Welcome to the first episode of 2026! As the hallways fill back up this January, school leaders often find themselves running on two tracks: staying present with students while simultaneously looking toward the horizon of hiring season. This episode explores why hiring isn't just an administrative task—it’s the deep, human work of culture building and imagining the future of your team.

Host Adam Busch dives into the tension of professional growth, addressing the unspoken guilt many educators feel when considering a new path. Whether you are looking to "grow where you are planted" or preparing to move to a new garden, this episode offers a reflective look at how to support colleagues in their transitions and how to ensure your school is a place people want to join—and are allowed to grow out of.

Listen, subscribe, and share to help us reach more leaders in this incredible profession.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to the first show of 2026! We are kicking off the New Year with a "heavy hitter" in the world of education. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Townsley, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa and the acclaimed author of Making Grades Matter.If you have ever felt that traditional grading systems—driven by points, percentages, and "extra credit Kleenex boxes"—don’t accurately reflect what your students actually know, this conversation is for you. Dr. Townsley challenges us to move from a culture of "earning" to a culture of "learning."

Key Highlights:

• The Power of Redos and Retakes: Why honoring different learning paces is essential for student success and how to implement a plan that avoids the "end-of-semester dump."
• The 21-Point Inspection: A brilliant analogy for shifting grading from vague percentages to detailed, standard-based feedback.
• Communication Over Compliance: How to move away from using grades as "carrots and sticks" and start using them as a clear map for student growth.
• Practical Leadership: Tips for principals on how to affirm teachers who are already innovating in their assessment practices.

Stop chasing points and start focusing on evidence of learning. Tune in to learn how to diagnose the "holes in the bucket" and provide meaningful interventions that truly help students master their goals.

Connect with Dr. Matt Townsley:

• University Profile: University of Northern Iowa Faculty
• Book: Making Grades Matter

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

Join host Melissa Grinstead, Lead ESOL Contributor for AWB Education, as she tackles a critical and often-overlooked group of students: Long-Term English Learners (LTELs). These are students who have spent five or more years in English learning programs yet still struggle to access grade-level content due to difficulties with academic language.

Melissa explores why LTELs often get overlooked in classroom settings, emphasizing the crucial distinction between conversational language (BICS) and academic language (CALP)




Understanding this difference is key to identifying specific skill gaps that prevent LTELs from achieving academic success.Listeners will receive a set of highly practical, actionable strategies for supporting LTELs, including:

• Providing explicit instruction in advanced academic vocabulary and complex grammar structures.
• Utilizing visuals and realia to make abstract concepts concrete.
• Implementing sentence frames and graphic organizers to scaffold complex writing and discussions.
• Creating meaningful collaborative learning opportunities to practice academic discourse.
• Strategically leveraging students' native languages (L1) as a resource for cognitive development and content comprehension.

The episode also provides invaluable tips for engaging families and ensuring that all classroom supports are inclusive, recognizing the immense potential of LTELs when they receive targeted instruction.Sponsored by: AWB Education and Grundmeyer Leader Services.Find out more about our work at:

• awbeducation.org
• grundmeyerleadersearch.com

Listen to the full episode:
https://push.fm/fl/yourmorningboost

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

Tune in for your daily dose of professional development! This episode features host Melissa Grinstead, a lead ESOL contributor for AWB Education, as she shares crucial insights and practical strategies for educators working with refugee English Learners (ELs). Refugee students often arrive with unique needs, including experiencing trauma and having limited formal education, which can present challenges in the classroom.Melissa addresses how educators can effectively support these resilient students by:

• Addressing the impacts of trauma and limited formal education.
• Developing strategies for overcoming significant language barriers.
• Creating safe, welcoming, and culturally responsive classroom environments.
• Partnering effectively with families through the use of interpreters and cultural liaisons.
• Collaborating with district outreach programs to connect students and families with essential community resources.

Melissa dispels common misconceptions about refugee students, highlights their inherent resilience and academic potential, and offers actionable strategies to build strong relationships, celebrate incremental gains, and foster a deep sense of belonging for every student.Sponsored by: Grundmeyer Leader Services and AWB Education.Find out more about our work and designing edge instructional practices and personalized coaching at:

• awbeducation.org
• grundmeyerleadersearch.com

Listen to the full episode: https://push.fm/fl/yourmorningboost

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

Join host Lisa Hill, as she dives into the wonderfully chaotic world of parents—the emails, the phone calls, the parking lot drama, and the moments that leave you wondering how some of these adults survived childhood and are now raising kids of their own. Because if you think students keep things interesting… wait until you hear what their parents do. Realtor Janae Griffith
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Vice Principal UnOfficed website has moved! Boomark my new site: https://viceprincipalunofficed.com/ Email me: [email protected] Check out photos from each Vice Principal UnOfficed episode at:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Resources used for Vice Principal UnOfficed can be found here. Thanks for listening! #KeepLaughing&Learning

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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

Join Melissa Grinstead, a lead ESOL contributor to the work of AWB Education, as she dives into a crucial topic for all educators: effective resources for supporting newcomer English Learners (ELs). Addressing the daunting challenge of language barriers in content-area classrooms (math, science, social studies), Melissa shares a curated list of tangible tools, strategies, and supports.Discover a variety of invaluable resources designed to help ELs access rigorous curriculum content and bridge the linguistic gap. Melissa highlights:

• The fantastic, comprehensive resources available on the Colorín Colorado website.
• The benefit of checking out educational blogs, particularly mentioning the gems found on Larry Ferlazzo's site.
• The professional development and assessment frameworks offered by the ELPA21 and WIDA websites.
• PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next as game-changers for visual learners, providing linguistically simplified, academic content.
• The Noun Project as a quick source for high-quality visuals and icons to supplement instruction.
• The power of Newsela for providing content-area articles at adjustable Lexile levels, making differentiation practical for later elementary and secondary students.

