Happy Valentine's Day Patrons of the Happy Hour. In this episode, we step outside of the industry to have an important conversation on the effect our jobs can have on the ones we love. Justin welcomed his wife, Caty Dearing, into the studio to talk School PR, the effects the job can have on a relationship, and even a little bit of the importance of incorporating teacher voice into our communications. You will realize very quickly that Caty is way smarter than Justin and should probably have her own educational podcast.

(Possible Trigger Warning)

Crisis.

The subject that School PR professionals seek endless training upon, consider themselves experts and prepare materials for.  No matter how much you prepare, the true nature of a crisis, is there is always something you don't know.

In episode 12, Kim Cathey from Floresville ISD talks with Erin about two severe crisis situations she guided her district through - both natural and manmade disasters.

This episode contains serious material and addresses student death.  If this is a trigger for you, you may wish to skip this episode.

Our jobs are to tell the good stories that are going on in the classrooms, but what are we doing about public education as a whole.? Join Justin as he talks with Dr. Richard Long from Learning First Alliance and Rich Bagin, APR from NSPRA about ways School PR professionals can step up and speak out for public schools. Public Schools Week is February 24-28... have you signed the pledge to support public schools? Learn how in episode 11.

Happy New Year School PR!

A new year is filled with new energy and new opportunity.  In this special New Year's Day episode, Erin talks with School PR Rookie JP Prezzavento  on breaking into the industry and finding your niche in school PR.

We are storytellers, but what makes a great story? This "extended" episode of School PR Happy Hour dives into everything VISUAL storytelling.

Tove Tupper, Assistant Director of Communications for Highline Public Schools in Washington and Derek Duncan, Digital Communications Coordinator at Parkway Schools in St. Louis join Justin to talk about visual storytelling. 

As we move into the Holiday season, it feels appropriate to take some time to touch on an issue that has been a hot button in the K12 PR world.  

How good are you, as a practitioner of School PR, at taking time to take care of yourself, or to check in internally to make sure you are achieving balance in your life?

In this episode, Erin talks with two dynamic thought leaders who are pioneering this conversation on a national level.  Join Shawn McKillop APR, and Kristin Magette APR for an episode you don't want to miss. 

The most important voices in our district are the kids walking the hall. What if we, as storytellers, found unique ways for those students to be the storytellers. Brenda Drake, PIO for Montgomery County Public Schools is doing just that through her Ambassador program's Instagram responsibilities. 

According to the New York Times best selling author Brene Brown, embracing Vulnerability is the key to unlocking greater clarity in our potential.

Adam Harris, Head of Storytelling for Arlington Heights School District, feels exactly the same way.  In episode 6, Adam shares how he uses vulnerability to increase his storytelling for his district built trust with his audiences, and challenge the status quo.

Lesley Bruinton, APR, the Coordinator of Public Relations for Tuscaloosa Schools in Tuscaloosa Alabama and NSPRA President-Elect joins Justin to talk about the important role that strategy plays in the day to day operations of a School Communications Plan. 

Whether you are a strategy pro or if it is something you have never really jumped into, this episode will leave you with tips and motivation to really examine the WHY in your daily work processes.