Your Morning Boost - ForwardEd

Did you know your brain health is the single most critical factor influencing your classroom dynamics and student achievement? 🧠 This episode, "Unlocking Classroom Success Through Teacher Well-Being," dives into the neuroscience behind effective teaching. We explore how a teacher's resilience and emotional regulation are directly linked to positive student outcomes, offering simple yet powerful "neuro hacks" you can implement today. Learn why mindfulness reshapes your brain, how quick colleague connections release stress-reducing oxytocin, and why physical movement is "nature's balm for brain health." The foundation of all pedagogical impact is your well-being. Don't pour from an empty cup—discover how to work from a place of strength! CTA: Ready to enhance your mental health and boost student achievement? Subscribe, share this vital episode with a colleague who needs a break, and find more resources at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.

Do you feel like a single test score fails to capture your students' true potential? You're not alone! This episode dives straight into the limitations of traditional assessment models and explores groundbreaking, actionable strategies to measure the whole child—not just the percentile. Discover three key ways to redefine success in your classroom: 1) Implement soft skill rubrics to formally grade critical thinking and collaboration alongside content; 2) Celebrate the learning journey by using digital portfolios and growth narratives to show progress and effort over fixed outcomes; and 3) Utilize high-quality formative feedback as a primary metric to focus on "not yet" status and growth mindset. It’s time to look past memorization and value the messy, vital process of learning. Don't let your students' unique talents go unseen! Choose to see their potential, not just their performance. Subscribe, share this vital message with a colleague, and visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources to transform your educational practice. 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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.

Schools don’t just teach reading, writing, and arithmetic—they also hand out a second language: acronyms. From PLCs to PBIS to IEPs, education has turned everyday conversations into a bowl of alphabet soup that even seasoned teachers struggle to swallow. In this episode of Vice Principal UnOfficed, join me, your host Lisa Hill as I take you inside the world of school acronyms—why we love them, how they confuse everyone else, and what happens when your staff meeting starts sounding more like a codebreaking mission. Realtor Janae Griffith
Janae Griffith has 19 years experience in buying and selling homes in Central Iowa.

Wee's Tees
Custom prints done right—Wee’s Tees brings your vision to life on and off the field.

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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.

Are you perpetually overwhelmed by the relentless pace of school life—grading, meetings, and planning? Is this constant activity helping or hindering true, meaningful engagement for you and your students? In this impactful episode, we deconstruct the pervasive "culture of busyness" in education, examining how the hidden curriculum of exhaustion robs us of deeper thinking and focus. Discover three actionable coaching strategies you can implement immediately to help students shift their mindset from simply surviving the grind to thriving through strategic productivity: 1) Model a meaningful learning audit to distinguish between busywork and growth; 2) Champion "less but better" assignments for deeper thinking and higher quality feedback; and 3) Normalize strategic downtime and reflection as a critical tool for consolidating learning. Learn how to exchange the exhausting sprint for a focused, powerful marathon. Don't just manage stress; foster the deep, authentic, intellectual growth that lasts a lifetime. Subscribe, listen, and share this vital message with a colleague! For more innovative education insights, visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.

Today, we wrap up our monthly deep dive into the Grundmeyer Leader Services Fitting Five newsletter on a serious but necessary note, examining a powerful piece from District Administration titled, "Crisis in the Making, Superintendent Shortages Real and Getting Worse."This article, authored by Josh Gee of the American Association of School Administrators, addresses a profound and growing challenge: the looming scarcity of qualified school leaders.The piece paints a clear picture of why the superintendent role is increasingly difficult to fill. We discuss key contributing factors, including:

1. Increased Public Scrutiny and Political Pressure: The role has become one of the most publicly scrutinized and politically charged in the nation, leading to burnout and reluctance among seasoned leaders.
2. Immense Personal and Professional Sacrifices: The weight of budget decisions, disciplinary actions, and staff well-being is overwhelming, leading to retention challenges.
3. A Shrinking Pipeline: Fewer aspiring leaders are willing to consider the role, which has huge implications for the vision and direction of entire school districts.

The authors lay out the problem with clarity, leaving us to consider: What can be done to not only fill these roles but to make them truly sustainable for the long haul?We conclude with a reminder that despite the challenges, the core work of making a genuine, tangible difference in the lives of students and staff is what matters most. 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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.

