Your Morning Boost

Digital Preservation The Strategic Necessity for Educational Institutions

Is your school's history locked away in a dusty box? It's time to unlock its potential! In this essential episode of The AWB Education Podcast, we welcome Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, CEO of History IT, to discuss why digital preservation is no longer a "nice-to-have" but a strategic necessity for every educational institution. Dr. Gwinn-Becker, an expert historian and software innovator, reveals how safeguarding your unique story is paramount to being a good steward, and how a properly cataloged digital archive transforms into a dynamic content engine that actively supports your school’s future and distinguishes it from others.
Key Takeaways: Learn the mission to "save history," understand the strategic roadmap for building a digital collection, and discover how accessibility turns your past into a powerful tool for your future.
Action: Dive deeper into preservation planning! Contact our guest Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker at www.historyIT.com or on social media at HistoryIT and #savehistory.
Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

The Educator's Superpower Mastering the Art of Reading the Room

Do you wish you could stop disruptions before they start? This episode dives into the essential educator superpower: the ability to read the room and decode students' nonverbal cues. We argue that nearly every classroom disruption gives off secret signals that can be identified through careful, proactive observation.
Learn to identify and respond to three types of subtle cues: Physical Shifts (like slumped posture signaling overload), Vocal Shifts (sudden changes in tone or volume), and Environmental Cues (clutter or detachment signaling mental escape). Discover powerful strategies, such as proximity interrupts, that reset student focus. This isn't just about classroom management; it's about proactive care and fostering a harmonious, trusting learning environment.
Ready to refine your observational skills and enhance student engagement? Subscribe, share this vital episode with a colleague, and visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources on effective teaching techniques.
Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

The Grading Marathon is Over How Microfeedback Saves Your Weekend and Boosts Student Learning

Are you drowning in papers, feeling like your grading effort doesn't translate into actual student learning? It's time to stop the exhausting traditional grading marathon! This episode introduces microfeedback, a powerful, highly focused strategy that dramatically cuts down your time while maximizing student retention and immediate growth.
The key is trading feedback volume for velocity: the brain processes small, targeted chunks better than overwhelming critiques. Learn three actionable strategies: 1) Commit to immediacy—one piece of actionable feedback on a single target skill within 24 hours (e.g., just the thesis statement); 2) Embrace the single-point rubric to hyper-focus students on one skill at a time, driving high-leverage growth; and 3) Leverage digital voice notes on platforms like Google Docs to deliver personalized, nuanced, and encouraging feedback in minutes, not hours.
Transform your grading from a tedious task into a powerful learning tool. Save your weekends and refine your instructional aim! Subscribe, share this time-saving episode with a colleague, and visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more professional development resources.
Find out more about what we do:AWB Education - awbeducation.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Unlock the Secret to Classroom Success The Neuroscience of Teacher Well-Being

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.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

The Tyranny of the Score How to Truly Measure Holistic Student Growth

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.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

The Busyness Trap: Coaching Students and Yourself to Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

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.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Crisis in the Making Addressing the Shortage of School Superintendents

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:
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.
Immense Personal and Professional Sacrifices: The weight of budget decisions, disciplinary actions, and staff well-being is overwhelming, leading to retention challenges.
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.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

How Teachers Really Feel About AI Fear, Efficiency, and the Need for Critical PD

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.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Zero Inbox for Leaders Managing Your Gmail and Reclaiming Your Focus

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.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org

Top Challenges in School Leadership Student Engagement & True Collaboration

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.orgGrundmeyer Leader Services - grundmeyerleadersearch.comGot a mailbag question?  Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org