Control+Shift+Lead: The Education Leadership Podcast

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Control+Shift+Lead is a podcast about leadership in education—for every educator, not just those with a title. Whether you’re leading a classroom, a school, or an entire district, leadership today means navigating constant change with clarity, intention, and agency. This show explores what it really takes to lead in modern education—from instructional leadership and school culture to decision-making, innovation, and personal growth. Each episode features practical insights, real stories, and honest conversations with educators who are leading from where they are. Because in today’s schools, leadership isn’t a position—it’s a mindset. If you’re a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or aspiring leader looking to grow your impact, Control+Shift+Lead is your space. Hosted by Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, this show dives into the real-world complexities of K-12 education. From the exhaustion of the first week of school to the high-level shifts required to integrate AI into your practice, Jim and Adam offer practical blueprints for resetting expectations, building culture, and staying "mentally present" for your students and colleagues. What We Explore: Taking Control: How to stop reacting to the chaos and start defining the future of your learning environment. Driving the Shift: Shifting mindsets from traditional management to true mentorship, community building, and personal agency. Leading with Presence: Strategies for boosting morale, supporting your peers, and recognizing the "whole child" in every student. Whether you are a seasoned principal, an aspiring administrator, or a teacher leading from the front lines, 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.

  1. 3D AGO

    Building a Community of Belonging in Schools: Insights from Dr. Chad Lang

    𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹'𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆? ⚾️ Dr. Chad Lang joins us to explain why "tightening the strike zone" on assessment is the only way to prepare students for a globalized world where competency is king. In this episode of Control+Shift+Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch talk with Dr. Chad Lang about the intersection of leadership, assessment, and the "real world." Dr. Lang shares a powerful analogy comparing Major League Baseball umpires to classroom teachers, showing how evolution—not just change—leads to better outcomes for kids.If you’ve ever struggled to lead your staff through grading reform or wondered how to align your school's systems with the modern economy, this conversation provides the roadmap. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 • How to use the "Umpire Analogy" to simplify assessment reform. • Why the "real world" argument actually supports standards-based practices. • How professional development acts as the catalyst for tightening the "strike zone". • The importance of "aiming small" to communicate student evidence clearly. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦 • Struggling to answer parents/staff who say grading reform is "too soft." • Trying to modernize assessment without overwhelming your teachers. • Bridge the gap between "school work" and "global competency." Connect with our Guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-lang-ed-d-3864173a/ https://recalibrateedservices.com/ 𝙰̲𝙱̲𝙾̲𝚄̲𝚃̲ ̲𝚃̲𝙷̲𝙴̲ ̲𝙿̲𝙾̲𝙳̲𝙲̲𝙰̲𝚂̲𝚃̲ Control+Shift+Lead is the premier podcast for school leaders and innovators. Hosted by Adam Busch (AWB Education/ForwardEd) and Jim Wichman (Inspired Edification), we explore the shifts in thinking required to lead today’s schools.

    1h 3m
  2. Leading with Teachers Shifting the Culture of School Observations

    MAR 1

    Leading with Teachers Shifting the Culture of School Observations

    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 a seasoned principal or an aspiring leader, this conversation offers a blueprint for building a culture of trust, focusing on "one or two things" for sustainable growth, and keeping student achievement at the heart of every classroom visit. Kanika also shares her deeply personal journey of resilience—from a single parent in the Bronx to a powerhouse instructional leader—reminding us why leading with heart is non-negotiable in K-12 education. This is a ForwardEd Network production. Connect With Our Guest & Hosts Kanika Dorsey: Instagram: @kanikadorsey Reach out to the Hosts: Adam Busch: adam@awbeducation.orgJim Wichman: inspirededification@gmail.com 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.

    36 min
  3. Be Where Your Feet Are: The Power of Presence

    FEB 1

    Be Where Your Feet Are: The Power of Presence

    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 carries—and why the most effective leadership move you can make today is simply catching someone doing something right. You'll walk away with a renewed perspective on presence and a reminder that you don't have to be a hero; you just have to be present. Subscribe for your weekly dose of leadership perspective and share this with a colleague who needs a mid-winter boost. 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.

    50 min
  4. From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm

    JAN 5

    From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm

    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 FacultyBook: 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.

    48 min
  5. From Survival to Celebration: Energizing Your Staff in December ❄️

    12/01/2025

    From Survival to Celebration: Energizing Your Staff in December ❄️

    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.

    45 min
  6. 🤯 Stop Reacting, Start Defining Your Future with AI! 🤖

    11/01/2025

    🤯 Stop Reacting, Start Defining Your Future with AI! 🤖

    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.

    42 min
  7. Unlocking Leadership Potential: Time Management, Trust, and Leading with Love (with Scott Garvis)

    10/01/2025

    Unlocking Leadership Potential: Time Management, Trust, and Leading with Love (with Scott Garvis)

    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. 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.

    38 min
  8. Shift from Wait and See to Plan to Be

    09/01/2025

    Shift from Wait and See to Plan to Be

    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, emphasizing the importance of being proactive, building trust with colleagues, and the value of clear communication. They discuss the "clear as kind" philosophy from Brené Brown and the importance of understanding personality profiles like the DiSC to improve communication within teams. They also stress that a new teacher's fresh perspective is a valuable asset to any team. The episode shifts to a discussion on the "honeymoon phase" of the school year, challenging educators to move beyond initial planning. They introduce the concept of "plan to be in that moment" versus "wait and see," advocating for continuous measurement, monitoring, and adjustment of school initiatives.Be sure to tune in for this insightful discussion on professional growth, team dynamics, and strategic planning. . 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.

    48 min
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About

Control+Shift+Lead is a podcast about leadership in education—for every educator, not just those with a title. Whether you’re leading a classroom, a school, or an entire district, leadership today means navigating constant change with clarity, intention, and agency. This show explores what it really takes to lead in modern education—from instructional leadership and school culture to decision-making, innovation, and personal growth. Each episode features practical insights, real stories, and honest conversations with educators who are leading from where they are. Because in today’s schools, leadership isn’t a position—it’s a mindset. If you’re a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or aspiring leader looking to grow your impact, Control+Shift+Lead is your space. Hosted by Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, this show dives into the real-world complexities of K-12 education. From the exhaustion of the first week of school to the high-level shifts required to integrate AI into your practice, Jim and Adam offer practical blueprints for resetting expectations, building culture, and staying "mentally present" for your students and colleagues. What We Explore: Taking Control: How to stop reacting to the chaos and start defining the future of your learning environment. Driving the Shift: Shifting mindsets from traditional management to true mentorship, community building, and personal agency. Leading with Presence: Strategies for boosting morale, supporting your peers, and recognizing the "whole child" in every student. Whether you are a seasoned principal, an aspiring administrator, or a teacher leading from the front lines, 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.

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