Mastering Social Media for Schools

1. From the moment I looked at Downingtown Area School District's social media pages, I knew I needed to feature the brilliant people behind their social media storytelling! Today, you’ll meet Jenn and Allison.
2. Learn how Jenn added a communications manager role to her district of 13,0000 students in 2022 so they could focus on the day-to-day stories happening in their 16 schools.
3. How do you grow your Instagram followers? Allison will share her insight—and you must check out their Instagram page!
4. There are a lot of different categories of content to share. Find out what the 8 A’s stand for and how Downingtown uses them to drive its social media strategy.

SPECIAL GUEST

Jennifer Shealy

Director of Communications

Downingtown Area School District, Pennsylvania

Email: [email protected] 

Allison Gangl

Communications Manager

Downingtown Area School District, Pennsylvania

Email: [email protected]  

Website: https://www.dasd.org 

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

Instagram: @downingtown_area_sd

USEFUL INFORMATION

• All newsletter subscribers will be invited to the “2024 Best of Social Media Awards” Webinar coming up on May 10th. Sign up here if you aren’t already on my newsletter list!
• Post examples:
  • Bullying awareness 
  • Black History Month - learning moment post! 
  •  Special Olympics Photos
  • Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month Video (turn on sound)
  • Student-created Happy Diwali video - (turn on sound)
  • Indian Heritage celebration - (turn on sound)
• 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. Take your social media to the next level with student interns! Today, you’ll learn from the intern coordinator and one of the media associates at this career technical school in Pennsylvania.
2. If you are diving into social media and using students to help, you may have fear holding you back. Learn how Jeanise tackled that.
3. Emma discusses her job responsibilities of creating and promoting content on social media pages and offers some advice for other students who are helping with content creation.
4. See how student storytelling has impacted MBIT - and how one video even went viral!

SPECIAL GUESTS

Jeanise Dimitri 

Community Engagement & Public Relations Coordinator 

Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT), Pennsylvania

Email: [email protected] 

Emma Danilowicz

Student Intern

Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT), Pennsylvania

Website: https://www.mbit.org 

Facebook: @MiddleBucksInstituteTech 

Twitter: @middlebucks

Instagram: @middle_bucks  

TikTok: @midbuckstech 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/middle-bucks-institute-of-technology/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb_DFtwI83phpYiqK2wW6kw

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Viral Back Pack contest
• Emma’s New Year’s Resolution post
• From the K12PRTip - 10 Ways to Start a Post
  • 📣 Let’s hear it for...
  • 🌟 Field trip alert! 🌟
  • Spread the word! 💛💙
  • Guess what our 6th graders have been up to???
  • Help us congratulate... 👏👏👏
  • 🎉Our students had a blast...
  • Check out...
  • Way to #BeABobcat...
  • What an awesome day for...
  • 👀Let’s take a peek in the classroom…
• 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. Lesley’s experience with schools dates back to 2001, and she goes in-depth today on the US Department of Justice’s 575-page report on the Uvalde school shooting.
2. Learn the key findings from the report and the steps you can take to help your school prepare.
3. Grab Lesley’s free 8-page toolkit as a conversation starter at your school.
4. Discover 3 critical social media tips to remember when navigating a crisis.

SPECIAL GUEST

Lesley Bruinton, APR

CEO & President at School Spirit PR

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter/X: @lesleybruinton

Website: www.SchoolSpiritPR.com 

Twitter/X: @SchoolSpiritPR

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-spirit-pr 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Lesley’s toolkit - download here!
• 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

1. Instagram reach is up 40% at Central Heights ISD in Texas. Why? They are using students as storytellers!
2. Meet Elesban, a high school junior who is a tech aid this year. Tracy McCown will explain this pass/fail class available for juniors and seniors.
3. Find out Elesban’s favorite project that she has worked on so far and the tools she used to make it.
4. Do you need more content from staff? Tracy’s simple trick has skyrocketed her stories from classroom teachers!

SPECIAL GUEST

Tracy McCown

Instructional Technology Specialist

Central Heights ISD, Texas

Elesban Sanchez

High School Student - Junior

Central Heights ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @TracyMcCown

Website: https://www.centralhts.org 

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

Instagram: @CentralHeightsISD  

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Apply now for our Social Media Awards for 2024 - click here. The deadline is 4/1/24.
• Elesban’s favorite video of their Christmas Decorating Contest- view it here.
• 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

1. School PR is a stressful and demanding profession. Many of us struggle with maintaining our physical and mental wellness - and today, we have a guest who is getting very vulnerable in sharing her journey!
2. Krystyna shares what triggered her habit changes in June of 2022 and walks us through exactly how she got started, why she had to pivot along the way (like when school started and it got more challenging to squeeze in her workouts), and what has kept it going after nearly two years.
3. The transformation that has happened has impacted her personal life and her professional career.
4. Today is mostly about taking care of yourself, but of course, we’ll wrap up with a social media tip!

