Mastering Social Media for Schools

Michelle Shue shares how she and her team pulled off an award-winning kindergarten campaign without a marketing background.  From “What even is a campaign?” to NSPRA Gold Medallion winner, hear how ChatGPT helped Michelle figure it all out. You’ll get access to real, ready-to-use resources - from social media posts to a family-friendly readiness guide. The links are below! Whether it’s teaching ki...

Aliya, my oldest daughter, flips the script and interviews me in this special 300th episode. From how it all started to the biggest surprises along the way, we’re pulling back the curtain like never before. You’ll hear about those early years - no paycheck, selling my house, and wondering if I could really do this. Spoiler alert: with persistence, passion, and the right people around you, anything...

Adam Marcum shares the story behind a feel-good hallway video that captured hearts - and global attention - by simply asking students to “tell me something good.” Want to boost your production value on a budget? Adam reveals the exact setup he used to make this video happen. You’re not going to believe his microphone hack!  The power of student voice shines when there’s trust. Learn how Adam built...

Jatana Jackson, Senior Communications Coordinator at Brevard Public Schools, brings a fresh perspective to school PR, drawing on 12 years as a social media influencer to truly connect with her audience. Engagement isn’t just a buzzword! Jatana shares how likes, shares, and comments guide what gets posted - and why getting people to care is the secret sauce. Need campaign inspiration? You’ll love J...

Kelly Meredith shares how she transformed a loosely defined comms role into a vibrant, story-driven strategy that highlights the heart of her school. Hear how she built trust with even the most reserved faculty to consistently gather strong content. Discover how social media is impacting prospective families, strengthening school culture, and honoring traditions. Learn why starting small with stud...

Krystal Hurr shares how York County School Division is tapping into student drone expertise to tell school stories from a student’s perspective. Senior Samantha Beatley explains how her internship turned into a paid opportunity to lead a video project aimed at welcoming new students, especially those from military families. Learn how collaboration between school staff and interns empowers students...

Javier Ibarra shares how Denver Public Schools transitioned from reactive posts to strategic storytelling, resulting in viral reels and even a feature on Good Morning America. Learn what gear this Emmy-winning team uses to create professional content. It costs less than $1,000 and is powered by iPhones. There is a link below! Get ahead of 2026 federal regulations with smart tips on making your dis...

Lauren Snell opens up about a full-scale social media attack on Cherry Creek School District - and how she led her team through it with transparency and calm.  You'll walk away with a comprehensive crisis checklist, covering everything from assigning team roles to managing media and coordinating with law enforcement.  Learn how Lauren tapped into her community to build a network of “truth tel...

Zac Rantz breaks down why accessibility is top of mind for schools and how upcoming regulations are pushing needed change. He simplifies the five key areas—images, colors, links, PDFs, and videos—with easy-to-follow, practical tips. Discover how accessibility isn’t just compliance—it’s about making school communications better for everyone . Zac also shares how his district of 6,700 students manag...

What happens when a strategic communications expert from higher ed takes on K-12 social media? Chanda Gilmore drops fresh, practical advice your school can start using right away. Before you post, are you really listening? Discover why tuning in to your community first could be the biggest game-changer for your engagement strategy. Think there’s a magic formula for engagement? Think again. Chanda...

Shain Bergan shares the incredible story of how Kansas City Public Schools rewrote their narrative. From declining enrollment and 60-year-old buildings to renewed community pride and growing numbers, all through the power of consistent, strategic storytelling. Get the inside scoop on how a $474 million bond passed with 85% voter approval - the first successful bond in nearly six decades! Discover...

Andrea shares her firsthand experience navigating Facebook page suspensions and restrictions for schools - and why this issue is hitting closer to home than ever before. Find out which seemingly harmless words (like “raffle” or “donation”) may now trigger Facebook’s AI to flag or shut down your page. Learn how Andrea and her team have responded - from creating support tickets to starting temporary...

Michelle Karpinski from Portage Public Schools in Michigan shares how embracing a communications audit unlocked major growth for her district. Learn how improvements were made with both internal and external communication and how they tracked their progress. Discover how a data-driven audit led to a full rebrand, website overhaul, and better parent engagement. Michelle’s “be brave” mindset shows h...

