Your students are fluent in viral internet slang (like the cryptic "six-seven"), but are they literate in digital safety? The "six-seven" phenomenon—a playful reference to a social media scamming tactic—is a stark reminder of how quickly and often digital misinformation and security threats infiltrate our schools. In this timely episode of Your Morning Boost, we conclude our dive into the Fitting Five newsletter with a call to action: digital literacy must be treated as a core competency and a fundamental safety issue. Key Takeaways: Learn three systemic steps leaders must take to protect students in this hostile digital ecosystem: Introduce a "Scam Whisperer" Curriculum: Integrate mandatory, short units across all subjects to teach critical thinking skills needed to identify phishing, deepfakes, and misinformation. Model Responsible Digital Citizenship: Teachers and leaders must actively discuss, verify sources, and model healthy digital boundaries to give students a visible roadmap. Engage parents with a Digital Wellness Compact: Host family workshops and secure a shared commitment to discussing online safety and modeling good habits at home. ➡️ CTA: It's time to prepare students for a complex digital life. Subscribe, listen, and share this episode with your digital safety and curriculum teams! Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

As the first quarter ends, we're focused on student grades—but what grade would you give your leadership? Waiting until the end of the year to assess your effectiveness means missing a crucial chance to pivot. In this sharp episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into Dan P. Butler’s piece from the Fitting Five newsletter: "It's Time for Midterm Grades, but Not the Kind You're Thinking of." This challenge is not about judgment; it's about shifting from vague feelings of busyness to objective, fast, and focused course correction. Key Takeaways: Learn three objective methods to measure what truly matters: your behavior, your time, and your connections: Implement the Stop-Start-Continue Feedback Loop: Use a brief, anonymous survey with trusted staff to gather crystal-clear, actionable data on your leadership behaviors. Conduct a Candid Time Audit: Track your time for two weeks to see if your daily actions align with your instructional priorities (e.g., are you spending 70% on email and only 10% on walkthroughs?). Check your Relational Capital: Identify the 10 most critical people for your school's success (custodian, union rep, veteran teacher) and proactively invest in any relationship that scores low. ➡️ CTA: Commit to this objective self-assessment now to ensure you finish the year strong. Subscribe, listen, and share this episode! Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Are you spending all your time reacting to crises, answering emails, and managing external mandates? When leaders only play defense, they surrender the agenda to external forces—the media, the district, or community frustration. In this vital episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into a powerful piece from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (via the Fitting Five newsletter) that challenges us to flip the script. Offensive leadership means you define the vision, set the pace, and prioritize the work that truly moves students forward. Key Takeaways: Learn the three high-leverage challenges that help you reclaim your time and initiative: Commit to Proactive Strategic Planning by blocking non-negotiable "thinking time" to define your yearly agenda. Build an Early Warning System (KPIs)—tracking weekly referral trends and monthly staff morale to catch small dips before they become full-blown crises. Focus on Process, Not Just Outcomes by documenting and auditing core operational systems (onboarding, enrollment) to defend your core work against instability. ➡️ CTA: It's time to control the narrative of your school's success. Subscribe, listen, and share this episode with your leadership team! Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Student attention spans are shrinking, and the science is clear: constant, fast-paced social media use is fundamentally impacting young people's ability to sustain the deep focus required for complex reading and long-term memory. This isn't just a distraction—it's a neurological shift. In this essential episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into the latest research from Ed Week (via the Fitting Five newsletter) on how social media erodes cognitive endurance. School leaders cannot ban these tools, but they must become explicit trainers of the deep attention skill that the digital world depletes. Key Takeaways: Learn three systemic strategies to counter the "fragmentation effect": Implement mandatory deep work blocks (20-30 minutes) requiring single-task, uninterrupted focus. Teach sustained attention as a metacognitive muscle through explicit reflection prompts. Design assessments that prioritize analytical summarization over simple fact recall to train working memory. ➡️ CTA: Ready to create analog skills and environments within your digital-heavy school? Subscribe, listen, and share this episode with your instructional team! Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

