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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:19 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Happy Friday, everybody. We've made it to the
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 end of the week and you have certainly earned it.
00:00:21 --> 00:00:23 Welcome to the final Your Morning Boost of the week.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 Again, I am pleased to have our special guest with us, and she's been here with
00:00:27 --> 00:00:32 us this entire week, Erin King from Inspired Education and the Teacher's Pep Rally podcast.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 Erin, this has been really fun this week. Thanks again for joining us.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:39 I am so thrilled to be here. Thank you for this opportunity. Yeah, absolutely.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:45 And as we head into the weekend leaders, let's also remember that next Monday is Memorial Day.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 It's an important time for us to pause and remember those that have served.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:52 And I know it's hard to get away from the job of school leadership.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:56 And this weekend, this is a good time to shut off work and spend some time with
00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 family and friends because you have certainly earned it. And actually,
00:00:59 --> 00:01:03 today's topic is on the power of reflection and leading through the pause.
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 So Erin, give us some insight on this. Great. Good morning.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:10 Summer break is approaching. As we wrap up another school year,
00:01:10 --> 00:01:15 I want to invite you into a moment of pause, not just to celebrate what we've
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 accomplished, but to reflect on what we've learned.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:26 Leadership and education is a marathon with few breaks, and summer isn't just
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 a vacation. It's a reset button.
00:01:28 --> 00:01:32 Let's talk about how we can lead with purpose, even in the pause.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 The end of the school year is often a blur.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:40 Graduation, state testing, final grades, ceremonies, and last-minute logistics.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:44 In the rush to finish strong, we can forget to reflect.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:49 But reflection is where growth lives. One of the most powerful practices I've
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 seen in schools is making space for staff and students to reflect,
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 not just on the outcomes, but on the experience.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:59 Ask your team, what are you proud of this year? What challenged you?
00:01:59 --> 00:02:02 What do you want to carry forward into next year?
00:02:03 --> 00:02:08 These three questions, simple, open-ended, can reshape the way we close the year.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 They invite clarity, and clarity leads to purpose.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:17 Another powerful takeaway from our conversations has this idea that inspiration
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 is everywhere if we're listening.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:25 From teachers launching innovative group projects to university professors building
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 experiential learning into tech classes.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:32 We have all seen again and again that creativity thrives in brave spaces,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 even in high-pressure moments. So here's the challenge.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:43 How do you build a culture of curiosity, play, and purpose in your school, even for yourself?
00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 Try this over the summer.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 Schedule a personal purpose check-in, whether it's a quiet morning with a journal
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 or a walk through your school building.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:56 Take time to ask, what part of this work lights me up?
00:02:57 --> 00:03:03 What part needs realignment? Plan one change that honors your core values.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:08 Maybe it's moving staff meetings outside once a month. Maybe it's starting the
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 year with a celebration instead of a checklist.
00:03:11 --> 00:03:14 Maybe it's building more time for teacher-led PD.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:18 Whatever it is, anchor it in purpose, not in pressure.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:24 Reconnect with play. Yes, even as administrators, go to the movies,
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 read a book. That isn't educated related.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:33 Visit a classroom just to observe and enjoy. You can't lead with energy if you're running on empty.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:38 As you transition into summer, here are three ways to lead through the pause.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:40 Reflect intentionally.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:45 Make space to process and celebrate this year with your team and yourself.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:50 Realign purpose. Let clarity, not urgency, guide your next steps.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:56 Recharge fully. Model what it looks like to rest, reflect, and return inspired.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:01 School leadership doesn't stop when the doors close, but it can shift.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:08 This is your time to zoom out, remember your why, and prepare to lead with fresh perspective.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 Whether you're on a beach, in your backyard, or organizing your office,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 I hope you take time to breathe deeply.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:22 And remember, the pause is part of the progress.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:26 That is your Morning Boost for today. I hope it fills you with inspiration and hope.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:30 And a big thank you so much to Aaron King for making this an incredible week
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 on your Morning Boost. Erin.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:35 I really look forward to seeing even more of your work in the future. This has been awesome.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 Boosters, if you want to know more about Erin's work or get in touch with her,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 you can find her information in the show notes, and it's going to be in the
00:04:41 --> 00:04:45 show notes for every episode this week. We also will have her contact information
00:04:45 --> 00:04:48 on our webpage at awbeducation.org.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 So either way, you can get a hold of Erin and get in touch with her to find
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 out more about her work or partner with her in the future.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:57 Thanks again, Erin. This has really been a very fun week. Thanks for joining
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 of us. Happy Friday again, leaders.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 Enjoy the three-day weekend coming up because you have certainly earned it.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:06 Thank you for listening. And with the holiday, we will talk with you again on Tuesday.
00:05:06 --> 00:05:10 You have been listening to your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:17 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:22 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:26 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.