Welcome back to Your Morning Boost, the podcast that gives you the insights you need to lead your school community with clarity and purpose. Today, we're talking about how to conduct an honest, illuminating deep dive into your school's current reality using a powerful and straightforward tool: the SWOT analysis. This exercise helps you systematically identify your school's internal Strengths and Weaknesses, as well as the external Opportunities and Threats that are influencing your environment. It's the essential first step in crafting a strategic plan that is both realistic and ambitious. Learn how to bring a diverse group of stakeholders together for a collective, honest reflection and turn your findings into a clear and actionable strategy for growth and improvement. 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.

In this episode of "Your Morning Boost," host Adam Busch explores the transformative power of the High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework, introduced by Dr. Robert J. Marzano. Discover how this research-based approach can systematically prevent failure and ensure success for all students by fostering a safe, collaborative culture and guaranteeing effective teaching and a consistent curriculum. Join us as we delve into the steps schools can take to build a culture of excellence and reliability. Reflect on how you can contribute to making your school a more reliable place for students and staff. Tune in for insights and inspiration to lead with purpose every day. 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.

On this final episode of our week-long series, Your Morning Boost host and guest Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children, bring it all together. After exploring "the goal of the goal," "studying the bright spots," and "starting with a burst," Shaka introduces the final, crucial step: "tapping motivation." Using the classic story of Tom Sawyer, he illustrates how making parent engagement desirable rather than a burden is the key to creating a powerful and lasting partnership. Shaka encourages school leaders to reframe engagement as a service, not a chore, by considering what parents and students genuinely want, such as finding allies in the parenting process or sharing their lives with teachers. Tune in for the final piece of the puzzle and learn how to foster a school community where everyone is motivated to participate. Guest Shaka Mitchell - https://shakamitchell.substack.com/ 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.

Welcome back to Your Morning Boost! Our guest, Shaka Mitchell, returns today to share a powerful concept for school leaders: "starting with a burst." Building on the previous days' discussions on identifying goals, studying bright spots, and targeting constraints, Shaka now advocates for an intense period of focused work at the beginning of the school year. He draws an analogy from the tech world's "design sprint" and applies it to education, suggesting a dramatic action like home visits. Shaka explains that by taking the initiative to meet parents on their own turf, schools can establish a strong, trusting relationship that will yield exponential benefits throughout the entire year. Tune in to learn how a concentrated effort can set a positive tone for lasting parent-faculty partnerships. Guest Shaka Mitchell - https://shakamitchell.substack.com/ 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.

On this Wednesday's episode of Your Morning Boost, we continue our conversation with special guest Shaka Mitchell. Following his previous insights on finding the "goal of the goal" and "studying the bright spots," Shaka introduces another powerful strategy: "targeting the constraint." He explains that successful parent engagement is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather requires identifying and addressing the unique obstacles within a school community. He provides practical examples of common constraints, such as transportation, work schedules, and childcare, and suggests tangible ways to overcome them. Tune in to learn how to pinpoint and tackle the specific challenges holding back your school's family engagement efforts. Guest Shaka Mitchell - https://shakamitchell.substack.com/ 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.

On today's episode of Your Morning Boost, we welcome back special guest, Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children. Following up on yesterday's discussion about "the goal of the goal," Shaka now introduces a new leverage point for school leaders: "studying the bright spots." He challenges the common educational practice of focusing on what isn't working and instead encourages listeners to identify and analyze areas where parent engagement is already thriving. Shaka provides actionable advice, such as looking at successful community organizations like the YMCA and connecting with other schools that excel at family engagement. He emphasizes that sharing ideas and replicating successful conditions can lead to powerful, school-wide improvements. Tune in for more insights on building a strong and engaged school community. Guest Shaka Mitchell - https://shakamitchell.substack.com/ 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.

This week on Your Morning Boost, we are joined by special guest, Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children. Shaka will be sharing his insights on one of the most important relationships in a student's education: the partnership between parents and schools. He kicks off the week by discussing the concept of "the goal of the goal," a framework for improving parent engagement by looking beyond vanity metrics like event attendance and focusing on what truly matters—building strong, lasting relationships. Shaka shares a powerful framework from the book Reset by Dan Heath, explaining how a small amount of effort in the right place can yield disproportionate results. Tune in to learn how to strengthen the parent-school partnership and set students up for success. Guest Shaka Mitchell - https://shakamitchell.substack.com/ 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.

This episode of "Your Morning Boost" explores the complex journey of English learners (ELs) beyond grammar and vocabulary. We delve into the significant, often-overlooked challenges they face, including navigating cultural nuances, achieving social integration, and adapting to new educational and professional environments.Through compelling personal stories and expert insights, we provide a comprehensive look at the hurdles that shape the EL experience. Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation for the immense resilience and adaptability required to not only learn a new language but to thrive within a new linguistic and cultural landscape. 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.

In this episode, we're inspired by Jocko Willink's powerful philosophy, a no-excuses approach that centers on extreme ownership.Discover how taking full responsibility for every outcome—good or bad—can fundamentally shift your mindset from that of a passive victim to an active, empowered problem-solver. We delve into how Willink's principles can help you turn setbacks into valuable growth opportunities through consistent self-reflection and daily self-assessment.Tune in as we explore the core idea that discipline equals freedom in leadership, and learn to apply these principles to unlock your true potential and lead with unwavering accountability. 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.

Inspired by an article from Education Week, we explore what most teachers agree is their top priority on the first day of school: building strong connections with their students. Discover why this isn't just a "feel-good" idea, but a research-backed strategy central to tackling major educational challenges. We discuss how simple actions, like a genuine "hello" or a conversation about a student's weekend, can have an incredible impact on school culture.We'll share actionable strategies for school leaders, from being visible in hallways and greeting students by name to giving teachers the time and space needed for community-building activities. Learn how prioritizing relationships can reduce chronic absenteeism, decrease misbehavior, and boost overall student engagement. 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.