The link is undeniable: when great teachers leave, student discipline issues rise. In this vital episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive deep into the findings of the K-12 Dive article, "Teacher Turnover Contributes to Suspensions and Referrals Study Finds." We explore how the loss of relational capital (key student-teacher relationships) and procedural consistency (uniform rules) destabilizes school culture and leads to a spike in office referrals, especially for students with trauma. Key Takeaways: Learn three actionable, non-budgetary strategies to interrupt this cycle: establish a uniform tier one behavioral strategy (e.g., Be respectful, responsible, ready), mandate protected time for proactive relational check-ins, and develop high-leverage peer mentorship focused on behavioral support for new staff. Don't let staffing instability sabotage your school's climate. ➡️ CTA: Ready to build a resilient school culture? Subscribe, listen, and share this episode with your leadership team! Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

After a week of focusing on internal strength—from knowing your style to prioritizing wellness and learning—it's time to put that inner work into service. School leadership is constantly bombarded by noise and urgent-but-not-important demands. This episode provides definitive strategies for creating a strategic bubble of focus to protect your core instructional priorities and keep your work squarely on serving students. Key Takeaways: Define and Enforce Core Priorities: Rigidly align every initiative, meeting, and PD session back to three defined instructional priorities for the quarter. If it doesn't support them, the answer is "not now." Create Focus Blocks for Deep Work: Schedule and protect 60-90 minute blocks for mission-critical tasks (e.g., analyzing data) by delegating interruptions and turning off notifications. Filter Communication Flow at the Source: Empower front office staff and assistant principals to handle specific categories of issues, ensuring only true instructional or emergency dilemmas land on your desk. Practice Student-Centric Prioritization: Before committing to any new initiative, ask: "How will this directly and positively impact a student in a classroom?" Eliminate the merely "good" to focus on the truly great. Protecting your focus is protecting your legacy. Subscribe and commit to mission clarity! Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Are you struggling to find time for professional growth? Sustainable leadership requires continuous learning, but a busy school leader's day rarely allows for hours of uninterrupted study. This episode shifts the focus from all-day professional development to micro-learning: targeted, quick bursts of professional engagement strategically integrated into your daily flow. We're providing just-in-time, just-for-me strategies to keep your leadership sharp, relevant, and consistently renewed. Key Takeaways: Create a 5-Minute Resource Feed: Curate resources based on identified growth areas (e.g., conflict resolution) and scan them during your first coffee or the last 5 minutes of the day. Integrate Drive-Time PD: Transform your commute by swapping passive listening for targeted audio content, like short summaries or relevant podcast segments. Pair a Problem with a Resource: When facing a challenge (e.g., classroom management), immediately dedicate 10 minutes to reading a short, relevant article for instant retention and transfer. Make Learning Out Loud a Habit: Consciously share one new insight daily to reinforce your own learning and model a culture of continuous growth for your staff, similar to the process outlined in The Art of Coaching. Finding time for growth is a vital part of authentic leadership. Never underestimate the power of the small moments. Subscribe and keep learning! To suggest a topic or reach out, visit awbeducation.org. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Feeling the drain? Your leadership capacity is directly tied to your personal sustainability. This episode is a vital conversation focused on the health and wellness of school leaders. The challenge isn't finding time for a retreat—it's securing five minutes of restorative space daily within the hurricane of duties. We share small, non-negotiable strategies to help you protect your energy and ensure you are leading from a place of strength. Key Takeaways: Mindful Transition: Schedule a 5-minute pause between home and campus to shift your mindset. Physical Boundary: Block off 30 minutes for a lunch/walk appointment you cannot miss. Communication Cutoffs: Establish clear off-hours expectations to prevent perpetual burnout. External Passion: Cultivate a non-school related hobby for cognitive cross-training and renewal. Protecting your personal wellness is the key to sustainable, long-term impact. Commit to filling your own cup today! Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

