PODCAST · education
The Commons: Real Talk for Educators
by ForwardEd Network
The Commons is where real conversations about education happen. This podcast brings together teachers, school leaders, and education voices from around the world to talk honestly about what’s happening inside schools today. From teacher burnout and classroom challenges to AI in education, grading, discipline, and leadership—nothing is off the table. Each episode feels like the conversation educators have after the bell rings—practical, unfiltered, and grounded in real experience. Whether it’s a roundtable discussion, a story from the field, or a debate on the future of schools, The Commons is built to amplify authentic voices and share insights that actually matter. If you’re a teacher, administrator, or anyone passionate about education, this is your space. Brought to you by the ForwardEd Network. Become a supporter of this podcast:
Episodes
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Families Don’t Experience Departments. They Experience Your School. - Your Morning Boost: A School Leadership Podcast
Families Don’t Experience Departments. They Experience Your School. Schools organize themselves into departments because it makes the work manageable. Families don’t experience us that way. When a parent reaches out with one problem, they aren’t thinking about student services, communications,...
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School Leadership Strategies for late May Classroom Walkthroughs - Your Morning Boost: The Weekly Reset for Educators
If you are looking for effective school leadership strategies for late May classroom walkthroughs, it is time to reassess what counts as data in your observations. During the final weeks of the school year, a high cognitive load naturally causes both staff and students to shift into an…
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The Final Episode: Strategies for Lasting Change in Grading
Modern Grading Reform — Sustaining the Work (Episode 4)Series Finale: 20 Years in the TrenchesIt is one thing to initiate grading reform; it is another to ensure it survives the "implementation dip" and becomes part of a school's cultural fabric. In this final installment of the Modern Grading...
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The Power of Clear Communication in Grading Reform
How do you bridge the gap between "how we've always done it" and "how students actually learn"?Welcome to Part 3 of our 4-part mini-series, Modern Grading Reform, airing on The ForwardEd Network Commons. In this installment, Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley engage in a comprehensive analysis…
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Elevating Student Learning Through Strategic Grading Reforms
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...
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Navigating the Complexities of Modern Grading Reform
How do we ensure a grade actually reflects what a student knows?In the premiere episode of this four-part mini-series on The ForwardEd Network Commons, Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley reflect on 20 years in the "grading trenches." They tackle the critical shift from an industrial-age "rank…
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Navigating Educational Leadership: A Conversation with Jim Wichman
Jim Wichman, a seasoned leader in educational administration, elucidates the transformative power of leadership coaching in this enlightening discussion. He emphasizes that effective leadership is not merely about managing tasks, but about nurturing relationships and celebrating the contributions...
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From 3% Odds to Global Impact Chris Norton on Radical Responsibility
"If you don't like where you are, do something about it."In this episode of Your Booster Shot, host Adam Busch sits down with former student-athlete turned motivational powerhouse, Chris Norton. After a life-altering football injury left him with a 3% chance of ever moving again, Chris didn't…
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Standing Out in the Hiring Season - A ForwardED Booster Shot with Chris Whetzel
The hiring season in education is a crowded field—how do you ensure your application rises to the top of the pile? In this "Booster Shot" episode of The ForwardED Network, we sit down with Chris Whetzel to deconstruct the competitive landscape of educational hiring.Whether you are a first-year...
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The Road to Awesome: Transforming School Leadership with Dr. Darren Pepperd
Prepare to expand your thinking and challenge your assumptions with this special "Booster Shot" episode, which offers a deeper dive into pressing issues in education!We welcome Dr. Darren Pepperd, the visionary behind "The Road to Awesome," for an insightful conversation. Discover the inspiring...
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Bonus Episode: Navigating the Nest: From K-Success
This bonus episode celebrates the launch of the new educational podcast - Navigating the Nest: From K to Success. This new podcast is the collaboration between a few fellow podcasters from Ctrl+Shift+Lead and From Carpool to College, and Vice Principal UnOfficed. Together, the podcast hosts will...
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Leadership Insights with Dr. Albert Bramante
In this special episode, we're joined by Dr. Albert Bramante for a deep dive into the core principles of effective leadership. Dr. Bramante shares his expertise on a variety of topics, including the power of networking, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections built on curiosity and a...
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The Boost Bundle: Beyond the Bare Minimum
Get ready to start the school year right with this week's collection of 'Your Morning Boost' episodes! We're talking about everything from the power of going above and beyond, to transforming boring preservice meetings into engaging sessions. Plus, we've got great tips on how to genuinely welcome...
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Boost Bundle - 8-2 thru 8-8
In this special recap episode, we dive into the Fitting Five, a collection of valuable articles designed for modern school leaders. We'll explore four key topics: the growing influence of AI on student connection and the need to prioritize authentic relationships; how to be a proactive,...
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AWBs Boost Bundle_ Essential Leadership Strategies for the Modern School Leader
This "Boost Bundle" provides a week's worth of crucial insights for school leaders. This comprehensive episode covers: supporting English Learners in math by addressing linguistic challenges; empathetically assisting students from challenging home environments while maintaining academic rigor;...
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AWB’s Boost Bundle: The Restorative School Leader’s Playbook
Welcome to Your Boost Bundle, an essential guide for every school leader dedicated to fostering a positive and accountable school environment! In this special combined episode, we bring together five powerful discussions on restorative practices, offering a comprehensive playbook to transform...
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AWB’s Boost Bundle - Cultivating Thriving School Communities
Welcome to the AWB Boost Bundle, a collection of this week's essential leadership insights from Your Morning Boost podcast by AWB Education and Grundmeyer Leader Services! In this comprehensive episode, we tackle critical topics for school communities.First, we delve into the teacher shortage...