Melissa emphasizes that while tools are essential, patience and empathy are paramount as you support your learners. Remember to celebrate every piece of progress in their language acquisition journey.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Your Morning Boost, presented by Grundmeyer Leader Services, where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.In this episode, we explore simple, low-cost strategies for cultivating powerful student leadership without the need for implementing full-scale, expensive programs. This is essential listening for educators looking to foster a positive school culture and boost student confidence using creativity and small, impactful actions.Key strategies and topics covered:

• Peer Mentorship: Simple ways to facilitate connections, such as pairing older and younger students for activities like reading.
• Leveraging Technology: Using tools like Zoom to create engaging, cross-grade connections and collaboration opportunities.
• Showcasing Student Work: Methods for broadening recognition of student achievements beyond the classroom.
• Strengthening Home-School Connections: The significant impact of quick, positive calls home to celebrate student successes.

The episode emphasizes leveraging brief moments and small actions—like pairing classmates to share standout work—that produce meaningful long-term benefits for student confidence and the overall learning environment.Takeaways: You will gain practical ideas that can be implemented immediately to encourage leadership, highlight student successes, and foster a positive learning environment. Keep boosting your impact!Learn more about our work and resources at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

Prepare to expand your thinking and challenge your assumptions with this special "Booster Shot" episode, which offers a deeper dive into pressing issues in education!We welcome Dr. Darren Pepperd, the visionary behind "The Road to Awesome," for an insightful conversation. Discover the inspiring transformation in school leadership that stemmed from Dr. Pepperd's own experiences as a high school principal, shifting the focus to positivity, empowerment, and impactful change.In this episode, Dr. Pepperd shares his journey of moving away from traditional disciplinary practices to intentionally recognizing and nurturing the strengths of both students and staff.Listeners will learn about:

• The Principal Academy: Dr. Pepperd's innovative program designed to support school leaders at various stages of their careers with coaching and mentorship.
• Resources from Road to Awesome: Focusing on cultivating leadership that emphasizes clarity, intentionality, and purpose.
• Building a Thriving School Culture: Gaining a fresh perspective on the vital role of empowered leaders in fostering positive educational environments.
• Success Stories: Hearing real-world examples that underscore the profound impact of this leadership philosophy.
• Sneak Peek: Dr. Pepperd gives a look into his upcoming book, Culture First Classrooms, co-authored with Katie Kinder, which focuses on creating empowering learning environments from the ground up.

Check out Dr. Pepperd's work at:

• https://roadtoawesome.net/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode of Your Morning Boost, presented by Grundmeyer Leader Services in response to a listener question, we explore how public schools can celebrate the winter holidays inclusively while fully respecting the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.This episode provides essential, practical guidance for school administrators and staff on focusing on secular traditions and honoring cultural diversity, including holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the winter solstice. We also discuss encouraging community service projects as an inclusive alternative.Key topics include:

• Guidance on neutral decorations and student-made displays.
• Planning inclusive music programs and performances.
• Accommodating dietary needs and cultural preferences during school parties.
• Selecting inclusive games and festive activities.
• Legally handling religious observances and excused absences.

The discussion emphasizes avoiding school-sponsored religious activities while ensuring full support for student-led observances.Key Takeaways: Consult with parents and guardians, prioritize secular and cultural traditions, create student-centered festive displays, offer varied musical selections, coordinate inclusive food and activities, and ensure legal and respectful accommodations for all religious observances.Grundmeyer Leader Services: Together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.Learn more about our work and resources at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.

This focused leadership briefing from Your Morning Boost offers concise, actionable strategies for supporting first-year teachers. This episode is essential listening for principals and instructional coaches looking to cultivate a welcoming school culture that helps new educators thrive and grow into confident, long-term professionals.Key strategies covered include:

• Effective mentorship pairing and building strong mentor relationships.
• The importance of regular check-ins, collaboration, and communication.
• Designing a comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development program.
• Scheduling effective observations and delivering constructive feedback.
• Practical goal-setting to avoid overwhelming new teachers and design realistic expectations to reduce stress and prevent burnout.
• Offering both technical and emotional support to new staff.

Listen now for quick, implementable ideas to make a difference!Learn more about our work and resources at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.Listen Here:
https://push.fm/fl/yourmorningboost

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-forwarded-network-advancing-voices-shaping-education--6630377/support.

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.

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 #theForwardEDnetwork.

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



This episode includes AI-generated content.