Your Morning Boost

The most powerful tool for improving school climate might be the simplest one: the intentional greeting. In this highly practical episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into the transformative power of using a student’s name, making eye contact, and offering genuine acknowledgment. Drawing on key insights from Erin King's work, we explain how this consistent act of connection significantly impacts emotional regulation and fosters a profound sense of belonging and safety for every learner. Key Actionable Takeaways: Emotional Regulation Boost: Learn how personal acknowledgment reduces student anxiety and increases enthusiasm for learning. Universal Buy-In: Why visible leadership and training all staff are critical to amplify the impact across the entire school. Resilient Culture: Discover how consistent connection acts as the "glue" that builds a resilient web of support and trust, transforming your school culture. Ready to build the foundational rapport that drives student success? Subscribe and listen now to start leveraging the magic that lives in the simplest acts of human connection! Reference Article: This discussion is informed by Erin King's work on connection in schools: https://www.awbeducation.org/general-resources/erin-king/thepowerofasimplegreeting 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Is Social Emotional Learning (SEL) just a "nice-to-have"? Absolutely not! In this data-driven episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into new evidence confirming SEL is a must-have academic strategy that yields significant, measurable gains. We discuss key takeaways from EdSurge, which show a strong positive correlation between effective SEL integration and improved test scores, better attendance, and reduced disciplinary incidents. SEL is not a sidebar—it's the accelerant for all learning. Key Actionable Takeaways: Staff First: Implement SEL check-ins and emotional regulation techniques right into your faculty meetings to model the competencies. Deep Integration: Treat SEL as an essential lens through which all content is taught (e.g., conflict resolution through historical debates). Data-Driven Accountability: Move SEL from abstract feeling to concrete evaluation using tools that track self-reporting, referrals, and collaborative problem-solving. Ready to move beyond belief and into measurable success? Subscribe and listen now to learn how to transform SEL into a data-driven, integrated practice that directly boosts your school's report card! Reference Article: This discussion is informed by new data connecting SEL and academic gains: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2025-10-30-social-emotional-learning-can-boost-student-achievement-new-data-says-by-how-much 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Stop believing success is solely about raw talent or inherited IQ. In this empowering episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into the science of achievement, focusing on two learnable traits that truly differentiate high performers: grit and curiosity. School leaders, this is your blueprint for transforming potential into performance! We explore how to cultivate these traits across your entire school culture, emphasizing the need to normalize productive struggle and reframe failure as essential feedback.   Key Takeaways You'll Get: Learn why modeling persistence is the most crucial leadership tool you possess. Strategies for fostering curiosity through powerful, open-ended, inquiry-based learning. How to design environments that encourage these traits, creating a powerful culture of lifelong learning and achievement. Ready to build a school culture where everyone knows they can grow? Subscribe and listen now to start your shift from a fixed mindset to an infinite possibility! Reference Article: This discussion references key insights on achievement from this article: https://www.upworthy.com/not-brains-or-talent-expert-says-high-achievers-have-two-traits-anyone-can-learn 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 adam@awbeducation.org

The rise in K-12 student homelessness is alarming, and school leaders cannot afford to wait. In this urgent episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into the necessity of implementing strategic measures to support our most vulnerable learners. Your school can be the primary source of stability and equity they desperately need. We explain the critical components of the McKinney-Vento Act and why every staff member must be trained to identify signs of housing instability with dignity and respect.   Key Takeaways You'll Get: Proactive Identification: The vital role of training all school staff to recognize and respond to housing instability.   Community Power: How to build essential partnerships to provide continuity of services and support beyond the school walls.   Academic Success: Why investing in a student's stability is a direct investment in their academic performance and future.   We cannot wait for stability to come to them—we must deliver it. Listen now to get the blueprint for effective, compassionate support and ensure no student's education is lost to housing instability. Reference Article: This discussion is informed by the growing crisis detailed here: https://www.the74million.org/1-3-million-homeless-students-new-federal-data-show-a-70-percent-jump-in-k-12-homelessness-over-past-decade-with-big-implications-for-academic-performance/ 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Stop viewing your employment contract as just legal jargon. In this essential episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive deep into how strategically understanding and leveraging your contractual benefits—from time-off provisions to professional development and liability protection—is the most powerful tool for boosting leader retention and avoiding burnout. We discuss key takeaways from the AASA Superintendent's Salary and Benefits Study, highlighting why a well-designed contract is a comprehensive framework for stability and growth, not just a salary number. Learn why prioritizing your well-being isn't a perk, it's a necessity for modeling long-term, effective leadership. Key Takeaways: Implement mandatory mental health days to ensure leaders recharge. Maximize PD funding as an essential investment in your team’s capacity (e.g., trauma-informed leadership certification). Understand your liability and severance clauses as your crucial security blanket for making bold, necessary decisions. Ready to lead with peace of mind? Subscribe and listen now to start leveraging your contract as a strategic tool for professional commitment and sustained success! Further Reading: We reference the AASA Superintendent's Salary and Benefits Study: https://www.aasa.org/resources/resource/contractual-benefits. 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 adam@awbeducation.org

