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

Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
This episode of Your Morning Boost wraps up the week's focus on tackling student absenteeism, placing a spotlight on the crucial step of communicating attendance plans to stakeholders. Gain insights into how to effectively engage various audiences including staff, parents, students, and community partners. Discover strategies for tailoring messages to highlight the importance of this collaborative effort and learn how diverse communication channels can enhance understanding and support for school attendance initiatives.Practical advice will be shared on emphasizing the positive impacts of attendance, the need for structured communication, and the creation of opportunities for feedback and collaboration. The episode underscores the significance of transparency, consistency, and partnership as essential elements in building trust and fostering a communal effort to improve student presence and success. Whether you're a school leader or an engaged community member, this discussion provides valuable guidance on steering your school community towards a more unified approach to attendance!
Find more resources at www.awbeducation.org and www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Welcome to today's episode of Your Morning Boost, brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services. This episode guides school leaders through the critical process of addressing student absenteeism. Building on insights from previous discussions, this episode focuses on forming a strategic plan to enhance student attendance.
The episode delves into prioritizing improvement areas and setting SMART goals to effectively tackle absenteeism. It emphasizes the importance of clear, actionable steps, the allocation of necessary resources, and the establishment of a robust monitoring system. Tune in as valuable strategies for improving outreach and engagement with students and families are shared.
Designed like a winning game plan, the episode encourages school leaders to be strategic and intentional in creating a supportive attendance environment. Tune in for expert advice on making significant impacts and celebrating successes as part of a continuous improvement journey. Don't miss this engaging and insightful session aimed at empowering education leaders.
Visit www.awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources.

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Join us for today's Morning Boost, where we delve into effective strategies for combating student absenteeism. This episode focuses on a critical self-assessment of existing school attendance policies and procedures. We'll explore how to analyze attendance data by grade level, demographic groups, and specific student populations to uncover patterns and trends.
We discuss the importance of clear and accessible attendance policies, early outreach to families, and consistent application to ensure equity and effectiveness. Learn about gathering stakeholder feedback from students, parents, and staff to gain insight into challenges and potential solutions for improving attendance.
Examine your school culture and climate: do students feel safe and connected? We also cover available resources, such as counselors, social workers, and community partnerships, that can address non-academic barriers. With a focus on an internal audit, you'll identify weak spots and areas that need more support to create a responsive and effective attendance strategy.

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
In this episode of "Your Morning Boost," we shift the focus from understanding the reasons behind student absenteeism to exploring effective strategies for improving attendance. The episode delves into best practices that schools can implement to tackle absenteeism.Listeners will learn about the importance of establishing proactive communication channels with families to build strong, trusting relationships from the start. The episode highlights insights on the foundational role of relationships in effective interventions. We discuss how schools can effectively use a tiered intervention approach, inspired by MTSS, to provide customized support at all levels—universal, targeted, and intensive.Listeners are encouraged to consider utilizing community resources to support individualized attendance plans and recognize good or improved attendance. The episode also sheds light on the critical role of data in identifying attendance patterns, adjusting interventions, and addressing barriers such as transportation, food, and housing.Tune in to discover how schools can create a comprehensive ecosystem of care and support to nurture student growth, ensuring every student attends school consistently.
Find more resources at www.awbeducation.org and www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
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Podcast Episode Description for Spreaker:
"Your Morning Boost" kicks off an in-depth look at student absenteeism all week long. Today we talk about the why behind this epidemic. Discover root causes ranging from personal student challenges to systemic factors affecting attendance, and learn about compassionate interventions that truly make a difference. This episode empowers school leaders with understanding and strategies to support student success.
Find more resources at www.awbeducation.org and www.grundmeyerleadersearch.com.

Friday Jun 13, 2025
Friday Jun 13, 2025
In this episode, host Jess Hanson, guest of AWB Education shifts focus to the often-overlooked support staff who keep schools operational during the summer. Discover tips for setting up school secretaries and custodians for success, from clearly defining their summer responsibilities to providing necessary resources and recognizing their contributions. Learn the importance of establishing clear communication channels and promoting staff well-being for a productive summer environment that ensures a smooth start come fall. Tune in to explore these insights and celebrate the silent heroes of the school community.

Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
In today's episode of Your Morning Boost, hosted by Jess Hansen, we delve into the crucial topic of assessing intellectual challenge within classrooms. Inspired by the May 2025 edition of Principal Leadership, this discussion aims to guide school leaders in ensuring their students are genuinely engaged in deep thinking and problem-solving.
Key points include transitioning from content-heavy teaching to fostering critical thinking, enhancing assessments to measure higher-order skills, and empowering students with voice and ownership over their learning journey. This is a must-listen for educators dedicated to nurturing independent learners ready for future challenges.

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Join Jess Hansen on Wellness Wednesday for an empowering session dedicated to school leaders prioritizing their mental health. As you navigate the demands of leadership, this episode offers practical strategies to ensure your own well-being is not neglected amidst your responsibilities.Discover the importance of deliberately scheduling personal time, incorporating mindfulness, setting boundaries, and building a supportive network. Learn how these practices, combined with a focus on sleep, nutrition, and movement, can enhance your resilience and effectiveness as a leader.This episode is a reminder that taking care of your mental health is not a luxury but a necessity for effective leadership. Listen in for advice that will help you recharge and lead with empathy and strength.

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
In this episode of Your Morning Boost, new contributor Jess Hansen shares insights on the importance of incorporating staff feedback into strategic planning for the upcoming academic year. Celebrate National Iced Tea Day with us as we explore how to create effective feedback channels with your teachers, support staff, and administrators. Discover practical tips such as using anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, and open-door policies to gather valuable insights. Jess emphasizes the significance of actively listening and acknowledging feedback, even when not every suggestion can be implemented. Learn how to synthesize and prioritize feedback while maintaining transparency with your school community. By doing so, you foster a culture of engagement and investment among your staff, leading to more successful school initiatives.Join us as we discuss how empowering your staff to share their expertise can transform school planning and create a stronger, more collaborative environment. This episode is brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services. Tune in now to unlock the potential of your school community's collective wisdom!

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
In this episode of Your Morning Boost, host Jess Hansen delves into the complexities of planning for difficult conversations, a crucial skill for school leaders. Whether it's addressing issues with staff, parents, or stakeholders, Jess offers practical strategies to ensure these discussions are both productive and positive.Listeners will learn how to define clear objectives, anticipate reactions, gather necessary facts, and choose the right time and place for impactful conversations. Drawing inspiration from Stephen Covey's principles, the episode emphasizes understanding and constructive communication as keys to transforming potentially uncomfortable dialogues into opportunities for growth.Tune in to discover how thoughtful preparation can help you lead with empathy and clarity, turning the hardest conversations into significant breakthroughs in your leadership journey.