Mastering Social Media for Schools

Looking for ways to manage it all as a small but mighty team of one this school year? You’re in luck! Lana Snodgras is the Director of Communications for a school district of 2700 students in Missouri and she has a ton of helpful advice in this episode.

IN THIS EPISODE, LANA SHARES:

• Why her district stopped having teachers create their own website page
• How she gets staff excited at the beginning of the school year to celebrate their students
• What the student internship program looks like at her district and all of the details behind making it work
• The best advice for dealing with school building leaders who want to start their own social media pages

SPECIAL GUEST

Lana Snodgras

Director of Communications

West Plains School District, Missouri

Email: [email protected] 

Follow Lana on Twitter: @lanasnodgras

School Website: https://www.zizzers.org/wpr7 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wpzizzers 

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

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Checkout the #K12PRtip video playlist on YouTube - click here

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

Are you struggling to find meaningful stories to tell? You know that they are out there but people just won’t share them with you! Well, today’s guest is going to share her secret for discovering those stories. Veronica Johannsen is a trained journalist and her simple strategy helped land her school district on the Today Show!

IN THIS EPISODE, VERONICA SHARES:

• Her journey from TV reporter to school communicator
• Why she spends time each day on one of her eight school campuses
• How she digs in through video interviews to find the story
• The process of how one powerful story about Ms. Smith made its way all the way to the Today Show!

SPECIAL GUEST

Veronica Johannsen

Director of Communications and Special Projects

Brenham ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @v_gallegos

School Website: https://www.brenhamisd.net/ 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrenhamISD 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB81E-cohXPUB5I250DQx8w 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• App for Video Editing - Video Leap
• Original Wanda Smith Story: https://www.facebook.com/BrenhamISD/videos/373501197286725 
• Link to the two NBC live hits: https://www.brenhamisd.net/page/article/1414

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

Today’s guest wears a lot of hats, and she’s not afraid of a challenge. When faced with some negative publicity about their high school, Lindsey Hansen focused on celebrating the amazing things about her district using social media. After four years, it has made a big difference!

IN THIS EPISODE, LINDSEY EXPLAINS:

• How her role as Assistant Principal evolved into adding on the district communication efforts
• Why her high school needed improved communication efforts to turn around the story about their school
• The process behind updating their Native American mascot and their plans to unveil the new one
• Why the Social Media Bootcamp was the best professional development that she has attended in 20 years

SPECIAL GUEST

Lindsey Hansen

Assistant Principal

Atchison Public Schools, Kansas

Email: [email protected]

Follow Lindsey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.hansen.545 

Follow Lindsey on Twitter: @LindseyHansen79 

School Website: www.usd409.net 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AtchisonPublic 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atchisonpublic/?hl=en 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Social Media Bootcamp - It is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!

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

Back to school time is here, so what is your plan to get new staff involved in social media? If you don’t have one, you’re in the right place! Heidi is going to walk you through, step by step, on how and what you should share with your newest storytellers.

IN THIS EPISODE, HEIDI BREAKS DOWN:

• The importance of getting in front of new staff face-to-face
• How to introduce the social media process
• What activities to have the new staff members do right away so that they get involved
• Why social media is a critical piece of making new staff feel like they are part of your family

SPECIAL GUEST

Heidi Feller

Chief Inspirational Officer

#SocialSchool4EDU

[email protected]

Twitter: @heidi_feller

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Blog - How to get New Staff Involved in Social Media 
• Want to see a photo of Heidi in her first year of teaching? Click here!
• Grab helpful resources for training your staff here: socialschool4edu.com/resources/ 

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

Ever meet someone and immediately think “I want to be their friend”? This happened on the podcast interview for me, and I’m betting that you’ll feel the same way! Erin is going to inspire and support you in your role as a school communicator.

IN THIS EPISODE, ERIN SHARES:

• How she journeyed from a broadcast journalism major to teacher to school communicator
• Why she is so committed to continuous education even with a full plate of family and career
• How her district used digital media to communicate during a pandemic, leading up to a $222 million bond question
• The story behind starting a monthly podcast for her district and what they hope to accomplish through it

SPECIAL GUEST

Erin McCann

Director of Digital Media & Marketing

Allen ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

Follow Erin on Twitter: @McErin2006

School Website: https://www.allenisd.org/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Allen_ISD 

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfvxJiEZKRFEr8Wow89robw 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Social Media Best Practices for Schools - free 1-page download here
• Podcast on Back to School Checklist for Getting Staff Involved in Social Media
  • Blog Article
  • Podcast Episode
• Culinary Video - https://youtu.be/fMfbl5C1m_Y 
• Bond Videos:
  • Overall Bond Video - https://youtu.be/3e3aXYNlK1Q
  • Bite-sized Video - https://youtu.be/rBQbcHE3QIA 
  • Bite-sized Video - https://youtu.be/tNfwN6jTl3s 
• Podcast Links
  • Allen Voices
  • SchoolPR Happy Hour
  • Salt Over Your Shoulder

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

Looking for a unique way to engage your school community next year? A Facebook Live show sounds scary - but it’s totally possible! 

