Mastering Social Media for Schools

As a school communicator, you have to deal with all of this and much, much more… So if you’re looking for some veteran advice, you’ve come to the right place! 

IN THIS EPISODE, VERONICA EXPLAINS:

• Her journey into #SchoolPR, which started in Texas in 2003.
• How she leads a communications team of 12, which is responsible for 83 schools.
• Key strategies for passing a nearly $1 billion bond.
• Tips for dealing with a crisis in schools.

SPECIAL GUEST

Veronica V. Sopher

Chief Communications Officer, Fort Bend ISD - Texas

President-Elect of TSPRA

Follow Veronica on Twitter: @vsopher

School Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/ 

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

Twitter:https://twitter.com/fortbendisd 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortbend.isd/ 

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/fort-bend-isd/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Find out more about TSPRA at tspra.org
• We chat about TikTok, but the school’s account is private. 

MORE RESOURCES

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

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

Let’s make 2021 the best year, yet, by focusing on you, the school communicator! Burnout is real and we’ve reached out to your peers across North America for advice. This podcast summarizes the 10 best tips!

IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREA BREAKS DOWN:

• Why it’s so easy for school communicators to get wrapped up in their job responsibilities
• 10 tips to help you earn back some work-life harmony
• Quotes from school communicators across the country - real advice that works
• An action plan to grab the two things you need to work on right away

Email Andrea the top two tips that you will work on at [email protected]

Follow Andrea on Twitter: @AndreaGribble

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Free download that summarizes the 10 tips - click here
• Blog reference with even more advice from your peers: 10 Practical Tips to Avoid Burnout in #SchoolPR - From Your Fellow School Communicators
• Learn more about our membership community - 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

Feeling exhausted, frustrated, uninspired, and burnt out when it comes to your job in school communications? You’re not alone - and Stephanie has something to share that can help!

IN THIS EPISODE, STEPHANIE EXPLAINS:

• Her role as Chief People Officer at #SocialSchool4EDU, managing a team of 30 social media account managers
• What the Social Media Bootcamp program is about and who it’s designed to serve
• How the power of community can help you make big strides in your role
• Why getting your staff involved in telling stories is so important

SPECIAL GUEST

Stephanie Sinz

Chief People Officer

#SocialSchool4EDU

Stephanie’s email: [email protected]

USEFUL INFORMATION

• The Social Media Bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!
• Listen to Cara Adney, Bootcamp graduate, on episode 27 of the podcast

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 a small department trying to celebrate all of the great things happening in your large school district? This interview is overflowing with amazing examples, no matter the size of your district!

IN THIS EPISODE, CHRISTIAN SHARES:

• His journey, which started out as a part-time contractor with Jefferson Parish Schools back in 2012.
• How he now works with his 80 schools to develop great social media content.
• Several video ideas (linked below) that he has used to drive engagement with the district’s community.
• Why staff and student features are so important to his social media strategy.

SPECIAL GUEST

Christian Justrabo

Communications Coordinator

Jefferson Parish Schools, Louisiana

Follow Christian on Twitter: @cjustrabo

Christian’s email: [email protected] 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jpschools 

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JPPSSCommunications 

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

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/jppss

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Social Media Directory link on website
• FB video - Superintendent Subbing
• FB video - National School Counseling Week Video
• FB video - Student Council Member Introduction
• Student Feature Example
• Staff Feature Example

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, you get to meet a 2020 high school graduate who shares her amazing perspective as an Instagram Story contributor. 

IN THIS EPISODE, ANNABELLE EXPLAINS:

• How she got involved in social media at her school
• What training was involved before she got started
• Why she was so excited to highlight all of the student stories happening in her high school
• Easy tips on making your stories more engaging

SPECIAL GUEST

Annabelle Moon

Student

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

If you have questions for Annabelle, you can email her at [email protected] 

Reedsburg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reedsburgschools 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• FFA feature story
• Helpful blog - Student Contributors for Social Media

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

Sharing a “day in the life” of a typical student was Vivien’s original goal of the Instagram page, and now she accomplishes so much more! Learn the secrets that Vivien uses to connect with students and families that come from 45 states and 54 countries.