In the lead-up to a much-deserved break, we pause our usual actionable advice for a moment of deep reflection. Discover why the simple act of gratitude is the single most powerful, yet often overlooked, tool for strengthening your team and restoring your own energy. This episode is a vital conversation about viewing appreciation not just as a kindness, but as a strategic daily practice. Learn the difference between fleeting, generic thanks and specific, memorable acknowledgment, and how these small acts can transform a job into a mission. We discuss tangible steps, like the power of a handwritten note, and why the most critical person to thank is often yourself. As educator leaders, resilience is key—and as Brene Brown reminds us, "Joy collected over time fuels resilience." Gratitude is how we collect that joy. Take this holiday to recharge and return knowing the tremendous value you bring is deeply appreciated. Listen, subscribe, and recharge! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

The reality of tighter budgets and impending cuts is top of mind for educators everywhere. 📉 This episode tackles the crucial puzzle: How do we maintain excellence and avoid increasing teacher workload when facing financial constraints? We explore three actionable strategies focused on operational efficiency that should be prioritized before touching the classroom. Learn why advocating for utility and energy audits (like switching to LED or smart thermostats) provides a continuous, high return on investment. We also discuss the value of centralizing and streamlining purchasing to eliminate "use it or lose it" spending, and the significant savings found in evaluating and eliminating software licensing redundancy. As financial constraints force us to be creative problem-solvers, this strategic thinking ensures every dollar saved goes right back to the core mission: supporting student success. Listen to become a more effective advocate for smart, less disruptive budget management! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Starting your week with a tough question from the mailbag: How do you handle parent meetings that feel consistently defensive or hostile? 🥊 We dive into actionable strategies to shift the dynamic from adversarial to collaborative, ensuring student success remains the shared goal. The key is leading with empathy and finding the source of the parent's frustration, which often isn't personal. Learn how to immediately disarm tension by explicitly stating a common objective and focusing conversations strictly on observable behavior, not interpretation or judgment. We discuss the powerful technique of using the "power of pause" from conflict resolution training to de-escalate heated moments. These difficult conversations are your greatest opportunity to model professionalism and achieve a collaborative breakthrough. Listen for personal strategies to master difficult conversations!  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 adam@awbeducation.org

It's the final episode of our American Education Week series! Join us as we wrap up our five-question conversation with Dr. Lisa Hill, host of Vice Principal Unofficed and leader at Valley Southwoods. Dr. Hill answers the crucial question for every aspiring leader: If you could gather one piece of evidence right now for your future principal interview portfolio, what should it be? Discover how to select an initiative—like PBIS, PLC work, or a grading project—that clearly demonstrates collaboration, data-driven decision-making, strong relationships, and a student focus. Dr. Hill offers concrete examples and explains how to powerfully tell the story of your impact, growth, and even failure. This episode emphasizes the value of mentorship, networking, and taking calculated risks on your leadership journey. Find Dr. Hill at $\texttt{viceprincipalonoffice.com}$ to leave a message or connect. ACTION STEP: Amplify your day and keep boosting your impact by subscribing! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Feeling consumed by discipline? It’s time to shift your focus! Join us as we welcome back Dr. Lisa Hill, host of the biweekly podcast Vice Principal Unofficed, to explore how assistant principals can move beyond crisis management to become true instructional leaders. Dr. Hill shares real-world stories and practical strategies for protecting vital coaching time, supporting teachers, and boosting student achievement. This episode is packed with value, including a simple scheduling hack (fill and share your calendar to protect PLCs and observations), effective delegation strategies for office staff and aspiring leaders, and the value of consistent systems like PBIS. Learn to partner with your teachers and principal to prioritize instruction and elevate student success! ACTION STEP: Amplify your day and keep boosting your impact by subscribing! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

