Mastering Social Media for Schools

Educators have the power to change the narrative about what others think about the work we do. Social media is a powerful tool. IN THIS EPISODE, TOM BREAKS DOWN How the use of social media led to his current role as Director of Innovation with Future Ready Schools. The reason why his school district in Pennsylvania adopted virtual learning options for students back in 2011. Ways to lead by example...

It all started with a corporate layoff and a superintendent just trying to help a single mom get her new business off the ground. Learn the story of #SocialSchool4EDU in today’s podcast interview! #SocialSchool4EDU CIO Heidi Feller gets to ask ALL the questions of our host, Andrea Gribble. IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREA WILL SHARE: How she got started in social media for schools Why she almost gave up on...

You have the power to inform, engage, inspire, and unite your school community with the stories you share. This podcast will help get you there! IN THIS EPISODE, MIA TEACHES US The relationship between your website and your social media platforms How social media should be your school’s highlight reel with her 70-20-10 rule The power of starting small with your social media strategy Ways to create...

Meet Super Woman: Elizabeth Beadle took on additional work during a pandemic, while working from home with an infant and 4-year-old! IN THIS EPISODE, ELIZABETH SHARES: Her methods of getting content in a virtual environment. How she organizes social media management into her day. The best posting times for her district, with a bonus tip about video posting times. Her relationship with Superintende...

Building community and connectedness is critical for all schools. Social media is a powerful tool to help! IN THIS EPISODE, JIMMY INSPIRES US WITH Perspective on how the current pandemic is impacting our educational leaders. Intentional strategies for social media to help us in the work we do for kids. An illustration of the “why” behind social media instead of just telling people they should use...

Engaging your community in the midst of a pandemic isn’t easy... but today, you’re going to learn some secrets! IN THIS EPISODE, JANA TALKS ABOUT: Her background in theater and how her journey led to purpose-driven work with schools. Setting up a strategy for social media at her school, which started just two years ago! How video was incorporated into the reopening plans for the 2020-2021 school y...

Are you struggling to balance your personal well-being and your school role? If the answer is “yes,” then you are joining the majority of the country’s educators right now. It also means that this podcast episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, KRISTIN BREAKS DOWN: Her experience with trauma and the dramatic impact it had on her career. Why empathetic leaders are challenged with all that they are dea...

This school year will look different, but there is still SO much to celebrate on social media!  IN THIS EPISODE, HEIDI INSPIRES US WITH: Her background in education and how it helps in her role as Chief Inspirational Officer for #SocialSchool4EDU. Photo and video ideas to be shared in 2020, where learning will look different. Ways to deal with negative comments on your school pages. Strategies for...

How can you possibly share all of the great stories happening in your district with a small communications department? You enlist the help of students! IN THIS EPISODE, RYAN SHARES: How an internship program with one student, five years ago, has grown into a full team of 25. Ways to use offline strategies to grow social media. Simple tools to create great videos. Summer post ideas including pets,...

Social media is a powerful communication tool for your district, but there are some unique strategies required when it comes to using it for a referendum or bond campaign. IN THIS EPISODE, BARB EXPLAINS: How social media can be both useful and challenging for school communications. Why you should use social media to build trust with your community before you ever have to ask for financial support....

What is the goal of social media for your school? Brendan has it mastered at Sewickley Academy. In this episode, he shares it with you! IN THIS EPISODE, BRENDAN BREAKS DOWN Why social media alone is not enough How they involve students in the recruitment of new families What UGC stands for - and how it helps create great content His 75-25-1 rule when it comes to social media Simple school spirit s...

The start of a new school year is the PERFECT time to get your school staff involved in social media. You can’t do it alone! In this episode, Andrea breaks down how to get your staff on-board.  IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREA TEACHES A framework to spend 15 minutes (or less) with staff to get them excited and involved in social media. The importance of providing just one method for submitting content. A s...

Inclusion isn’t political. Schools need to create an environment where every student feels included or learning can’t happen.   IN THIS EPISODE, BRIAN EXPLORES: The opportunities Brian and his communications team had in working with a diverse district How listening can lead to learning Why students need to feel safe, welcome, and included before they can learn The need for social media to be authe...

