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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.

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.org Grundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.com Got a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.

Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?

• Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
• Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
• Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
• Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.

Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The Edify Network.



This episode includes AI-generated content.