IN THIS EPISODE, MORGAN SHARES:

• How her company at Finalsite supports school communicators around the world with their services and free content
• Why your own social media use is important for professional growth
• The secrets behind the Facebook Live show that she did in her district - how she got started, what tools she used, and the biggest lessons learned
• Her best advice when it comes to social media - which includes a bit of tooting your own horn

SPECIAL GUEST

Morgan Delack

Director of Communications

Finalsite

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @Morgan_Delack

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgandelack/ 

Finalsite Website: https://www.finalsite.com/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Finalsite 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finalsite/?hl=en 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Check out the hundreds of helpful articles on Finalsite’s website: https://www.finalsite.com/blog 
• Join our free August Webinar! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/8-5-21webinar 
• 5 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Your School

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

Keeping up with social media trends can feel like a full-time job! Luckily for you, the team at #SocialSchool4EDU is here to help break down what is most important as you look ahead to the 2021-2022 school year.

IN THIS EPISODE, EMILY BREAKS DOWN:

• How she stays on top of what is working for social media
• Key trends on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn and how they apply to schools
• Her best advice for school communicators who feel overwhelmed when it comes to social media

SPECIAL GUEST

Emily Rae Schutte, MBA

Marketing Manager with #SocialSchool4EDU

Owner of Emily Writes, LLC - http://emilywritesllc.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-rae-schutte-mba/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Blog article that summarizes what was talked about: Social Media in 2021: Trends & Developments that Impact Schools
• You’re invited to join our membership group! Click here to get more information and to sign up.
• Our #K12PRtip referenced Linktree for adding multiple links in your bio on Instagram. Check it out!

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

School PR is a demanding role and as we transition back to in-person learning, there is a lot to plan for. But how are you planning to take care of YOU? If you didn’t even know you could ask that question, then you’re in the right spot! Mark Mohammadpour, APR, owner of Chasing the Sun, is going to give you a pep talk with actionable advice!

IN THIS EPISODE, MARK SHARES:

• His own health journey to losing more than 100 pounds back in 2008 and keeping it off ever since
• Four ways to think about your career in school PR and your health/wellness
• Two things you can do this summer to set yourself up for success next school year
• Simple tips to help you manage social media

SPECIAL GUEST

Mark Mohammadpour, APR

Founder

Chasing the Sun Health Coaching

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.chasingthesunpdx.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/markmoh 

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmohammadpour/ 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chasing-sun-fitness-health-wellness-mark-mohammadpour/id1446325272 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Mark will be presenting at NSPRA Seminar in New Orleans in July. Click here for more details.
• Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

MORE RESOURCES

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

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

Social media is a challenging role, but this week’s guest is going to give you so many takeaways to make your job easier! Tara Adams dishes out some amazing advice from her experience as the Communications Coordinator for Lakeside School District in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

IN THIS EPISODE, TARA SHARES:

• Her journey into school communications more than a decade ago
• Why she decided to join the Social Media Bootcamp program and what her biggest takeaways were
• The importance of letting staff and students be storytellers
• How she utilizes a broadcast class at the high school to help create amazing video content for social media

SPECIAL GUEST

Tara Adams

Communications Coordinator

Lakeside School District, Arkansas

Email: [email protected] 

School Website: www.lakesidesd.com 

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LakesideTV/ 

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

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Grab helpful free resources at our website: https://socialschool4edu.com/resources/
• Some of Tara’s favorite stories from the broadcast class:
  • Initial long version broadcast: Lakeside In Focus Episode 1 | September 21, 2017 (11:17 mins)
  • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE | 1.21.20 (quick hitter)
  • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE | LJHS 2.3.21 (full piece example) 
  • "Maybe it's for You" Series - Wrestling
  • Fishing with Friends
  • Heart of a Ram: Macy Burroughs (student feature)
  • Heart of a Ram: Mr. Ron (retired teacher now volunteer feature)
  • Heart of a Ram: A Special Bond (teacher feature)
  • An Inside Look: PreK Classroom 
  • An Inside Look: 4th Grade Classroom
  • An Inside Look: Lakeside Middle School Choir
  • An Inside Look: Cross Country
  • Our "Instagram Influencer" Highlight Reel
• You’re invited to join the programs Tara talked about. Learn more about them here:
  • Membership Program
  • Social Media Bootcamp (Note: The Social Media Bootcamp referenced in this podcast is now being incorporated into our Membership Program.)

Hang on to your seats, my friends. You are about to meet a woman on a mission who just earned a promotion due to her amazing school communication ninja skills! Jamie Brace never shies away from a challenge, and you’re going to see where it has gotten her.

IN THIS EPISODE, JAMIE INSPIRES US WITH:

• Her unique story of entering the world of school communications through the lens of a parent in the district.
• How she works with her Communication Cadres (her social media team) at each of her schools.
• Why she believes surrounding herself with other #SchoolPR pros is helping her succeed in her role.
• Tricks to getting administration comfortable with being on video.

SPECIAL GUEST

Jamie Brace

Communications & Media Relations Director

Claremore Public Schools, Oklahoma

Email: [email protected] 

Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jme_brace

School Website: https://www.claremore.k12.ok.us/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClaremoreZebras 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claremore.zebras/   

USEFUL INFORMATION

• The blog referenced in the K12PRtip: Our Very Best Instagram Stories Tips for Schools
• Fridays with Frazier playlist: Click here
• You’re invited to join the programs Jamie talked about. Learn more about them here:
  • Membership Program
  • Social Media Bootcamp (This bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program.)

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