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AWB’s Boost Bundle - Unlocking Leadership Through Personality & Cultural Fit
Welcome to AWB's Boost Bundle, a special episode designed to elevate your school leadership. Brought to you by AWB Education, this bundle condenses a week of deep dives into personality assessments and their impact on education.We kick things off by exploring how understanding diverse personality...
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AWB’S Boost Bundle - AI, First Impressions, Cell Phones, and Supporting New Educators!
This Boost Bundle brings you all of this week's Morning Boost shows in one convenient, unedited package! Catch up on essential insights for school leaders, covering everything from the power of first impressions and effective cell phone policies in schools to supporting entry-level workers and...
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From the Mind of Jess 1
Welcome to the very first episode of "From the Mind of Jess Hansen" on the AWB Ed Ventures Network! Join your host, Jess Hansen, as she delves into a critical topic for all school leaders: the paramount importance of ensuring students with significant health needs are safe, supported, and...
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AWB’s Boost Bundle - Interventions, PD, Relationships & Re-engagement
Welcome to the AWB's Boost Bundle! This special episode is an unedited compilation of all the Morning Boost shows from this week, offering you the convenience of catching up on all the valuable insights and strategies in one go.This week on the Morning Boost Bundle, we dove into essential topics...
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Your Booster Shot Navigating Learning Loss & Student Mental Health
Welcome back to Your Booster Shot, the podcast for educators on the AWB Ed Ventures network. Join Douglas Newell as he dives into two of the most pressing challenges facing educators today: learning loss and the mental health needs of students (and ourselves).In this insightful episode, Douglas...
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AWB’s Boost Bundle - Tackling Student Absenteeism
This week on AWB's Boost Bundle, we're diving deep into the critical issue of student absenteeism. We kick things off by understanding the 'why' behind student absences, exploring individual, family, school, and community factors. Then, we shift to identifying best practices, sharing proven...
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Your Booster Shot - Staff Meetings, Start the year off right
Welcome back to "Your Booster Shot," your go-to on the AWB Education EdVentures network for supercharging school leadership!This episode, Summer dives into transforming those crucial first staff meetings of the new school year. Discover how to shift from mere information delivery to powerful team...
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Your Booster Shot - Time Blocking
Feeling like your calendar runs you instead of the other way around? In this episode of "Your Booster Shot," we dive into the often-overlooked, yet critical skill of calendar management for school leaders. Discover actionable strategies like time blocking, the Eisenhower Matrix, and proactive...
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Your Booster Shot - Strategic Plans Unleashed: Turning Vision into Action
Your Booster Shot Beyond the daily dose. 'Booster Shot' episodes offer a deeper dive into the most pressing issues in education today. Prepare to expand your thinking and challenge your assumptions. Check us out at: www.awbeducation.orghttps://www.coaching2tnl.org/ Welcome to the first episode of...
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Your Booster Shot - Empowering Future School Leaders: Leadership and Innovation in Education
Join us in this enlightening episode of "Your Booster Shot" by AWB Education Network, as we delve into the intricacies of educational leadership with Todd Bloomer, a seasoned educational expert from San Antonio, Texas. Todd shares his 29-year journey in education, focusing on leadership...
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Your Booster Shot - Revitalizing Curriculum Development: Insights with Dr. Chad Lang
In this episode of your Booster Shot from AWB Education, host Adam Busch engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Chad Lang from Recalibrated Services, focusing on the transformative power of curriculum development within schools. Dr. Lang provides insights into effectively developing…
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Your Booster Shot - Defying the Odds: Chris Norton’s Journey from Paralysis to Inspiration
In this powerful episode of Your Booster Shot, host Adam Busch welcomes former student and athlete Chris Norton to share his remarkable story of defying the odds. Once a promising college football player, Chris's life changed drastically after a spinal cord injury left him with a mere 3% chance…
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Your Booster Shot - The Power of Inspired Leadership: A Conversation with Jim Wichman
Your Booster Shot Beyond the daily dose. 'Booster Shot' episodes offer a deeper dive into the most pressing issues in education today. Prepare to expand your thinking and challenge your assumptions. Check us out at: www.awbeducation.orghttps://inspirededification.com Join us in this engaging...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Commons is where real conversations about education happen. This podcast brings together teachers, school leaders, and education voices from around the world to talk honestly about what’s happening inside schools today. From teacher burnout and classroom challenges to AI in education, grading, discipline, and leadership—nothing is off the table. Each episode feels like the conversation educators have after the bell rings—practical, unfiltered, and grounded in real experience. Whether it’s a roundtable discussion, a story from the field, or a debate on the future of schools, The Commons is built to amplify authentic voices and share insights that actually matter. If you’re a teacher, administrator, or anyone passionate about education, this is your space. Brought to you by the ForwardEd Network.
Become a supporter of this podcast:
HOSTED BY
ForwardEd Network
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Commons: Real Talk for Educators have?
The Commons: Real Talk for Educators currently has 30 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Commons: Real Talk for Educators about?
The Commons is where real conversations about education happen. This podcast brings together teachers, school leaders, and education voices from around the world to talk honestly about what’s happening inside schools today. From teacher burnout and classroom challenges to AI in education, grading,...
How often does The Commons: Real Talk for Educators release new episodes?
The Commons: Real Talk for Educators has 30 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Commons: Real Talk for Educators?
You can listen to The Commons: Real Talk for Educators on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Commons: Real Talk for Educators?
The Commons: Real Talk for Educators is created and hosted by ForwardEd Network.
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