Happy National Custodial Workers Recognition Day! Today, as we continue exploring the Grundmeyer Leader Services Fitting Five newsletter, we tackle a deeply relevant piece from Education Week by Lorraine Larengo titled, "Here's How Teachers really feel about the rise of AI in K-12 education."Following our recent discussion on the "lightbulb moment" of LLMs, this article provides an on-the-ground perspective, highlighting the genuine and often conflicting emotions teachers have about this rapidly evolving technology.  The survey reveals teachers are deeply divided: some see AI as a time-saving tool for administrative tasks and lesson creation, while others worry it undermines critical thinking and creativity in students. This is a very real conflict leaders must address.A critical piece of feedback is that many teachers feel the professional development they receive on AI is uncritical and resembles product marketing. Leaders must move beyond showcasing potential to provide training for a deeper, more critical understanding of the technology.  Finally, the article makes the crucial point that teachers turning to AI for curriculum creation is a band-aid for systemic issues of being overworked and under-resourced. The real solution requires addressing these core problems in the teaching profession.  Your role as a leader is to facilitate an open, empathetic dialogue, acknowledging fears while building a bridge of trust that allows for innovation without compromising the core values of our profession. 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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.

It’s October 1st, and the latest Grundmeyer Leader Services Fitting Five newsletter is officially out! Today, we dive into one of the most practical and necessary articles from this month’s edition: an Edutopia piece titled, "Managing Your Gmail Inbox: Tips for Educators."If your inbox feels like a bottomless pit, this is your lifeline. We explore why inbox management is a critical leadership skill and share actionable tips to help you regain control, reduce stress, and reclaim your focus for what truly matters: your students and staff.  The episode advocates for the zero-inbox philosophy—not about an empty inbox forever, but about a daily routine where you deal with each message purposefully: delete, delegate, respond immediately, or defer. This eliminates the mental clutter of unfinished tasks.We also discuss leveraging built-in Gmail tools like labels, filters, and templates to streamline your communication (think a "parent communication" label or "urgent staff needs" filter).Ultimately, managing your digital workspace is an act of self-care and a strategy for effective leadership. A clear inbox leads to a clear mind, allowing you to be fully present and responsive to your school community. 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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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 Control Shift Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch welcome Scott Jarvis, an expert in athletic administration and leadership. The conversation explores the importance of controlling one's time, shifting perspectives in leadership, and leading with love and vulnerability. Scott emphasizes that everyone has the potential to be a leader and that building relationships and trust is essential in education. The episode is filled with insights on how educators can make a positive impact in their communities and the lives of their students.



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, From Carpool to College, 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 back to Your Morning Boost! As we continue our deep dive into the Grundmeyer Leader Services Fitting Five newsletter, we tackle an incredibly relevant opinion piece from Education Week titled, "Asked 100 Leaders for Their Top Challenges. Here's what we learned."This article, authored by Michael and John SFW of the Education Trust, shares powerful insights from leaders like you on the most pressing problems of practice in schools today.We break down two striking findings: student engagement and a culture of collaboration. Engagement, the authors stress, is less about time on task and more about relevance and student ownership. Leaders must ask: How do we cultivate student voice and agency?We also discuss the essential shift from contrived collaboration to joint work, where risks are shared, and feedback fuels improvement. How do you, as a leader, move from a top-down mandate to a truly collaborative partnership with your staff?Finally, we address the critical issue of leaders lacking the time or systems to effectively use the data they collect. The real challenge lies in moving beyond simply looking at data to creating a concrete theory of action that ties back to daily classroom practices.  This episode is a clear map of the challenges—it's up to you to start drawing the routes to a more effective, supportive school culture. 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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.

Today on Your Morning Boost, we dive into the first of five featured articles from the monthly Grundmeyer Leader Services Fitting Five newsletter. In a piece originally reported in Psychology Today by Dr. Hugo Kui, titled "All Scientists May Have Discovered LLM's Lightbulb Moment," new research suggests that Large Language Models (LLMs) experience a sharp "phase transition" where they suddenly switch from simple pattern-matching to a genuine grasp of meaning.This intellectual leap has profound implications for school leaders. We unpack what this means for guiding the integration and critique of AI in your classrooms. Learn why you must move beyond basic AI tool instruction and urgently focus on critical analysis of AI-generated content. Discover a principal's approach—shifting the learning goal from product creation to cognitive evaluation by requiring students to critique the AI's biases and gaps.This episode emphasizes that leaders must stress assignments requiring human-only skills like ethical reasoning, emotional intelligence, and real-world synthesis. The research underscores the need to advocate for greater transparency from tech developers, ensuring our academic standards evolve with, rather than erode against, these more intellectually capable tools.Don't let technology stand still while your leadership does! This is a wake-up call to sharpen your focus from merely integrating AI to profoundly teaching for a world with AI. 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/your-morning-boost-forwarded--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 ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, 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.