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Control+Shift+Lead - ForwardEd

Control+Shift+Lead - ForwardEd

Written by: Jim Wichman and Adam Busch
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About this listen

 Take Command. Drive the Shift. Lead the Way.Leadership in education is no longer about managing the status quo—it’s about navigating constant change with intention and agency. Control+Shift+Lead is the podcast for school leaders, administrators, and visionary educators who are ready to move from a "wait and see" mentality to a "plan to be" strategy.Hosted by Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, this show dives into the real-world complexities of K-12 leadership. From the exhaustion of the first week of school to the high-level shifts required to integrate AI in the classroom, Jim and Adam offer practical blueprints for resetting expectations, building school culture, and staying "mentally present" for students and staff. On this show, we explore:
  • Taking Control: How to stop reacting to the chaos and start defining your school’s future.
  • Driving the Shift: Shifting mindsets from traditional management to true mentorship and community building.
  • Leading with Presence: Strategies for boosting staff morale, reducing absenteeism, and recognizing the "whole child" in every student.
Whether you are a seasoned principal or an aspiring leader, Control+Shift+Lead provides the weekly boost you need to finish the year strong and lead your community forward.

Part of the ForwardEd Network: Advancing Voices, Shaping Education.AWB Education LLC - ForwardEd Network
Episodes
  • From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm

    From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm
    Jan 5 2026
    Welcome to the first show of 2026! We are kicking off the New Year with a "heavy hitter" in the world of education. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Townsley, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa and the acclaimed author of Making Grades Matter.If you have ever felt that traditional grading systems—driven by points, percentages, and "extra credit Kleenex boxes"—don’t accurately reflect what your students actually know, this conversation is for you. Dr. Townsley challenges us to move from a culture of "earning" to a culture of "learning."

    Key Highlights:
    • The Power of Redos and Retakes: Why honoring different learning paces is essential for student success and how to implement a plan that avoids the "end-of-semester dump."
    • The 21-Point Inspection: A brilliant analogy for shifting grading from vague percentages to detailed, standard-based feedback.
    • Communication Over Compliance: How to move away from using grades as "carrots and sticks" and start using them as a clear map for student growth.
    • Practical Leadership: Tips for principals on how to affirm teachers who are already innovating in their assessment practices.
    Stop chasing points and start focusing on evidence of learning. Tune in to learn how to diagnose the "holes in the bucket" and provide meaningful interventions that truly help students master their goals.

    Connect with Dr. Matt Townsley:
    • University Profile: University of Northern Iowa Faculty
    • Book: Making Grades Matter


    Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.

    Want to keep the conversation going?
    • Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
    • Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
    • Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.
    • Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork.
    Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network.


    This episode includes AI-generated content.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • From Survival to Celebration: Energizing Your Staff in December ❄️

    From Survival to Celebration: Energizing Your Staff in December ❄️
    Dec 1 2025
    Are you just counting down the days until winter break, or are you actively building energy to carry your staff through it?In this episode of Control Shift Lead, we are joined by Jim Dutrow, Principal of Lake Ridge Middle School in Prince William County. Together, we explore how to shift the December mindset from "survival mode" to "thriving mode." We discuss the power of being mentally present at student performances, how to turn simple visibility into deep community connections, and creative ways to combat chronic absenteeism among both students and staff.Key Takeaways:
    • Control: How to be truly present and visible during the busy holiday arts season.
    • Shift: Fun, actionable strategies to boost staff morale, including "Wheel of Names" giveaways and the "Snowflake in Your Pocket" game.
    • Lead: Building tangible support systems, such as school-based food pantries, to help families navigate holiday stressors.
    Don't miss these practical tips to keep the "Pack Mentality" strong in your building!

    Subscribe and share this episode to help other leaders shift their thinking!

    Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.

    Want to keep the conversation going?
    • Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
    • Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
    • Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.
    • Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork.
    Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network.


    This episode includes AI-generated content.
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • 🤯 Stop Reacting, Start Defining Your Future with AI! 🤖

    🤯 Stop Reacting, Start Defining Your Future with AI! 🤖
    Nov 1 2025
    The pace of AI and EdTech evolution can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be a source of fear—it's a core leadership opportunity. Join the Control, Shift, Lead team as they welcome recognized educational technology leader and sought-after speaker, Amy Wichman. Amy, an administrator actively helping districts manage rapidly evolving technology, helps us re-frame the challenge: Control the narrative, Shift your mindset from instructional manager to digital leader, and Lead with an ethical and purposeful AI vision. Learn the practical steps leaders must take now to prepare students for a world where an AI assistant will be the norm. Don't let uncertainty lead to inaction; discover how to foster student contribution over mere consumption.

    👉 Key Takeaways:
    • How to proactively control the narrative around AI in your school community.
    • The critical shift from an IT-only issue to a fundamental leadership responsibility.
    • The importance of digital leadership and why you must engage parents and the community (especially since a recent study showed 83% of parents feel in the dark).
    Don't wait! Listen now to gain the actionable strategies you need to lead your school into the future. Subscribe, share this episode, and visit our sponsors for more resources.

    Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.

    Want to keep the conversation going?
    • Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
    • Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
    • Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.
    • Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork.
    Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network.
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
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