Mastering Social Media for Schools

1. Superintendent Dr. Jason Hewitt and communications pro Erin Goad open up about how Shepherd ISD rebuilt community trust using social media.

1. Think you can't afford a communications director? Hear how Erin’s unique path from librarian to storyteller is helping transform culture in their small Texas district of 1900 students.
   
   
   
2. Wondering how to celebrate teachers and grow your own staff? Don’t miss Shepherd’s jaw-dropping surprise patrol and Inspire program—it’s changing lives.
   
   
   
3. Shepherd ISD made a bold move: turning off Facebook comments. Find out why—and how it actually boosted engagement and community respect.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Dr. Jason Hewitt

Superintendent

Shepherd ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

Erin Goad

Director of Communications and Library Services

Shepherd ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.shepherdisd.net 

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

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Learn more about the TIA - Teacher Incentive Allotment Awards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIw3NvPKw0g
• Planning to attend NSPRA? Don’t miss our 4-hour workshop with #SocialSchool4EDU on Sunday, July 20! Get hands-on strategies to level up your school’s social media game. Sign up here 👉 https://forms.gle/jy61GdRnrTmuCYsMA
• 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. Hear how AndreAnna Tate took a big idea—student influencers—and turned it into a game-changing program at Irving ISD.
   
   
   
2. Want to reach families and community members without children in your schools? AndreAnna’s strategy using Nextdoor might be your next big move.
   
   
   
3. From planning events to writing scripts, learn how these students do way more than just create social posts.
   
   
   
4. Curious how she got over 80 students to apply—and grew that number by 51% in year two? You’ll grab the secret sauce.

SPECIAL GUEST

AndreAnna Tate

Digital Media and Marketing Coordinator

Irving ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/andreannatate 

Website: https://www.IrvingISD.net 

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

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

X: https://x.com/IrvingISD 

Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/pages/irving-isd 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• AndreAnna’s Examples:
  • 🔗 Racquel's reel
  • 🔗 Peter's Yale vlog
  • 🔗 2023-2024 MacArthur HS Influencer Reel
  • 🔗 Student Influencer website 
• 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

4 Key Takeaways:

1. Foundations of Higher Performance
   Learn about Mark’s life-changing “Higher Performance Generation” system—built on mindset, relationships, and self-mastery—and how it helps students and educators elevate performance and well-being.
   
   
   
2. The Story That Sparked It All
   Hear the powerful, emotional story of a student whose life was saved through connection and care—and how it inspired Mark to reverse-engineer a system to help others before they hit rock bottom.
   
   
   
3. Simple Tools with Big Impact
   Discover why language matters, how to move from a negative to a positive mindset, and why taking ownership (instead of making excuses) can completely shift school and personal culture.
   
   
   
4. Practical Strategies for Stress & Connection
   Explore real-world tools to get out of survival mode, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships—perfect for school leaders, teachers, communicators, and students alike.
   
   
   

SPECIAL GUEST

Mark D. Oman

Higher Performance Coach and Speaker

Amery, Wisconsin

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://omanperformancecoaching.com

Connect with Mark on Facebook 

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

4 Key Takeaways for Listeners:

1. Batch It & Relax – Plan ahead with repeatable features like Throwback Thursdays, Question of the Week, and staff shoutouts to keep your feed active without burning out.
   
   
   
2. Engage Through Challenges – Try summer reading challenges or school spirit days to spark interaction and user-generated content.
   
   
   
3. Show the Humans Behind the Scenes – Custodial staff, food service workers, and bus drivers are summer MVPs—celebrate their behind-the-scenes work!
   
   
   
4. Admire & Acquire – Don’t reinvent the wheel. Follow schools doing it well and adapt great ideas to fit your district’s vibe.

Email: [email protected] 

Follow Andrea on X: @andreagribble

Website: https://www.socialschool4edu.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialschool4edu 

SPECIAL GUEST

Melissa Marti

Director of Membership

#SocialSchool4EDU

Email: [email protected] 

Facebook pages that Melissa manages: Hibbing Schools in Minnesota and Pittsville School District in Wisconsin

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/
• New PDF resource: 25 Social Media Post Ideas for Summer
• Love checklists? Don’t forget about our 100 ideas list and 50 more!
• Check out this cool “Roast” trend used by Texarkana.
• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!

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

What happens when you empower school staff with the tools and confidence to tell their own stories? 💥 You get a district-wide transformation.

In this episode, you'll hear how Marshalltown’s Social Media Ambassador program, led by Abby Koch and supported by Andrea Gribble, turned friendly competition into meaningful engagement.

• Learn why your videos don’t have to be perfect to make an impact
• Find out how social media boosted staff morale, student excitement, and even helped with recruitment
• Discover easy tools and creative tips from the front lines

This episode is one you’ll want to share with your team!

SPECIAL GUESTS

Abby Koch

Director of Communications

Marshalltown Community School District, Iowa

Email: [email protected] 

X: @MkayAbby

LinkedIn: @AbbyLKoch

Sugey Alvarez

School Resource Specialist

Marshalltown Community School District, Iowa

Tanya Kenner

Administrative Assistant

Marshalltown Community School District, Iowa

Website: https://www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marshalltown.Schools 

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

Rogers Elementary Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rogerselem 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Join our Summer Book Club starting Tuesday, June 10th! Sign up here.
• Reel Examples:
  • Introducing the new school principal
  • Buddy the Elf Dance
  • Staff dance into spring break
• 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. Today’s episode is unique and we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Amanda Materre, whose unexpected career path shows how embracing new tools can open new doors – even for those who start out in the classroom.
2. How can AI help school communicators get a week of time back each month? Dr. Materre reveals her top tools and strategies.
3. Want to align your messaging across platforms without doubling your work? Learn how AI can streamline your content creation process.
4. Discover why authenticity and vulnerability are key to powerful communication – and how AI can support (not replace) your voice.