Jason Lewis shares how a parent’s social media praise turned into a powerful story of school choice—and proof that our storytelling work truly makes a difference. Learn how Jason’s student-led Instagram takeovers not only boost engagement but also help build leadership skills and résumé-worthy experiences for students. Discover how Jason’s summer scavenger hunt turned quiet months into a community...

Today, you’ll meet Tyler Moberg, a former teacher turned trainer in the powerful world of AI! He shares six leading AI platforms and when to use each for maximum school communication impact. Still think AI is here to take your job? Hear the powerful mindset shift that could change everything. Spot the “AI giveaway” in emails and posts, and learn how to polish AI content into your own authentic voi...

Sara Schneider from CSCOE spills the secrets behind her "Marketing Minute" video series—and how it’s inspiring 151 Catholic schools to show up online with confidence. You’ll love the exact tools Sara uses to make school videos pop—think mic, light, and magic for under $100! Worried about being on camera? Sara shares real-talk advice on ditching perfection and just showing up. Get ready t...

Tricia didn’t plan to lead social media—she just raised her hand. Now she’s making a huge impact! Her story proves that passion and heart can take you far, even when you’re figuring things out as you go. No formal training? No problem. Hear how Tricia self-taught her way to success—with lots of sticky notes. If you’ve ever felt unqualified, her journey will remind you that curiosity and commitment...

My friend Brian Bridges is back—and this time, he’s sharing a solution that will seriously save your sanity when it comes to registrations. Camp Simple is the answer we’ve all been waiting for! Whether it's a cheer clinic, science camp, or t-shirt sale, this platform takes care of it all—forms, payments, waivers—so your staff can focus on the fun, not the forms. Say goodbye to messy Google Fo...

Hear how Jordan Ziemer and Kaitlin Paonessa made bold career pivots into school PR — and discover what finally made their work feel truly meaningful. Their paths are different, but their purpose is shared. Feeling overwhelmed or unsure in your role? You’re not alone. This honest convo dives into burnout, impostor syndrome, and how to find support (even if you’re a team of one). Packed with real ta...

Scott Gordon, a 25-year veteran in education, shares how diving into social media transformed his role—and reignited his passion for leadership. Learn how Scott, with zero prior social media experience, became a consistent and confident storyteller for his school. Discover the impact of splitting athletic and school pages—and how it spotlighted more than just sports. Hear how one small-town princi...

From educator and parent to PR pro - Sandy Sutty shares how her personal connection to the school fuels her storytelling. Showing up for students is Sandy’s not-so-secret weapon to building authentic, engaging social content. Want to grow your followers fast? Sandy breaks down her 14K+ follower jump with a simple, strategic content plan. Discover how she taps into student interns, QR codes, and th...

After hearing Andrea invite guests on a past episode, Meghan Weaver reached out - and now she’s on the show sharing incredible strategies from her school’s social media success! Meghan walks through her low-budget but high-impact method for capturing student voice using a standing mic and iPhone—plus how it boosts excitement across campus. Discover how framing social media content requests around...

Find out how one Nebraska high school made the leap to go completely cell phone free—and why students, staff, and even parents got on board. Curious how they pulled it off mid-year? Hear the intentional language, rollout strategy, and surprising twist that made it work. Mitchell Roush, M.A., shares all the details! You won’t believe the results—think better attendance, fewer incidents, and a signi...

Kimberly Garcia of the San Antonio ISD Foundation shares her strategic approach to managing social media on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Discover how the "Circle of Storytelling" (inspired by The Lion King ) enables Kimberly to reuse powerful content across multiple platforms. Learn how AI tools like ChatGPT are saving Kimberly hours—and why she thinks every school communicator sho...

Lisa Losasso Jackson and Veronica V. Sopher bring over 40 years of combined expertise in school marketing—and they answer all my burning questions about lead magnets! You’ll get a clear, simple breakdown of how to create effective lead magnets and landing pages—without feeling overwhelmed. Real-life examples and success stories from schools of all sizes show exactly how these strategies boost enro...