Mastering Social Media for Schools

1. Do you feel alone or on an island when it comes to managing social media for your school? So did today’s guest. Hear how Lanita has transformed her storytelling efforts for her small Christian school of 600 students in Fort Worth, Texas.
2. Discover the simple change she made that improved her efficiency and reduced stress in celebrating classroom moments—and how you can do it, too.
3. Hear about Lanita’s experience with the #SocialSchool4EDU membership program, which provided her with:
   • Templates
   • Training materials
   • Shared solutions
   • Emotional support
4. Find out how Lanita overcame hesitation in her role, creating wins for her students and staff. You’ll gain practical tips and inspiring stories to help any school social media manager succeed.

SPECIAL GUEST

Lanita Nickerson

Communications Coordinator

Lake Country Christian School, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @LanitaN

Website: https://www.lccs.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lccseagles 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lccseagles 

Twitter: https://x.com/lccseagles 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/lccseagles 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• LCCS Choir Singing National Anthem in 2020 - over 36,000 views
• 6-Time national cheer champion coach visiting son cheering at college
• Physics egg drop video - over 52,000 views
• Scribe example - how to attach affiliated groups to your school page
• Helpful blog: Empowering Student Voices: Launching a Social Media Internship at Your School
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. You are going to learn SO MUCH by listening to this episode! Ren is a storyteller at heart and she’ll break down their district’s approach to social media with over 25,000 students and 3,800 employees.
2. Twitter is dead; long live LinkedIn! Find out some impressive stats on how Springfield is growing their reach on LinkedIn.
3. Short-form videos can ignite your social media reach! Discover Ren’s secrets to sharing 2-3 short Reels each week on Facebook & Instagram. She even shares them as YouTube Shorts as well!
4. Discover some of the best stories that Ren has uncovered - all because she focuses on visiting 7-10 campuses each week! You heard that right - she prioritizes this time at the schools because that is where the stories are.

SPECIAL GUEST

Ren Luebbering

Coordinator of Marketing & Digital Strategies

Springfield Public Schools, Missouri

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter/X: @renluebbering

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ren-bishop-luebbering-55141033/ 

Website: https://www.sps.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/springfieldpublicschools/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsps/ 

Twitter/X: https://x.com/officialSPS 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/springfield-public-schools/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/officialsps 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Collin’s viral graduation Reel
• One of Ren’s favorite stories: Mr. Vernon, he’s like my third grandpa! She also told it through a Reel as well.
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Understanding the New Regulations: Learn about the latest federal regulations on digital accessibility and how they impact schools, including a clear breakdown of what "WCAG 2.1 level AA" really means and why it matters.
2. The Four Key Principles of Accessibility: Discover the four core principles—perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust—and how these apply specifically to school communication and social media.
3. Practical Tips for Social Media Compliance: Get actionable tips to ensure your social media content meets accessibility standards, from alt text for images to handling emojis and using AI for support.
4. The Importance of Accessible Content: Hear why accessible content isn't just about compliance but also about making sure your message reaches everyone—and how this aligns with your communication goals.

SPECIAL GUEST

Emily F. Popek, APR

Vice President, Strategic Communications

Nichols Strategies, California

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-f-popek/ 

Twitter/X: @EmilyPopek

Website: https://nicholsstrategies.com/ 

Twitter/X: https://x.com/nicholsstrat   

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nichols-strategies/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAgfCvRLmrIIDXiFPw2Jl1A 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Overview of the new federal rule on accessibility. This page spells out the standards, the timeline, and the exceptions.
• Go-to resource for understanding the WCAG standards - w3.org
• Follow this page for tips on creating accessible content - https://www.facebook.com/a11yawareness and join this private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/110948031049165 
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Strategic Investment in Communications: In 2021, the School District of Holmen created a new Communications Specialist position. Travis Judell, with his background in media, has revolutionized the district's communication and engagement efforts, serving approximately 3,000 students. 
2. Mastering Multi-Platform Content Strategy: Discover Travis's approach to content development for Facebook and Instagram. He shares his professional toolkit, emphasizing the critical importance of timely content delivery—sometimes posting event coverage within minutes! Learn his secrets for maintaining high-quality, engaging content across platforms.
3. Relationship-Driven Storytelling: Explore how building strong relationships within the school community leads to discovering compelling stories. Travis reveals how his high-quality content created a positive feedback loop: as students saw their peers featured in professional-grade photos and videos, they actively sought to be part of the storytelling, further enriching the content.
4. Creating Ripple Effects Through Compelling Content: From viral annual back-to-school videos to heartwarming classroom field trip coverage, Travis shares his favorite stories that have resonated beyond the school community. 

SPECIAL GUEST

Travis Judell

Communications Specialist

School District of Holmen, Wisconsin

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Travis Judell

Website: https://www.holmen.k12.wi.us 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holmenschools 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holmenschooldistrict 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Great stories:
  • Father vs Son Wrestling Duel 
  • Holmen Devils Lake April 2024
  • Holmen Devils Lake April 2023
  • Devils Lake 2022 Video
  • Bus Driver Story
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

• Jennifer Salyards may have been the Director of Communications at Stephenville ISD, Texas, for just 14 months, but her impact is already making waves. A former Principal, Jennifer is embracing this newly created position and telling the district’s stories like never before.
• In this episode, Jennifer shares the key to her success: relationships. Whether connecting with colleagues across the district or networking with peers in other schools, she’s building a strong support system that’s helping her thrive in a department of one.
• If you’re tired of wishing social media could be easier, this conversation is for you! Jennifer reveals how joining the #SocialSchool4EDU membership has transformed her approach to storytelling and elevated her district’s social media presence. 
• Listen in for actionable ideas on telling great stories, and stick around for Jennifer’s game-changing social media tip at the end—it might just revolutionize how you share your school’s stories!

