AWB Education
Welcome to the AWB Education Podcast Network, your go-to source for empowering and guiding school leaders! Start your day with ”Your Morning Boost” for quick insights and inspiration to tackle the challenges of educational leadership. For a deeper dive, tune into ”Your Booster Shot” and explore key strategies and practical advice to effectively lead your school community. Want even more? Check out CTRL+Shift+Lead for the advice and conversation you need to lead your school or district. With even more insightful podcasts on the horizon, the AWB Education network is your partner in navigating the complexities of today’s educational landscape. Subscribe now and join us as we empower you to lead with confidence and impact!
Episodes

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
Welcome to Your Morning Boost, brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services. This episode takes a deep dive into the Fitting 5 newsletter, focusing on the article, "Why Top-Down Reforms Are Failing Our Schools" by the Deming Institute. The discussion critiques traditional educational reforms and emphasizes the importance of profound knowledge and continuous improvement.
The episode argues that meaningful change in education comes from empowering educators, students, and administrators rather than imposing reforms from the top down. Highlighting the concept of profound knowledge, as championed by W. Edwards Deming, it explains how an in-depth understanding of educational systems is crucial for implementation success.
Tune in for insights on balancing accountability with local autonomy and join the conversation about embracing a bottom-up, systematic approach to educational reform. Don't miss out on these valuable insights from the Fitting 5 newsletter to transform your leadership game.
Sign up for the Fitting 5 here!

Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
Welcome to Your Morning Boost, presented by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services. In today's episode, host Adam Busch explores Arthur C. Brooks' thought-provoking article from the Harvard Business Review titled, "Does More Money Really Make Us More Happy?"
Brooks challenges the conventional wisdom of the wealth-happiness link, suggesting happiness is influenced more by relative income and non-monetary factors like relationships and purpose. He questions how spending habits, such as spending on experiences versus material items, play a role in our happiness.
With a nod to current inflation concerns, Adam encourages listeners to rethink how financial goals impact true fulfillment and invites them to explore Brooks' insights for a more balanced and meaningful approach to life. Don't miss this valuable read in the Fitting 5 newsletter. Thanks for joining Your Morning Boost—leading you to a more fulfilled life.
Sign up for the Fitting 5 here!

Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
In this episode of Your Morning Boost, we wrap up a series on Section 504 by emphasizing the crucial role of consistent follow-up for effective implementation. Learn about the importance of regular monitoring to ensure accommodations truly benefit the student, as well as the significance of ongoing communication between teachers, parents, and students.
Get insights into practical strategies such as teacher feedback, informal and formal check-ins, and including student perspectives in 504 plans to enhance learning experiences. Discover how collaboration with parents and educators can lead to better educational outcomes for students facing additional challenges.
Join us as we explore how listening and adapting can transform the educational environment, ensuring that every strategy aligns with a student's current needs. Tune in for expert tips on how to make 504 plans a success and prepare to elevate your leadership with us each morning.

Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community. Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services, where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of 504 meetings, exploring how to hold a successful meeting and develop an effective 504 plan. Learn about the importance of ensuring students with disabilities have equal access to a free and appropriate public education through personalized accommodations. We discuss the distinction between IEPs and 504 plans, focusing on providing reasonable accommodations that level the playing field without offering an unfair advantage.
Gain insights into the essential components of a 504 meeting, including evaluating student strengths, identifying weaknesses, and brainstorming personalized accommodations. Discover how to tailor accommodations such as assistive technology and alternative testing formats to meet specific needs. Understand the importance of regular reviews of 504 plans to adapt to changing student needs, ensuring continued access to education.

Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Your Booster Shot
Beyond the daily dose. 'Booster Shot' episodes offer a deeper dive into the most pressing issues in education today. Prepare to expand your thinking and challenge your assumptions.
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
https://roadtoawesome.net/
Join us for an insightful episode of "Your Booster Shot" as we welcome Dr. Darren Pepperd, the mind behind "The Road to Awesome." Discover how a high school principal's experience led to an inspiring transformation in school leadership, focusing on positivity, empowerment, and impactful change.
In this episode, Dr. Pepperd shares the journey of shifting from traditional disciplinary practices to recognizing and nurturing the strengths of students and staff. Learn about his innovative program, the Principal Academy, designed to support school leaders at various stages of their careers.
Explore the resources and coaching opportunities available with Road to Awesome, emphasizing clarity, intentionality, and purpose in leadership. Gain a fresh perspective on building a thriving school culture and hear success stories that underscore the impact of empowered leaders.
Finally, get a sneak peek into Dr. Pepperd's upcoming book, "Culture First Classrooms," co-authored with Katie Kinder, which focuses on creating empowering learning environments.

Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
Welcome to an insightful episode of Your Morning Boost, designed to enrich your leadership skills within the school community. In today's episode, host Adam Busch delves into the intricacies of 504 meetings, crucial for developing effective student support plans.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparation and obtaining parental permission, even if not legally required, to foster success in the evaluation process. Learn about the essential roles and diverse expertise needed for a successful 504 eligibility meeting, including individuals familiar with the student, knowledgeable of evaluation data, and an authorized representative for district resources.
We navigate through the meeting's objectives, focusing on determining students' eligibility under section 504 and the subsequent decision on whether a support plan is necessary. Join us to better understand the steps involved in facilitating effective 504 meetings and optimizing student outcomes.

Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community. Today, we delve into a crucial aspect of education - determining student eligibility for a 504 plan. This episode provides valuable insights into the physical or mental impairments that may qualify a student for such plans and emphasizes the need for careful consideration and comprehensive evaluation. Understand how major life activities can be impacted and the importance of gathering information from various sources to create effective accommodations. Join us as we explore this vital process and promote inclusive education for all students.

Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
Welcome to Your Morning Boost, where we kick off a deep dive into Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This landmark legislation is critical for fostering inclusivity and equity in education. Today, we unravel its significance in supporting students with disabilities, distinguishing it from the ADA, and understanding its application in educational settings.
Discover how Section 504 helps remove barriers and ensure all students, regardless of disability, have the opportunity to succeed. We explore the synergy between Section 504, the ADA, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, emphasizing the importance of tailored accommodations and inclusive educational practices.
This episode is vital for educators striving to provide comprehensive support and equal access for students with disabilities. Join us as we delve into resources from the Office of Civil Rights and gain insights to enhance your leadership in fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership podcast designed to provide invaluable advice for leading your school community effectively. Join us as we delve into critical topics, starting with the ever-present challenge of student attendance.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of maintaining consistent student attendance and explore effective strategies for identifying and addressing attendance issues within schools. Learn how to analyze attendance data to reveal patterns and uncover the root causes behind student absenteeism, whether it's related to transportation, mental health challenges, or family situations.
Discover the steps you can take to create a supportive and engaging school environment that fosters regular attendance. From implementing school-wide celebrations and establishing clear attendance policies to utilizing early warning systems and offering flexible scheduling, this episode is packed with practical tips to ensure students stay on track.
Tune in for insights on building partnerships with local resources, providing one-on-one tutoring support, and continuously refining your approach based on feedback and data. Your efforts to improve attendance are not just about numbers—they're about giving every student the best chance to succeed.

Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Your Morning Boost
Ready to lead with intention? Join us for 'Your Morning Boost' – your daily dose of motivation to empower yourself and your team. Subscribe now and start your day with a powerful mindset
Check us out at:
www.awbeducation.org
www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com
In this episode of 'Your Morning Boost,' host Adam Busch tackles the critical subject of implementing Title IX supportive measures during investigations. Title IX, a crucial federal law, prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in educational programs. When an investigation is initiated, ensuring the safety and well-being of all parties involved is paramount.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of supportive measures, which are non-disciplinary and non-punitive, aimed at allowing both complainants and respondents to continue their education without undue burdens. Bush provides insights into practical supportive measures like temporary no-contact orders, class or activity restrictions, and enhanced supervision in school premises. The aim is always to provide a flexible and responsive approach, regularly reviewing and adjusting these measures to prevent unwarranted hardships.
Additionally, Bush discusses the importance of clear communication protocols and anti-retaliation measures to protect those involved in the investigation process. Providing access to support services, including counseling and academic assistance, is also highlighted as crucial for both complainants and respondents. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a safe and supportive educational environment, ensuring fairness and due process for everyone involved.