Amber Button

I have proudly called Austin Peay State University home since 2005. What began as a student journey has grown into a professional commitment to serving and supporting others within the same community that shaped me.

I currently serve as Coordinator of Teacher Residencies in the Office of Teacher Education and Partnerships at APSU. In this role, I work closely with partnering school districts, the Tennessee Department of Education, and the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center to coordinate teacher residency programs. I support recruitment efforts, advise residents through academic and licensure requirements, manage grant compliance, and collaborate across campus departments to ensure seamless program operations. My work centers on building strong partnerships and creating clear pathways for aspiring educators to succeed.

Prior to this role, I served in several positions within APSU’s Office of Admissions, including Transfer Coordinator. My experience spans admissions processing, transcript evaluation, transfer recruitment, articulation agreements, and supporting adult learners through Tennessee Reconnect. These roles strengthened my passion for access, student guidance, and removing barriers in higher education systems.

I was raised in Rutherford County, Tennessee, and spent many school breaks with family in Nebraska, experiences that shaped my appreciation for both community roots and broader perspectives. My husband and I met at APSU and continue to call Clarksville home, where we share life with our two dogs, Bella and Riker.

I am deeply committed to student success and believe encouragement, clarity, and consistent support make all the difference. I strive to be one of my students’ biggest cheerleaders and to walk alongside them as they pursue their goals.

My research interests focus on teacher residency and Grow Your Own models as sustainable strategies for educator workforce development, particularly in rural and high-need communities. I am interested in cross-sector collaboration between K–12 systems and higher education institutions, with attention to pipeline development, transfer pathways, and adult learner access. I also explore how policy implementation, grant-funded initiatives, and institutional coordination shape student persistence, licensure attainment, and long-term workforce outcomes.

• I once was at a live taping of the Today Show during a Nor’easter.

• I once won a meme contest about a runaway calf that found its way to campus.

Austin Peay is a wonderful place where you can explore options and find yourself. Our faculty and staff are there to support you throughout your time as a student.