When a tornado hit Tuscaloosa in 2011 and knocked out the school website and most modes of communication, it was the perfect time to convince the administration that the school needed to get on Facebook! IN THIS EPISODE, LESLEY SHARES: How Tuscaloosa City Schools got started on social media Why the district hasn’t changed its Facebook profile pictures since 2012 Unique methods for engaging the com...

With all the uncertainty about school plans for the fall, you have a lot of work in front of you this summer. But what if you could dial in a solid plan for at least one aspect of your job – social media? IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREA TEACHES A writing exercise to reflect on your social media strategy from last school year What social media metrics you should evaluate on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter...

Meet one of the most inspirational Black superintendents in the nation who is proudly speaking out, calling for action, and pursuing change! IN THIS EPISODE, MARLON EXPLORES The story behind #MiddieRising and what it truly means Advocating for change on the topics of equity and racism, as a nation and in our schools Identifying and using key communicators in your district The importance of #School...

Storytelling takes many forms. Podcasts might be the next medium for your school to consider!  IN THIS EPISODE, JUSTIN DIVES INTO The secret behind adding over 2,500 Instagram followers to the school’s account in one year The process of including student interns in communications efforts Why your district should consider starting a podcast What type of podcast format might work the best for your s...

Every student in Highline Public Schools is known by name, strength, and need, and graduates prepared for the future they choose.  IN THIS EPISODE, SUSAN DISCUSSES How to get started with your own professional social media account Her suggested best platform Ways to encourage social media use by staff Using social media as an advocacy tool Being authentic - she has an even catchier phrase, but I’m...

Educators have the power to inspire one another by sharing their work, which ultimately impacts kids! IN THIS EPISODE, GEORGE INSPIRES US WITH His unique approach to learning from students The importance of educators sharing what they are doing in the classroom Methods to build your own PLN (Personal Learning Network) A tip on how social media handles are for communication, but hashtags build comm...

Get excited about telling your school’s story!  IN THIS EPISODE, JOE SHARES The importance of building social capital and how it helps your district Why you - as an educational leader - need social media How social media can attract both students and staff to your school What you can do to help change the narrative on education SPECIAL GUEST Dr. Joe Sanfelippo Superintendent Fall Creek School Dist...

Virtual events are happening in schools across the country. Get the inside scoop on how to create a meaningful event in this timely podcast episode!  IN THIS EPISODE, JAKE SHARES How to involve students in the process of planning for your event Organizational tips to streamline the collection of many pieces of content Strategies to make the event more interactive with viewers Important technical p...

The journey to 185,000 followers on Twitter starts with the first tweet…  IN THIS EPISODE, CARLA SHARES The social media journey of Peel, a school district with over 157,000 students How they moved from one-way to two-way communication - and it all started with a snow day! The importance of being human with your social media Simple strategies to use Instagram Stories to connect with students SPECI...

Get ready for this masterclass on Instagram Stories!  IN THIS EPISODE, TOVE SHARES The commitment to the district level to social media Ninja tips on increasing reach of your IG Stories Advice on getting started with Instagram How she incorporates highlights on her IG page Tips on engaging students through IG Stories SPECIAL GUEST Tove Tupper Assistant Director of Communications Highline Public Sc...

Shane Haggerty, APR is a dear friend who has taught me so much about #SchoolPR . He truly is a trailblazer when it comes to social media! IN THIS INTERVIEW, SHANE SHARES His start in education back in 1998. The amazing guidance his Superintendent gave him back in 2009 about social media, even though the lawyers were warning his school against using it. How career tech centers are using social medi...

Tracy's areas of expertise include crisis communications and building community partnerships.  IN THIS EPISODE, TRACY SHARES How her district uses social media to highlight community partnerships Tricks on taking comments from posts and turning them into new content Her favorite video tool called Adobe Spark Post And lots of wisdom on handling crisis communication SPECIAL GUEST Tracy Jentz, A...