IN THIS EPISODE, VIVIEN INSPIRES US WITH:

• How she built an Instagram following of over 5,200 over the last 5 years
• Strategies she uses to show current and prospective students what life is like on campus
• Easy ways to use IG Stories to interact with students (because they won’t call or email, but they’ll ask questions on social media)
• Storytelling methods that showcase staff as real people

SPECIAL GUEST

Vivien Valenzuela Mallick

Director of Admission Operations

Phillips Academy (Andover) - Andover, MA

Follow Vivien on Instagram: @andoveradmissions

Vivien on Twitter: @Admissions01810

School Website: https://www.andover.edu/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/phillipsacademy 

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PhillipsAndover 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/phillips-academy/ 

SmugMug: https://phillipsacademy.smugmug.com/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Gratitude highlight - showcasing the responses from her story question
• Meet the Admission team - example post of former USA Hockey Team Member
• Campus Tour using Instagram Stories

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

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) is an amazing organization that supports schools across the United States and Canada. Today, you’ll meet the brand-new Executive Director, Barbara Hunter, APR.

IN THIS EPISODE, BARBARA SHARES:

• Her diverse background in communications for schools and organizations.
• How she plans to grow the membership beyond its current record numbers.
• The challenges many school communicators are facing right now.
• Why social media plays a pivotal role in schools and how it can be used to increase engagement and morale.

SPECIAL GUEST

Barbara Hunter, APR

Executive Director

National School Public Relations Association

Follow Barbara on Twitter: @NSPRA_ED

Website: https://www.nspra.org/ 

FREE WEBINAR INVITE

Tuesday, December 8th at Noon EST

Register here

“Social Storytelling During COVID - 7 No-Fail Strategies to Keep Families Engaged”

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Rising to the Challenge - Video series from Norfolk Public Schools
• Find out more about the wonderful membership benefits at NSPRA by visiting https://www.nspra.org/member_benefits 

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 a one-person communications department? Andrew has a ton of practical advice in this interview - you’ll see why he was recently named to NSPRA’s 35 under 35 list!

IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREW EXPLAINS:

• His journey back to serve the school district he graduated from
• How he turned his staff into storytellers
• Video tips to tug on the heartstrings and build meaningful engagement with your community
• Several spotlight campaigns that give him continuous content month after month, even during a pandemic!

SPECIAL GUEST

Andrew P. Robinson

Communications Coordinator

Gettysburg Area School District, Pennsylvania

Follow Andrew on Twitter: @RobinsonReports

Andrew’s Blog & Other Links: https://www.andrewprobinson.com/social

School Website: https://www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GASD_pa

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4TIxxkgSUkKloepx6R_uxw   

FREE WEBINAR INVITE

Tuesday, December 8th at Noon EST

Register here

“Social Storytelling During COVID - 7 No-Fail Strategies to Keep Families Engaged”

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Video highlighting students who made a 3D printed hand for a woman - click here
• “Share your Story” poster template (for staff) - Page 1, Page 2, Page 3
• Elementary staff secretary spotlight - over 100 comments!!
• GASD Glows post
• GASD Glows Highlighters - click here to see the photo

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

Listen to a timely conversation about the current state of social media in schools in this podcast interview from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association’s podcast, “School PR Drive Time.”

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

• The evolution of social media in school PR
• How to handle negative comments that show up on your school pages
• The future of Facebook with current censorship concerns from users
• How to build an army of storytellers so that you can celebrate all of the great things happening in your school district

SHARED PODCAST FROM

School PR Drive Time

NCSPRA - https://www.ncspra.org/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Helpful blog - Controlling Comments on Facebook

MORE RESOURCES

Free video training - Social Media Secrets for Schools

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

The best inspiration comes in the form of a story. If you’re struggling in your role as a school communicator (and who isn’t in 2020), then this episode and Kristin’s practical advice is just what you need!

IN THIS EPISODE, KRISTIN INSPIRES US WITH:

• Tricks to being successful in a 1-person communications shop with 18,000 students
• How she created a Communication Crew filled with staff members
• Ways she uses different social media platforms to connect with different audiences
• The incredible story behind Kid Superintendent - the project that landed her and her son on Good Morning America!

SPECIAL GUEST

Kristin Boyd Edwards

Communications Director

Reading School District, Reading, PA

Follow Kristin on Twitter: @KristinBoydPR

Email Kristin at [email protected] 

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

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ReadingSD 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RDGschools 

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/RedKnightTV 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-school-district-l-reading-pa-/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Learn more about the membership program that Kristin is a part of at this link
• Kid Superintendent Video
• Class Intercom - a helpful program to allow staff/students to submit content
• Air Hug post - this post asked for a response using an emoji and yielded over 160 comments!

MORE RESOURCES

Grab the free video course - Social Media Secrets for Schools

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com