Highlights:

• Rethinking Introductions: Moving past the "stand and introduce yourself" format to more personal, engaging methods.
• The Power of Mentorship: Assigning a "buddy" to new staff members to provide immediate support and connection.
• Personalized Welcome Resources: Creating thoughtful welcome packets that go beyond HR paperwork to include fun facts and local tips.
• Engaging Activities: Using low-pressure team-building activities to help new and veteran staff connect.
• Continuous Celebration: Subtle ways to make new staff feel seen and appreciated throughout the year.

Listen in to learn how to make your new staff feel like they truly belong from the very start.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

As a new school year approaches, we're tackling a common challenge: making preservice meetings engaging, inspiring, and truly beneficial for staff. In this episode, we explore strategies to transform those typically dull sessions into dynamic, value-driven experiences. The key is to move from passive listening to active learning. We discuss incorporating collaborative activities, infusing inspiration by connecting professional development to student success, and breaking up the monotony with variety and movement. The episode emphasizes the importance of respecting staff's time and providing actionable takeaways they can use immediately. By making preservice week engaging and purposeful, you are setting a positive tone for the entire school year and investing in your team's enthusiasm and effectiveness.   Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

In this episode, we reflect on the profound impact we can have when we choose to do more than the bare minimum and commit to going above and beyond. We share a powerful story originally told by Kevin Elko about a young boy named Jacob and the life-changing actions of a fire chief and his team.This story serves as a reminder that the moments where our actions truly impact others aren't always planned or convenient. It's about recognizing that every interaction, every decision, and every supportive word carries the potential for immense impact. The episode is a call for school leaders to embrace a mindset of "doing better than that" every day, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities and leaving a legacy far greater than any task list.   Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

In this special recap episode, we dive into the Fitting Five, a collection of valuable articles designed for modern school leaders. We'll explore four key topics: the growing influence of AI on student connection and the need to prioritize authentic relationships; how to be a proactive, purpose-driven leader by taking control of your day; shifting student motivation through a policy of reassessment over simple redos; and why Contextual Intelligence (CQ) is the most valuable skill for leaders in the age of AI, surpassing traditional IQ and EQ.This episode is packed with inspiration to help you lead with purpose, clarity, and genuine human connection in a rapidly changing world.

Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost--6612702/support.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

In this episode, we're diving into a powerful topic inspired by Dr. Brian Davidson's work on non-cognitive skills. We'll explore why factors like grit, self-discipline, and resilience are just as important as traditional academic knowledge (the 3 Rs). Research from experts like Angela Duckworth and Martin Seligman shows that self-discipline is a better predictor of academic success than IQ.We'll discuss why, despite this growing body of evidence, our education system has largely focused on cognitive skills. This episode is a call to action to take a more holistic approach to education. What if we had classes designed to explicitly build self-motivation, perseverance, and resilience? Join us as we explore the transformational power of cultivating these "it" factors in our students to prepare them not just for academic achievement, but for success in life.

You can read the article that inspired this episode here: https://www.creativitypost.com/article/lets_start_teaching_the_skills_that_matter_most

Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost--6612702/support.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

In this episode, we continue our monthly deep dive into the Fitting Five, focusing on a thought-provoking article that redefines what it means to be a truly effective leader in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. We'll be exploring why the classic combination of IQ and EQ is no longer enough and introducing a new, critical form of intelligence that is becoming the ultimate differentiator for success: Contextual Intelligence, or CQ.With AI handling data and routine tasks, the most valuable human skill is shifting. CQ is the ability to understand the bigger picture, read the unwritten rules, and apply knowledge in a way that is deeply relevant to a specific environment. For a school leader, this means making decisions that are not just correct on paper but are also sensitive and effective in practice, reminding us that the most valuable form of leadership will always be uniquely and profoundly human.

You can read the article that inspired this episode here: https://www.fastcompany.com/91349501/in-the-age-of-ai-iq-and-eq-are-no-longer-enough-heres-why

Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost--6612702/support.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

In this episode, we continue our monthly deep dive into the Fitting Five, focusing on a critical aspect of school leadership: student motivation. We’ll be exploring a powerful strategy highlighted in an EdWeek article titled, "What Would Motivate Teens to Work Harder in School? The Chance to Redo Assignments." The article argues that a thoughtful redo policy can boost student motivation. We take this a step further, adding that our opinion is to focus on reassessment, not just a "redo" of assignments.

The goal is to ensure students have multiple opportunities to show they have mastered a standard through varied assessments, shifting the focus from simply chasing points to true learning and ownership.This approach builds crucial skills like resilience and accountability and empowers students to become active participants in their education. It communicates to students that their learning journey is more important than their initial performance and fosters a school culture where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, not as failures.

You can read the article that inspired this episode here: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-would-motivate-teens-to-work-harder-in-school-the-chance-to-redo-assignments/2023/02?utm_source=li&utm_medium=soc&utm_campaign=edit

Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost--6612702/support.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Welcome to Your Morning Boost, the podcast dedicated to equipping school leaders with the insights and encouragement they need for a fantastic day.In this episode, we continue our monthly deep dive into the Fitting Five, focusing on the article, "Do the Day — Don’t Let the Day Do You." We challenge leaders to re-examine how they spend their time and energy, and to consider the profound difference between being a reactive problem-solver and a proactive, purpose-driven leader. We explore how to stop drifting and start driving by being deliberate with our energy and priorities. The key takeaway is a simple yet profound challenge: to reclaim our role as proactive leaders.

You can read the article that inspired this episode here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/394942/160837459950700336

Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost--6612702/support.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Welcome to Your Morning Boost, the podcast designed to give school leaders the insights and inspiration you need to conquer your day. Happy Monday! We're kicking off the first Monday of August with our monthly deep dive into the Fitting Five, a handpicked selection of valuable articles featured in the Grundmeyer Leader Services newsletter, powered by AWB Education.

This episode, we're focusing on an article that reveals how a significant portion of teenagers feel talking to a chatbot is just as satisfying as a conversation with a real person. We explore what this profound shift means for our schools and how leaders must double down on fostering authentic human connection in a digital age. It's a powerful lesson that the most important technology in our schools will always be the human heart.

Read the article discussed in this episode here:
https://www.edweek.org/technology/one-third-of-teens-are-as-satisfied-talking-to-a-chatbot-as-a-real-person/2025/07

Learn more about Grundmeyer Leader Services at grundmeyerleadersearch.com and AWB Education at awbeducation.org.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost--6612702/support.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

This "Boost Bundle" provides a week's worth of crucial insights for school leaders. This comprehensive episode covers: supporting English Learners in math by addressing linguistic challenges; empathetically assisting students from challenging home environments while maintaining academic rigor; fostering unity between fine arts and athletics to celebrate all student talents; strategies for becoming a recognized thought leader and sharing your expertise; and guiding assistant principals and other rising leaders for their next career move through intentional development. A vital resource for holistic leadership growth and cultivating the next generation of educators.This episode is brought to you by awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost--6612702/support.  Learn more about our sponsors at awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com.