role. They look ahead to emerging challenges, including the impact of AI in education, and what future leaders need to succeed in an increasingly complex environment. AAEA: The Voice is produced by Association Briefings.
6 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is AAEA: The Voice?
<p>The official podcast of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, elevating the voices of Arkansas school leaders and the work they do every day.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
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