During National Education Week's Support Professionals Day, discover the profound impact of recognizing the essential staff who keep our schools running—custodians, secretaries, aides, cooks, and more. Your Morning Boost welcomes Dr. Lisa Hill, host of Vice Principal Unofficed, to discuss practical, non-monetary strategies for administrators and assistant principals to meaningfully honor these vital team members. Dr. Hill shares actionable tips like learning names, greeting staff, working alongside them, and modeling everyday kindness. Listen to take away short, high-impact techniques to build loyalty, strengthen your school culture, and ensure every adult remains focused on students. ACTION STEP: Amplify your day and keep boosting your impact by subscribing! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Is talking to parents about discipline a challenge? During American Education Week's Family Day, Your Morning Boost welcomes back Dr. Lisa Hill, host of the Vice Principal Unofficed podcast, to share essential strategies for assistant principals. This episode focuses on pivoting difficult, disciplinary conversations with parents into productive, long-term partnerships built on mutual respect. Dr. Hill discusses the power of empathy, finding common ground, communicating the "why," and keeping interactions calm and solution-focused. You'll gain practical techniques for de-escalation, validating parents’ emotions, and utilizing a team approach. Discover the simple, powerful question, "How are you doing?" to rebuild trust and foster collaboration. ACTION STEP: Amplify your day and keep boosting your impact by subscribing! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Are you stepping into a new administrative role? Don't make the biggest mistake most assistant principals make: rushing to implement flashy solutions before understanding the school's heart. Join Your Morning Boost as we kick off American Education Week with special guest Dr. Lisa Hill, host of the Vice Principal Unofficed podcast. With 39 years in education, Dr. Hill shares invaluable insights on building trust and setting clear expectations with a new principal. She reveals why slowing down, gathering voices, and identifying high-impact areas are critical for success. This episode centers on the first of a five-day 'five questions' series focused on the vice principal role. Get practical leadership takeaways, real-school anecdotes, and guidance for APs aiming to grow into visionary leaders, plus a lighthearted teaser for upcoming episodes! ACTION STEP: Amplify your day and keep boosting your impact by subscribing! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