On this Morning Boost episode (Tuesday, October 28), the host explains how school leaders can move from isolation to intentional collaboration by creating a small, confidential cohort of peer principals. Topics include how to identify three to five cross-district colleagues, write a simple invitation, and set uncompromising norms of confidentiality and purpose.The episode outlines practical structures for sustainability—regular monthly or biweekly meetings, a consistent agenda (wins, challenges, and a deep-dive problem presentation), rotating leadership, and using protocols like the critical friends model to surface diverse, actionable solutions. A real example is shared of a middle school principal who solved a complex boundary issue with support from her cohort.Key takeaways: proactively initiate your group, keep membership outside immediate evaluation lines, commit to confidentiality and cadence, and rotate expertise so the cohort becomes a durable professional lifeline. Grundmeyer Leader Services supports this episode’s message of transforming education one leader at a time. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Are you trying to lead like a model instead of yourself? The most effective school leaders lead with authenticity, which is only possible through deep self-awareness. This episode dives into how understanding your unique leadership style is the key to unlocking your greatest potential. We'll share practical steps to help you identify your core values, synthesize 360-degree feedback, and deliberately lean into your signature strengths. Discover how aligning your actions with your convictions—like a leader whose core value is equity adopting a transformational style—builds trust, fosters a positive school culture, and ultimately improves decision-making. Stop wasting time trying to be who a textbook says you should be; embrace the leader you authentically are because it is your greatest asset. Key Takeaways: Identify your core values and non-negotiables as the foundation of your style. Actively solicit and internalize 360-degree feedback to understand your impact. Focus on refining your signature strengths rather than forcing a style that doesn't feel authentic. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

After a week of diving deep into modern grading practices, experts Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley deliver the most impactful leadership behavior for navigating the inevitable "implementation dip" that comes with change. They argue that the most effective way to quiet staff and community resistance is to shift the focus back to the customer: the student. Leaders must prioritize creating opportunities for students to articulate their learning, celebrate their successes, and explain how clear, standards-based grading helps them own their learning. The Solution: Center students in the conversation. Key Takeaways: The implementation dip happens when communication and confidence falter, leading to uncertainty for students and frustration for parents. Student voice is the most potent communication tool. Leaders must actively create spaces for students to share their "before and after" stories of learning clarity. A strong strategy is implementing student-led learning stations (rotations) that teach students directly about standards, scales, and the reassessment process. Student understanding equals parent understanding. Use these student-facing resources (like recorded sessions) to educate the community. You can find out more about our guests by visiting https://www.awbeducation.org/contributors-lineup. Follow their work via the links below, and pick up their book, The Parent's Guide to Grading and Reporting. Thank you for listening! Connect with the Experts: Dr. Chad Lang: recalibrateedservices.com or on LinkedIn. Dr. Matt Townsley: Search "all things standards based grading" or find him on X/Blue Sky at @MCTownsley. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Are your grading conversations stuck in the "old paradigm"? In today's episode of Your Morning Boost, authors and grading experts Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley (of The Parent's Guide to Grading and Reporting) reveal the most effective non-negotiable communication strategy for districts: equipping parents with new questions. They discuss how shifting parental communication from asking about a grade ("What can my child do to improve their grade?") to focusing on standards ("Which standards can my child still improve upon?") helps students own their learning and fosters a powerful home-school partnership. This shift transforms grades into meaningful communication about specific proficiency, rather than a permanent "tattoo." Key Takeaways: Parents typically want to know: "How is my kid doing?" but they often ask the wrong questions. The critical communication strategy is to provide parents with a "new question bank" (like a T-chart or one-pager) to guide conversations about standards mastery. This approach reinforces the concept that the grade is a form of communication, not a punitive measure. It directly ties to research showing student self-identification of learning gaps leads to major growth. You can find out more about our guests by visiting https://www.awbeducation.org/contributors-lineup. Pick up their book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or bloomsbury.com! Listen, subscribe, and share this episode to build true partnerships with your school families. