Control+Shift+Lead

How do you lead grading reform without causing a systemic meltdown?

In Part 2 of this four-part mini-series on The ForwardEd Network Commons, Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley shift from the "Why" into the practical "How." They tackle the "seductive detour" of gradebook mechanics and explain why the first deliverable of any successful reform isn't a new scale—it’s a Grading Purpose Statement.

Curriculum and assessment reform is a complex, multi-year journey that requires more than just a single academic year of effort. Drawing on the organizational change management principles of John Kotter and...

It’s March. The initial adrenaline of the school year has faded, and for many school leaders, the data graphs aren't moving despite Herculean efforts. In this episode of Your Morning Boost, Adam Busch sits down with University Professor and educational transformation expert Dr. Doug Stilwell to discuss why surface-level changes—like new schedules or software—often fail to produce lasting results.

Drawing on the philosophy of W. Edwards Deming, Dr. Stilwell explains that 96% of problems in a school are caused by the system, not the people. This conversation shifts the focus from "blame and judgment" to "curios...

Are you fighting your own biology to stay calm while your classroom feels like it’s slipping away? Welcome to the “Long Stretch” of March—where high-empathy philosophy meets the reality of a Tuesday morning.

In this episode of Your Morning Boost, Adam Busch explores how the rise of gentle and respectful parenting has shifted the social contract in K–12 schools. As authority moves from positional power to relational trust, educators are feeling the strain of balancing compassion with accountability.

Key takeaways include:

Is your feedback building professional capacity or simply creating anxiety? In this episode of Control Shift Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch sit down with school administrator Kanika Dorsey to dismantle the "gotcha" culture of school observations.Kanika shares her powerful framework for moving toward non-evaluative feedback, emphasizing that the most impactful leadership happens when you leave the laptop at the door and pick up a sticky note. We discuss the "Control" of the feedback loop, the "Shift" toward high-frequency, low-stakes walkthroughs, and how to "Lead" by empowering teachers to facilitate their own instructional rounds.Whether you are...

In the mid-winter stretch of the school year, it’s easy for leaders to feel the weight of "the woes"—that heavy, gray season where the list of tasks grows faster than the daylight.

In this episode, 32-year veteran educator Bob Long joins us to discuss a simple but transformative leadership standard: being exactly where your feet are.Designed for school administrators and lead learners, this conversation explores how to balance the "business" of education with the human needs of our students and staff. We dive into the reality of "precipitating factors"—the invisible burdens our community carrie...

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 "learni...

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:

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 pr...

In this episode of Control Shift Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch welcome Scott Jarvis, an expert in athletic administration and leadership. The conversation explores the importance of controlling one's time, shifting perspectives in leadership, and leading with love and vulnerability. Scott emphasizes that everyone has the potential to be a leader and that building relationships and trust is essential in education. The episode is filled with insights on how educators can make a positive impact in their communities and the lives of their students.



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Welcome back to Control Shift Lead! In this episode, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch dive into the back-to-school reality, sharing their personal experiences with the exhaustion and excitement of the first few days. They reflect on the differences between starting the school year on a Monday versus a Wednesday and share some great stories, including Jim's recent travels and speaking engagements in Louisiana and West Virginia.The core of this episode focuses on addressing our first mailbag question from a new teacher who feels their ideas are not being heard in department meetings. Jim and Adam offer practical advice...

Welcome back to Control Shift Lead! In this August episode, Jim Wichman and Adam Busch dive into "The Power of Simple," reminding ourselves how often we overlook its profound impact. Get ready for actionable insights you can implement immediately.First, under "Control," we explore "Optimizing Your First Staff Meeting Agendas."

Discover how streamlining your initial meetings can set a positive and productive tone for the entire school year. We'll share strategies to avoid overwhelming your staff and maximize engagement by focusing on clarity and essential information.

Next, we "Shift" our perspective "From 'My Team' to 'Our...

This sneak peek from Control-Shift-Lead, with hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, highlights how powerful leadership principles enhance loyalty and trust in any community, especially in education. Get a glimpse of insights on effective communication and development among leaders.  This offers a taste of the practical advice from the full episode, designed to help you lead your school or district. Learn about the three key elements that transform leadership: control, shift, and lead. Tune into the full discussion for more!    Find out more at www.awbeducation.org and https://www.jimwichman.com/. Find out more about what we do: AWB Edu...

This sneak peek from Control-Shift-Lead, with hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, highlights how powerful leadership principles enhance loyalty and trust in any community, especially in education. Get a glimpse of insights on effective communication and development among leaders.  This offers a taste of the practical advice from the full episode, designed to help you lead your school or district. Learn about the three key elements that transform leadership: control, shift, and lead. Tune into the full discussion for more!    Find out more at www.awbeducation.org and https://www.jimwichman.com/. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spr...

Join Jim Wichman from Inspired Edification and Adam Busch from AWB Education on Control Shift Lead as they explore empowered leadership, especially for educators during the summer. This episode covers crucial aspects of planning effective evaluation schedules, moving beyond checklist exercises to intentional, high-value processes. Jim and Adam share insights on shifting to an energy-giving leadership model, focusing on building team capacity through effective delegation and leveraging individual strengths. They also provide a blueprint for navigating challenging conversations with staff, always emphasizing the ultimate benefit to students. Learn to refine your administrative planning and leadership approach to lead your school...

Join Jim Wichman from Inspired Edification and Adam Busch from AWB Education on Control Shift Lead as they explore empowered leadership, especially for educators during the summer. This episode covers crucial aspects of planning effective evaluation schedules, moving beyond checklist exercises to intentional, high-value processes. Jim and Adam share insights on shifting to an energy-giving leadership model, focusing on building team capacity through effective delegation and leveraging individual strengths. They also provide a blueprint for navigating challenging conversations with staff, always emphasizing the ultimate benefit to students. Learn to refine your administrative planning and leadership approach to lead your school...

In this episode of Control Shift Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch explore the critical leadership demands of June, a pivotal month for school leaders. They discuss how to regain control through personal well-being and strong team connections, offering communication protocols and suggestions that encourage prioritizing human connection over digital overload. Discover how to transform August meetings into engaging experiences that ignite passion and commitment. This episode offers actionable insights for leading with purpose and maintaining balance as you prepare for the new academic year. Find more resources at www.awbeducation.org and https://linktr.ee/inspirededification.

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Welcome to the latest episode of Control Shift Lead, where hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch delve into the dynamic world of school leadership. In this episode, they unravel the complexities of leadership during June, a critical month for school leaders when immediate planning and reflection converge. Join Jim and Adam as they discuss the empowering steps leaders can take to regain control, such as embracing personal well-being and fostering team connections. They introduce a transformative approach to communication with the "1-2-3" strategy, highlighting a shift in perspective that encourages prioritizing human connections over constant digital communication. Moving beyond...

With the school year down to its final stretch, join Jim Wichman and Adam Busch on CTRL+SHIFT+LEAD as they navigate the crucial art of finishing strong with both grace and understanding. In this debut episode, Jim and Adam explore the two sides of the end-of-year coin: the urge to simply count down the days versus the power of making a lasting positive impact right up to the very last bell. Discover actionable strategies to maintain engagement for both educators and students during this final sprint, and listen to touching stories that illuminate the emotional landscape of this unique...