The Ultimate Guide to Bridge-Building: Why Relationships are the Work! We wrap up our impactful week with Shannon Watson, Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle (majoritymiddle.org). In this final segment, Shannon shares her deep experience leading successful bipartisan efforts, emphasizing why kindness and finding common ground are non-negotiable for navigating division in school leadership. Discover practical, low-effort tactics busy administrators can incorporate daily—like informal hallway check-ins—to make civil engagement a long-term priority, not just a crisis response. Learn why staying in relationship, practicing patience, and consistently modeling respectful behavior is the most powerful way to positively influence your school community. Action Item: Make relationship-building your top priority! Subscribe, share this powerful message, and visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources on sustaining leadership impact. 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Tired of polarization derailing instruction? Learn low-cost policy fixes! This essential episode of Your Morning Boost features Shannon Watson, Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle (majoritymiddle.org). Discover practical, low-cost structural and policy changes schools can implement to build robust transparency and civil participation, safeguarding your core instructional work. The conversation highlights key strategies like setting transparency as a cultural standard, focusing discussions on student-centered outcomes, and inviting dissenting voices to shape compromises. Shannon provides concrete examples and emphasizes shifting "in-group" tribal dynamics to keep the focus strictly on the issue at hand.   Action Item: Move past partisan gridlock! Subscribe and share these vital strategies with your board and leadership team. Visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources on school improvement. 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Stop the Chaos: Practical Strategies for Managing Polarized School Board Meetings! This crucial episode features returning guest Shannon Watson, Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle (majoritymiddle.org), offering actionable advice for school leaders facing contentious community forums. Learn how to master meeting management by setting clear expectations (time limits, ground rules, fairness) before conflict starts. Shannon covers structural approaches to reduce rhetorical heat, such as discouraging reactive audience behaviors (applause/booing) and alternating speakers to prevent escalation. Tune in to discover the key to being the "eye of the storm"—maintaining a neutral tone and consistent enforcement to ensure all voices are heard without rewarding destructive behavior. Action Item: Don't let your next meeting spiral! Subscribe, share this episode with your board members and administrators, and visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources on effective governance. 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Stop polarization before it fractures your team! In this essential episode, Your Morning Boost welcomes back Shannon Watson, Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle (majoritymiddle.org), to deliver crucial, actionable strategies for school leaders. Discover how to effectively de-escalate staff polarization when heated political discourse enters the building. Shannon shares powerful, listening-first techniques like asking "tell me more," identifying underlying values, and shifting your team's focus from defeating people to defeating problems. Learn how to prioritize mission alignment, foster civility, and use practical methods from organizations like Braver Angels to rebuild and preserve team collaboration. Action Item: Don't let division compromise your mission! Subscribe, share this episode with your leadership team, and visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources on transformative leadership. 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Tired of the political noise? Learn how to model real civility for your school community! This week, Your Morning Boost welcomes Shannon Watson, Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle, for a powerful discussion on empowering nonpartisan civic engagement and connecting it directly to school leadership. In honor of National Young Readers Week, Shannon shares vital strategies for public-facing leaders: modeling respectful understanding, avoiding sweeping generalizations, and why leaning into nuance is essential. You’ll learn the importance of literacy and empathy in bridging divides and how to ensure every decision centers on what is truly best for students. Dive in to discover how to humanize communication and foster cross-partisan relationships in your district. Action Item: Subscribe, share this episode with a colleague, and visit awbeducation.org and grundmeyerleadersearch.com for more resources on exceptional school leadership! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

Your students are fluent in viral internet slang (like the cryptic "six-seven"), but are they literate in digital safety? The "six-seven" phenomenon—a playful reference to a social media scamming tactic—is a stark reminder of how quickly and often digital misinformation and security threats infiltrate our schools. In this timely episode of Your Morning Boost, we conclude our dive into the Fitting Five newsletter with a call to action: digital literacy must be treated as a core competency and a fundamental safety issue. Key Takeaways: Learn three systemic steps leaders must take to protect students in this hostile digital ecosystem: Introduce a "Scam Whisperer" Curriculum: Integrate mandatory, short units across all subjects to teach critical thinking skills needed to identify phishing, deepfakes, and misinformation. Model Responsible Digital Citizenship: Teachers and leaders must actively discuss, verify sources, and model healthy digital boundaries to give students a visible roadmap. Engage parents with a Digital Wellness Compact: Host family workshops and secure a shared commitment to discussing online safety and modeling good habits at home. ➡️ CTA: It's time to prepare students for a complex digital life. Subscribe, listen, and share this episode with your digital safety and curriculum teams! 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 adam@awbeducation.org

As the first quarter ends, we're focused on student grades—but what grade would you give your leadership? Waiting until the end of the year to assess your effectiveness means missing a crucial chance to pivot. In this sharp episode of Your Morning Boost, we dive into Dan P. Butler’s piece from the Fitting Five newsletter: "It's Time for Midterm Grades, but Not the Kind You're Thinking of." This challenge is not about judgment; it's about shifting from vague feelings of busyness to objective, fast, and focused course correction. Key Takeaways: Learn three objective methods to measure what truly matters: your behavior, your time, and your connections: Implement the Stop-Start-Continue Feedback Loop: Use a brief, anonymous survey with trusted staff to gather crystal-clear, actionable data on your leadership behaviors. Conduct a Candid Time Audit: Track your time for two weeks to see if your daily actions align with your instructional priorities (e.g., are you spending 70% on email and only 10% on walkthroughs?). Check your Relational Capital: Identify the 10 most critical people for your school's success (custodian, union rep, veteran teacher) and proactively invest in any relationship that scores low. ➡️ CTA: Commit to this objective self-assessment now to ensure you finish the year strong. Subscribe, listen, and share this episode! 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 adam@awbeducation.org