SPECIAL GUEST

Krystyna Baumgartner, APR

Public Relations Specialist

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @kmbaumgartner 

Twitter: @Kmbaumgartner

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Apply now for our Social Media Awards for 2024 - click here. The deadline is 4/1/24.
• 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

1. One campus, three schools, and 1,800 students - today, you’ll learn how this Wisconsin school district has ignited its engagement with students, staff, and beyond using social media.
2. Want some new video ideas for your school leaders? You’ll hear the details behind two different campaigns that could quickly be started at your school.
3. Giving your local community businesses some love can help skyrocket your reach. Find out why and how they got the “Where is Buddy the Elf?” feature going.
4. Balancing content between three schools on one district platform isn’t easy. Sam will share her practical tips with you as we wrap up the interview.

SPECIAL GUEST

Samantha Pederson

Public Relations Specialist

School District of West Salem, Wisconsin

Email: [email protected] 

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

Facebook: @SchoolDistrictofWestSalem

Instagram: @schooldistrictofwestsalem

Twitter: @WestSalemSD

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Samantha’s examples
  • Read Across America - Would You Rather 
  • Teen Culture - Would You Rather
  • Finish the Lyric
  • Favorite Buddy the Elf 
  • Basketball Post 
• Apply now for our Social Media Awards for 2024 - click here. The deadline is 4/1/24.
• 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

1. You may think consistent social media storytelling is impossible in a one-person communications department. Alice was once in that thought camp, but today, she shares the simple strategies she has implemented that have transformed how their district shows up online and beyond.
2. Making decisions on where to share different types of content can be challenging. Find out some tips that are working well for Mahtomedi Public Schools.
3. If you’re struggling to get content, you’re not alone. Learn the 4 specific ways Alice has increased stories from her staff. She’ll even share an awesome Canva template below that you can admire and acquire!
4. What is the best quote from this highly valuable conversation? “Good stories don’t expire!” Alice says to avoid the pressure of needing to post everything in the moment. The story will still be worth sharing tomorrow, next week, or even next month!

SPECIAL GUEST

Alice Seuffert

Director of Communications

Mahtomedi Public Schools, MN

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/ 

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahtomedi832/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Click here for a ton of resources that Alice mentioned during her interview!
• 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

1. Want to get students involved in social media storytelling but not sure where to start? Today’s episode is here to help!
2. Many of us think kids will just know how to use social media because they use it personally, but that’s not the case! They may be used to sharing about their own lives, but they have never considered using it as a school or district. Jill shares two tips for training students.
3. Competition can spark creativity. Learn more about the Content Generation Workshop that happens each fall. It’s not limited to Class Intercom customers, and there is a virtual option!

SPECIAL GUEST

Dr. Jill Johnson

President

Class Intercom, Nebraska

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @drjilljohnson

Website: https://www.classintercom.com 

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

Twitter: @classintercom

Instagram: @classintercom

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/classintercom/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Learn more about the Content Generation Workshop here!
• 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

1. No communications department? No problem! Celebrating your students and staff on social media is possible without one. Meet Dr. Doug Enders, who has helped support their Facebook presence in a school of about 2,500 students.
2. If you do not use social media on a personal level, you’re just like Doug! Despite not being engaged on social media in everyday life, he knew that it was an important tool. He’ll share the steps to get started, get inspired, and grow your presence.
3. The Eastern Edge Podcast is a show created to highlight staff and students in the district. You’ll find out the equipment Doug needed to launch it and how it’s helping communicate and connect with staff and beyond.
4. Social media takes time, but it is worth it! Learn how the extra effort is helping the district.

SPECIAL GUEST

Dr. Doug Enders

Assistant Superintendent

Eastern York School District, PA

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.easternyork.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Eastern-York-School-District-100064025018399/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• The Eastern Edge Podcast
• 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

1. Most public schools don’t have a comprehensive marketing plan. Today, Miranda will share what this is and why you need it now, more than ever, in the current conditions of declining enrollment, poor community perception, and challenges in recruiting high-quality teachers.
2. Marketing is not just selling services - that’s sales. Marketing is about influencing and inspiring behavior! Learn what that means when it comes to schools.
3. Strong storytelling is a requirement if you want to connect with your audience. You’ll discover how to look at your communication efforts to see if you are storytelling or simply sharing testimonials or facts.
4. Do you have leaders who want to turn comments off on social media? Listen in as Miranda and Andrea share their perspective and advice for schools!

SPECIAL GUEST

Miranda Greenwold

Chief Growth Officer for Marketing Matters by Miranda and University Lecturer in Marketing

Marketing Matters by Miranda

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miranda-greenwold/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• 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