NASDTEC Podcasts

In this episode, Maryam Rod Szabo, an Administrative Consultant in the Iowa Office of Educator Quality, discusses their work developing a comprehensive mathematics workbook designed for educator preparation programs. This tool supports curriculum revision and self-assessment efforts to ensure that educator preparation aligns with the instructional needs of Iowa’s K–12 mathematics system following the state's update of its mathematics academic standards in 2024.

In this episode, Mary-Dean Barringer and Rebecca Pitkin discuss the work of the Novice Educator Essential Competencies (NEEC) Steering Committee. The NASDTEC Executive Board commissioned an Ad hoc committee to review the InTASC standards. Those standards are owned by CCSSO. In June of 2025, the Ad hoc committee reported  their review and recommended NASDTEC provide and additional resource listing essential competencies for novice teachers to compliment InTASC, allowing states, should they wish, to align their initial licensure and program approval to these competencies. To that end, In October 2025, NASDTEC launched the Novice Educator Essential Competencies Initiative. This episode reviews the work of the committee to date and future steps. 

In this episode, Yelena Bailey Elena, Executive Director of the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and Lucy Payne, the Board Chair and faculty member in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of St. Thomas, discuss how Minnesota took a proactive approach to literacy legislation by working closely with education preparation faculty, K-5 literacy specialists, and legislators on a literacy continuous improvement rubric and legislation. 
On February 13, 2026, Elena and Lucy will join other panelists to discuss this work in a Professional Education Committee Webinar. To register (or view the recording) for that webinar, visit the PEC Open Discussion Webinar under the Events menu of the NASDTEC website. 

In this episode, Malia Hite, Jennifer Prince, and Lisa McLachlan, discuss Utah's Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL). APPEL programs are administered by local school districts, charter schools, or the Board, and prepare individuals to meet the requirements for a Utah professional license or license area of concentration.

In this episode, Kathy Ogden Macfarlane and Dr. Andrew Kwok, discuss their research concerning evidence-based practices for teacher induction programs and practices to avoid during implementation. 

In this episode, Jamie Wilbur, Eric Brooks, and Will Ambos, discuss Arizona's work in educator recruitment and retention.

In this episode, Heather Klesch and Lynn Hammonds discuss how states are implementing innovative funding models aimed at reducing or eliminating the costs associated with teacher certification exams. These efforts represent a strategic investment in the educator pipeline, helping to ensure that all qualified individuals, regardless of financial means, can pursue a career in teaching.

In this second episode of a two-part podcast, Nason Lollar, a twenty-five years in the field of education, and Troy Hutchings conclude their discussion on Dr. Lollar experiences and work.