SPECIAL GUEST

Jennifer Salyards, M.Ed.

Director of Communications

Stephenville Independent School District, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.sville.us 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenvilleisd/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenvilleisd/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Jennifer’s examples:
  • Link to #TBT post
  • Link to First Day of School post
  • Link to SRO Vehicle Student Design Contest
  • Link to SRO Vehicle winning the Texas School Safety Center "Best Police Unit" Contest
  • Link to Girl Scout Bus Stop Service Project
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

• Are you curious about Facebook's Performance Bonus program and how it could benefit your school district? In this episode, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up Facebook performance bonuses for school district social media pages. You'll discover key steps like creating a separate district bank account for receiving funds and assigning the right financial administrators to manage them.
• San Benito CISD has already experienced impressive results, generating significant revenue across its district and school pages since March 2023. Find out how much they’ve earned and the strategies that drove their success!
• Are you worried about getting your finance department on board? Luis and Maria share practical tips on how they gained buy-in and made the program work for their district.
• Plus, you'll learn innovative ways to reinvest these earnings into social media tools and resources that enhance content creation, boost engagement, and drive even greater results!

SPECIAL GUESTS

Luis Gonzales, Jr.

Director of Public Relations and Social Media

San Benito CISD, Texas

Email: [email protected]

Maria Guajardo

Communications Specialist

San Benito CISD, Texas

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.sbcisd.net/ 

Facebook: https://facebook.com/sbcisd 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sanbenito.cisd 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Link to a video post that was shared more than 90 times - Cheers to 50 Years!
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

• Discover how St. Joseph Catholic School increased enrollment from 140 to 201 students in just four years through strategic marketing and social media efforts.
• Uncover three proven strategies to boost enrollment at your school, including the power of dedicated marketing personnel and multi-channel communications.
• Learn how to elevate your school's brand on a budget with practical tips on color psychology, style guides, and capturing compelling "marketing photos."
• Master the art of "controlling the parking lot" - a powerful technique to influence positive word-of-mouth marketing among parents and the community.
• Gain unique insights on balancing religious content in social media for faith-based schools, attracting diverse families while maintaining your school’s identity.

SPECIAL GUEST

Mrs. Emily Hagen

Director of Marketing and Advancement

St. Joseph Catholic School - Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Email: [email protected] 

Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emily.hagen.908/ 

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emihag87/ 

Website: https://www.sjsricelake.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJSricelake/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjsricelake/

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Emily’s examples
• Free Facebook Group referenced in the introduction
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Community Building through Social Media: Carrie Birchler emphasizes the importance of using social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, to build a sense of community and engage both current and prospective families in a school setting.
2. Content Gathering from Teachers: She shares her approach to gathering content for social media, including using QR codes and posters to make it easy for staff to submit stories and photos, ensuring regular and authentic content sharing.
3. Using Asana for Social Media Planning: Carrie discusses how she uses the project management tool Asana to plan and organize social media content for the entire school year, keeping track of recurring tasks and aligning posts with key school events.
4. Storytelling and Acknowledgement: She highlights the value of acknowledging the contributions of all school community members—students, staff, and parents—in storytelling to showcase a school’s success and foster a supportive environment.

SPECIAL GUEST

Carrie Birchler

Community Engagement, Recruitment and Enrollment Coordinator

Allegiance STEAM Academy, California

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://asathrive.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allegiancesteamacademy 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allegiancesteamacademy/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Carrie’s examples:
  • 6TH GRADE MANNEQUIN CHALLENGE
  • FILIPINO DANCE IN PE CLASS
  • APEX PROTECTION PROJECT VISIT FROM WOLVES
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Why Video Matters: Rob Wiltsey breaks down the crucial role that video plays in your social media strategy.
2. Content Inspiration: Learn how to take what grabs your attention while scrolling and apply it to your school's content.
3. Engaging Video Hooks: Rob shares three effective video hooks that resonate with traditional social media users.
4. Creative Strategies: Discover a proven tactic from School Shine that has earned significant shares across districts.
5. Viral Success Story: Dive into how the Chino Valley Virtual Choir went viral in 2020 and the unique Reddit strategy that caught national media attention.

SPECIAL GUEST

Rob Wiltsey

Founder

School Shine, California

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.schoolshine.org 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-shine/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Video - Covina-Valley Kindergarten Registration
• Chino Valley Virtual Choir performance
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Discover how Karen Briones transitioned from parent volunteer to Communications Coordinator, shaping her role to amplify the district’s voice.
2. Learn Karen's strategies for capturing authentic student voices in school videos, from interview tips to using natural light for better visuals.
3. Explore the creative process behind impactful video storytelling, including how to maximize student engagement and showcase your district’s strategic plan.
4. Get insider tips on editing and repurposing video content to tell compelling stories across multiple platforms, even with limited resources.

SPECIAL GUEST

Karen Briones, APR

Communications Coordinator

Los Gatos Union School District, California

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.lgusd.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LosGatosUnionSchoolDistrict 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearelgusd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lgusdmedia1859 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Karen’s video examples and equipment list
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com