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...

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...

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 t...

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 i...

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 Stu...

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, generi...

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...

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 b...

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...

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 ...

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 ac...

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...

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 e...

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, l...

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 st...

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 start...

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 ...

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 respe...

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 acti...