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Are your grading conversations stuck in the "old paradigm"? In today's episode of Your Morning Boost, authors and grading experts Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley (of The Parent's Guide to Grading and Reporting) reveal the most effective non-negotiable communication strategy for districts: equipping parents with new questions. They discuss how shifting parental communication from asking about a grade ("What can my child do to improve their grade?") to focusing on standards ("Which standards can my child still improve upon?") helps students own their learning and fosters a powerful home-school partnership. This shift transforms grades into meaningful communication about specific proficiency, rather than a permanent "tattoo." Key Takeaways: Parents typically want to know: "How is my kid doing?" but they often ask the wrong questions. The critical communication strategy is to provide parents with a "new question bank" (like a T-chart or one-pager) to guide conversations about standards mastery. This approach reinforces the concept that the grade is a form of communication, not a punitive measure. It directly ties to research showing student self-identification of learning gaps leads to major growth. You can find out more about our guests by visiting https://www.awbeducation.org/contributors-lineup. Pick up their book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or bloomsbury.com! Listen, subscribe, and share this episode to build true partnerships with your school families. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Are you unknowingly using a grading system that actively punishes student growth? In this episode of Your Morning Boost, we continue our deep dive into grading reform with experts Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley. They expose the mathematical flaw of traditional averaging—specifically, the disproportionate, damaging impact of the zero on a student's final grade, which often represents a lack of submission, not a lack of learning. The discussion tackles why "Hodge Podge grading" obscures the truth about student progress. The Crucial Question: What's the clearest step you can take to stop averaging from diluting competency? Key Takeaways: The zero has a six times more disproportionate, negative impact than a perfect score has a positive one. Why a grade based on an average of compliance, effort, and knowledge is not true communication. An immediate, actionable step: Replace the numerical zero with a non-numerical "missing evidence indicator" to preserve the integrity of the academic grade. The clear alternative: Disaggregate the data and use descriptors (like Beginning, Developing, Proficient) to communicate mastery of specific standards. You can find out more about our guests by visiting https://www.awbeducation.org/contributors-lineup. Don't let flawed math misrepresent your students' learning! Listen, subscribe, and share this episode to communicate student progress accurately. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Are you wrestling with the myths around modern grading? In this critical episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive deep with leading grading experts, Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley (co-authors of A Parent's Guide to Grading and Reporting). They tackle the single most critical philosophical misconception leaders must address: the notion that changing grading practices lowers the bar or reduces accountability. Learn why standards-based and standards-referenced grading actually raise the stakes for competency, focus on enduring learning, and provide students with clearer pathways to proficiency through structured reassessment opportunities. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders ready to move beyond tradition and establish a clear, modern purpose for grading. Key Takeaways: The difference between a "retake" and a meaningful reassessment requiring corrective work. Why traditional grading can create an "inflated grade" that masks a lack of true competency. The critical need to define the purpose of grading in your school or district (Hint: It’s communication!). You can find out more about our guests by visiting https://www.awbeducation.org/contributors-lineup. Listen, subscribe, and share this episode to kickstart a meaningful conversation about equitable and effective grading practices in your school. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

How can your school's history truly reflect your community? In this final installment, we tackle the values-driven core of digital preservation: using archives to honor diverse voices and underrepresented narratives. Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, CEO of History IT, emphasizes that while archives only tell the stories they hold, a comprehensive digital project makes all voices—even those previously less prominent—accessible and ready to be celebrated. Dr. Gwinn-Becker also shares how teachers can leverage a digital archive as a repository of primary source evidence to teach research methodology, making learning resonate deeply by placing students within their own historical context. Finally, on the crucial topic of budget, she urges leaders to view digital preservation not as a "nice-to-have" silo project, but as an essential tool for ROI. The return is measured in tangible results: bolstering marketing, alumni engagement, and fundraising through automated, personalized content (like sending alumni their class photos in a birthday email) that dramatically increases connection and donation likelihood. Key Takeaways: Learn how accessibility highlights diverse histories; discover how archives serve as personalized primary sources for classroom instruction; and understand how to calculate the ROI for digital preservation by tracking engagement and fundraising dollars. Action: Dive deeper into preservation planning! Contact our guest Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker at www.historyIT.com or on social media at HistoryIT and #savehistory. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Want to immediately boost alumni engagement? The secret is personalization, and your archives hold the key. In this concluding episode, Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, CEO of History IT, explains how schools can effectively use a truly accessible digital archive for alumni and donor relations. The strategy is simple: connect donors and alumni with content about their personal experience—their photos, class events, or specific interests—to "move the needle further than a cold, general email." For schools ready to start, Dr. Gwinn-Becker emphasizes the essential first step: a strategic plan that begins with a comprehensive collection assessment. Don't just "jump in" and scan files only to lose them later; prioritize true preservation and accessibility through meticulous cataloging and tagging. Her final, most crucial advice for school leaders: start early and ensure your investment is focused on making materials searchable and meaningful, as this is where the real value lies. Key Takeaways: Learn how personalized archival content drives donor relations; understand the critical role of a collection assessment and strategic plan; and prioritize accessibility—the tagging and cataloging—to ensure your archive brings new value. Action: Dive deeper into preservation planning! Contact our guest Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker at www.historyIT.com or on social media at HistoryIT and #savehistory. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Can your past define your future? Absolutely. In this episode of The AWB Education Podcast, we shift our focus from preservation to strategic utility, asking how archives can actively drive vision setting and strategic planning at the school leadership level. Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, CEO of History IT, shares her historical expertise, affirming the cliché: "you can't know where you're going without knowing where you've been." A robust, accessible archive fosters a sense of shared community and identity by letting stakeholders understand they are part of a continuous narrative. Dr. Gwinn-Becker provides specific examples, like the McCauley School's five-year anniversary project, and discusses how surfacing hidden stories—the everyday lives, lesser-known figures, and social movements—can inspire current students and staff far more powerfully than just spotlighting celebrities and major successes.   Key Takeaways: Discover how archives inform successful initiatives and flag potential pitfalls; learn how surfacing "hidden stories" inspires a broader community; and understand how major milestones drive comprehensive digital archive projects. Action: Dive deeper into preservation planning! Contact our guest Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker at www.historyIT.com or on social media at HistoryIT and #savehistory. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Is your budget shrinking, but your history still growing? School leaders often view digital preservation as a costly technical task, but it's actually a powerful strategic investment. In this episode of The AWB Education Podcast, Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, CEO of History IT, explains how to shift this mindset. She details how integrating your school's digitized archival content into a single, searchable framework can immediately support strategic initiatives across your institution, from marketing and alumni engagement to governance and executive speechwriting. Stop thinking of preservation as a silo and start seeing it as a dynamic asset that enhances efficiency and storytelling. Key Takeaways: Learn how a digital archive supports marketing, fundraising, and governance; discover practical ways to use archival material for quick, curated content; and understand the roadmap for building this strategic asset. Action: Dive deeper into preservation planning! Contact our guest Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker at www.historyIT.com or on social media at HistoryIT and #savehistory. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Is your school's history locked away in a dusty box? It's time to unlock its potential! In this essential episode of The AWB Education Podcast, we welcome Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, CEO of History IT, to discuss why digital preservation is no longer a "nice-to-have" but a strategic necessity for every educational institution. Dr. Gwinn-Becker, an expert historian and software innovator, reveals how safeguarding your unique story is paramount to being a good steward, and how a properly cataloged digital archive transforms into a dynamic content engine that actively supports your school’s future and distinguishes it from others. Key Takeaways: Learn the mission to "save history," understand the strategic roadmap for building a digital collection, and discover how accessibility turns your past into a powerful tool for your future. Action: Dive deeper into preservation planning! Contact our guest Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker at www.historyIT.com or on social media at HistoryIT and #savehistory. Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org