The Commons: Real Talk for Educators

𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹'𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆? ⚾️

Dr. Chad Lang joins us to explain why "tightening the strike zone" on assessment is the only way to prepare students for a globalized world where competency is king.

In this episode of Control+Shift+Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch talk with Dr. Chad Lang about the intersection of leadership, assessment, and the "real world." Dr. Lang shares a powerful analogy comparing Major League Baseball umpires to classroom teachers, showing how evolution—not just change—leads to better outcomes for kids.If you’ve ever struggled to lead your staff through grading reform or wondered how to align your school's systems with the modern economy, this conversation provides the roadmap.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡

• How to use the "Umpire Analogy" to simplify assessment reform.

• Why the "real world" argument actually supports standards-based practices.

• How professional development acts as the catalyst for tightening the "strike zone".

• The importance of "aiming small" to communicate student evidence clearly.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦

• Struggling to answer parents/staff who say grading reform is "too soft."

• Trying to modernize assessment without overwhelming your teachers.

• Bridge the gap between "school work" and "global competency."

Connect with our Guest!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-lang-ed-d-3864173a/

https://recalibrateedservices.com/

𝙰̲𝙱̲𝙾̲𝚄̲𝚃̲ ̲𝚃̲𝙷̲𝙴̲ ̲𝙿̲𝙾̲𝙳̲𝙲̲𝙰̲𝚂̲𝚃̲

Control+Shift+Lead is the premier podcast for school leaders and innovators. Hosted by Adam Busch (AWB Education/ForwardEd) and Jim Wichman (Inspired Edification), we explore the shifts in thinking required to lead today’s schools.

1. The Communication Triad: Why the synergy between Parent, Student, and School is essential for building relational capacity.
2. Replacing Traditions with Clarity: How to integrate existing school traditions with new grading practices to ensure continuity amidst change.
3. Making Learning Visual: Using "attending tools," rubrics, and metaphors like the Jiffy Lube Multi-Point Inspection to explain proficiency to non-educators.
4. Combatting Misconceptions: Strategies to address narratives of "grade inflation" by prioritizing high-quality feedback over numerical averages.

1. CLI (Curriculum Leadership Institute): Empowering school leaders to build systemic clarity. https://www.cliweb.org/
2. SpacesEDU: Capturing durable skill development through digital portfolios. https://spacesedu.com/en/

1. #EducationLeadership #GradingReform #ParentEngagement #K12 #ForwardEd #Assessment #SpacesEDU #CLI #TheCommons

Helping students become independent learners is one of the biggest goals in education—but many teachers unintentionally do too much of the thinking for their students.

In this episode of Your Morning Boost, we explore how small shifts—like using intentional wait time and silence—can dramatically improve student thinking, engagement, and ownership of learning.

You’ll learn:

• Why students struggle with independence (even when they’re capable)
• How teacher talk can limit student thinking
• The role of wait time in deeper learning
• A simple shift you can try in your classroom immediately

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying too much of the cognitive load in your classroom, this episode will give you a better way forward.

• ForwardEd Network: www.forwardednetwork.com
• AWB Education and Media: www.awbeducation.org
• Grundmeyer Leader Services: www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
• Subscribe to the ForwardEd Network for more insights on school leadership, instructional clarity, and professional growth.

Mentioned in this episode:

Grundmeyer Leader Services

Grundmeyer Leader Services (GLS) is a premier leadership search and consulting firm dedicated to "Transforming Education One Leader at a Time."

1. The Grading Purpose Statement: Why your school needs a co-created "North Star" to ensure alignment with broader institutional goals.
2. The Guiding Coalition: How to foster a culture of shared responsibility that outlasts leadership turnover.
3. Systemic Interdependence: Why grading reform is a team sport that must involve Athletic Directors, Nutrition Departments, and Transportation teams.
4. The Iterative Approach: Using pilot initiatives to test practices, mitigate resistance, and facilitate a smoother transition.

1. CLI (Curriculum Leadership Institute): Empowering school leaders to build systemic clarity and essential curriculum improvement. Learn more at https://www.cliweb.org/.
2. SpacesEDU: Helping districts capture durable skill development and digital portfolios to make learning visible. Discover how to transform your assessment tools at https://spacesedu.com/en/.

1. Sustainability: Grading reform is a protracted process requiring a multi-year commitment.
2. Clarity: A Purpose Statement is the foundational element that guides all subsequent grading policy.
3. Collaboration: Effective communication is essential to foster trust among educators, students, and the community.

1. #EducationLeadership #ChangeManagement #GradingReform #K12 #ForwardEd #Assessment #SpacesEDU #CLI

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗲𝘆." 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.

Teacher feedback is one of the most powerful tools in the classroom—but most grading systems don’t actually improve learning.

In this episode of Your Morning Boost, we break down how to move beyond traditional grading and use feedback to build student independence and deeper understanding.

You’ll learn:

– Why grades often stop learning instead of supporting it

– The difference between corrective feedback and process feedback

– Practical strategies you can use in your classroom tomorrow

• If you’ve ever wondered how to make feedback more meaningful (and less exhausting), this episode is for you.