✨ Bonus: Amanda’s AI Resource Board is linked in the show notes!

SPECIAL GUEST

Amanda Materre

Innovative Digital and Web Services Manager & Keynote Speaker

Texas

Email: [email protected] 

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

Personal X: @amandamaterre

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

USEFUL INFORMATION

• “Social Media for Schools” Summer 2025 Book Club - register for this free webinar series here!
• Bonus AI Tool sheet from Amanda
• 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

Your school’s brand is more than a logo—it’s how your community connects with your story. In this episode, Andrea chats with Kelly May from CEL Marketing PR & Design to break down a 10-item checklist to ensure your brand is ready for social media. From templates to accessibility, you’ll walk away with practical tips you can apply immediately.

4 Key Takeaways:

1. Why consistent branding builds trust – and how to reflect your school’s personality on social media.
2. Essential elements your brand kit must include – from cover banners to flexible color palettes and scalable logos.
3. How to design for accessibility – including tips for color contrast, alt text, and captions.
4. The importance of branded templates and photo libraries – to save time and tell better, more engaging stories.

SPECIAL GUEST

Kelly May

Design Director

CEL Marketing | PR | Design, Minnesota

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.celpr.com/ 

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

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cel-marketing-pr-design 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Branding examples from dozens of schools - https://www.celpr.com/marketing-agency-portfolio/ 
• Join the LIVE Golden Gribble Awards on Friday, May 9th, at noon EDT! Click here for all the details and the Zoom link to join! 
• 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

In this episode, you’ll hear from Lisa Streckert at St. Croix Lutheran Academy in Minnesota and learn her best tips for successful school storytelling on social media.

• Consistency Builds Engagement: Posting daily and encouraging simple interactions from parents and teachers can lead to strong, consistent engagement, even in a smaller school setting.
• Use a School-Owned iPhone: Having a dedicated phone for photos, content collection, and text submissions from staff has been a game-changer for organizing and separating work/personal life.
• Quick, Authentic Moments Win: Reels and posts featuring spontaneous, relatable moments—like the principal shoveling snow—often perform better than polished, time-consuming content.
• Divide and Conquer for Big Events: Tag-teaming large events like choir festivals with one person on photos and another on video helps capture more content with less stress and boosts sharing across schools.

SPECIAL GUEST

Lisa Streckert

Communications Assistant and Middle School Administrative Assistant

St. Croix Lutheran Academy, Minnesota

Email: [email protected] 

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

Website: https://stcroixlutheran.org 

Facebook: https://facebook.com/stcroixlutheran 

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/saint-croix-lutheran-academy 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Join the LIVE Golden Gribble Awards on Friday, May 9th, at noon EDT! Click here for all the details and the Zoom link to join! 
• Choral Festival Reels:
  • Recap
  • Student Video
  • Getting Ready
  • Heavenly Preview
• Principal Shoveling Reel 
• 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

• Extra, extra—scroll all about it! Former journalist turned school communicator Daniel Langhorne shares how his newsroom background helps him uncover and celebrate the best stories at Sage Hill School in Newport Beach, California.
• Timeliness and authenticity matter! Learn why Daniel and his team treat school PR like a small newsroom—focusing on real-time, engaging content that makes an impact.
• Mastering Instagram storytelling – Sage Hill has doubled down on Instagram as its primary platform. Hear why they made this choice and how it’s resonating with students, staff, and families.
• Struggling with Reels? Get practical tips on how to capture key moments, what shots to prioritize, and what equipment (or lack thereof!) you really need to create effective school videos.

SPECIAL GUEST

Daniel Langhorne

Communications & Website Manager

Sage Hill School, California

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-langhorne-97429615/ 

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dlanghorne.bsky.social 

Website: https://www.sagehillschool.org/ 

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

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

PodBean: https://sagehill.podbean.com/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• You’re invited to #SocialSchool4EDU’s NSPRA 2025 Partner Power Session - July 20, 2025, from 8 am to noon - full details and register here
• Daniel’s examples
  • Groundbreaking Ceremony - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDgQxOwRqm6/ 
  • Homecoming Pep Rally - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBjzUxwsbh8/ 
• Join the LIVE Golden Gribble Awards on Friday, May 9th, at noon EDT! Click here for all the details and the Zoom link to join! 
• 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

Managing social media for your school shouldn’t feel overwhelming—good news, there’s a better way! In this episode, we dive into expert insights and a powerful tool that can help you streamline your process and save time. 

Tune in to learn:

• The Evolution of Social Media Management – How a journalist-turned-expert helps schools simplify their social strategy.
• Maximizing Efficiency – A game-changing tool that can cut social media workload by up to 80%.
• Nextdoor & Schools – How this often-overlooked platform can enhance storytelling and community engagement.
• Empowering Students & Parents – Smart strategies to safely include more voices in your school’s social media efforts.

Hit play and discover how to work smarter, not harder, when it comes to school social media! 🎧

SPECIAL GUEST

Sarah Loyd

Head of Product Success & Evangelism

Social News Desk

Email: [email protected] 

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

Website: https://www.socialnewsdesk.com 

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/socialnewsdesk 

X: https://x.com/socialnewsdesk 

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@socialnewsdesk 

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/socialnewsdesk.com 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• New 100 Ideas Download from #SocialSchool4EDU
• Genesee ISD Bus Driver Recruitment video
• SND Free Trial & Demo: https://www.socialnewsdesk.com/demo/
• Webinar Replay: Social Storytelling Strategies for K-12 (with Genesee ISD)
• EBook: Social Storytelling Strategies for K-12
• 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