Links referenced in this episode:

• ForwardEdNetwork
• grundmeyerleadersearch.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Grundmeyer Leader Services

Grundmeyer Leader Services (GLS) is a premier leadership search and consulting firm dedicated to "Transforming Education One Leader at a Time."

1. The "Illusion of Precision": Why points and percentages often hide the truth about learning.
2. The "MyChart" Effect: How instant grading notifications and "scoreboard watching" create anxiety without context.
3. Technology & AI: How 2026's digital landscape is forcing a return to authentic in-class feedback.
4. Systemic Success: The necessity for clarity, consistency, and equity to foster educational success in modern systems.

1. CLI (Curriculum Leadership Institute): Empowering school leaders to build systemic clarity and essential curriculum improvement. Learn more at https://www.cliweb.org/.
2. SpacesEDU: Helping districts capture durable skill development and digital portfolios to make learning visible. Discover how to transform your assessment tools at https://spacesedu.com/en/.

1. Grading reform requires a shift toward standards to ensure fairness and rigor.
2. Accurate communication regarding student learning is the foundation of the educator-parent relationship.
3. Systemic transformation is necessary to ensure a student’s long-term economic viability and success.

1. #EducationLeadership #GradingReform #StandardsBasedGrading #ForwardEd #K12Education #Assessment #SpacesEDU #CLI

It’s March. The initial adrenaline of the school year has faded, and for many school leaders, the data graphs aren't moving despite Herculean efforts. In this episode of Your Morning Boost, Adam Busch sits down with University Professor and educational transformation expert Dr. Doug Stilwell to discuss why surface-level changes—like new schedules or software—often fail to produce lasting results.

School leaders are working harder than ever—but in many cases, results aren’t improving. Why?

In this episode of Your Morning Boost, we unpack why common school improvement strategies fail to create real change—and what actually drives measurable results.

You’ll learn:

• Why surface-level changes don’t move student outcomes
• The role of systems thinking in school improvement
• What leaders can do differently starting this week
• If your data isn’t moving despite strong effort, this episode will help you rethink your approach.

1. Effective leadership coaching focuses on empowering individuals to embrace their authentic selves and foster impactful relationships.
2. Jim Wichman's journey underscores the significance of vulnerability in leadership, facilitating stronger connections and trust within educational communities.
3. Celebrating small victories in education cultivates a positive atmosphere that encourages collaboration and enhances overall morale among educators.
4. Leaders must prioritize self-care and establish boundaries to maintain their effectiveness and prevent burnout in demanding educational environments.
5. Fostering a culture of appreciation and recognition is essential for motivating educators and affirming their contributions to student success.
6. The importance of defining one's personal 'why' in leadership promotes clarity and alignment in decision-making and goal-setting.

1. www.awbeducation.org

1. The ForwardEd Network
2. Inspired Edification
3. Jimmy Casas and Associates

Are you fighting your own biology to stay calm while your classroom feels like it’s slipping away? Welcome to the “Long Stretch” of March—where high-empathy philosophy meets the reality of a Tuesday morning.

In this episode of Your Morning Boost, Adam Busch explores how the rise of gentle and respectful parenting has shifted the social contract in K–12 schools. As authority moves from positional power to relational trust, educators are feeling the strain of balancing compassion with accountability.

Key takeaways include:

1. The Shift in Authority – Building relational trust without sacrificing boundaries.
2. Ruinous Empathy – Why being “too nice” can unintentionally increase anxiety and instability.
3. The Calm Pivot – A practical three-step tool for acknowledging feelings while holding firm expectations.
4. Emotional Labor in Education – Navigating role strain without burning out.

This episode challenges educators to cultivate both warmth and clarity—high empathy paired with high expectations.

Looking to continue the conversation? Join the community at the ForwardEd Network.

Explore more at:

1. www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
2. www.forwardednetwork.com

Subscribe, share, and review to help more educators discover the work.

This episode may include AI-assisted content.

Is your feedback building professional capacity or simply creating anxiety? In this episode of Control Shift Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch sit down with school administrator Kanika Dorsey to dismantle the "gotcha" culture of school observations.Kanika shares her powerful framework for moving toward non-evaluative feedback, emphasizing that the most impactful leadership happens when you leave the laptop at the door and pick up a sticky note. We discuss the "Control" of the feedback loop, the "Shift" toward high-frequency, low-stakes walkthroughs, and how to "Lead" by empowering teachers to facilitate their own instructional rounds.Whether you are a seasoned principal or an aspiring leader, this conversation offers a blueprint for building a culture of trust, focusing on "one or two things" for sustainable growth, and keeping student achievement at the heart of every classroom visit. Kanika also shares her deeply personal journey of resilience—from a single parent in the Bronx to a powerhouse instructional leader—reminding us why leading with heart is non-negotiable in K-12 education. This is a ForwardEd Network production.

Connect With Our Guest & Hosts

Kanika Dorsey:

1. Instagram: @kanikadorsey

Reach out to the Hosts:

1. Adam Busch: [email protected]
2. Jim Wichman: [email protected]

Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.

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This episode includes AI-generated content.