The Content Generation

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Marialice Curran, founder and executive director of the Digital Citizenship Institute. With three decades of experience in education as a teacher, administrator, and professor, Marialice shares insights on digital citizenship, and its impact on how school communities engage online.

Marialice talks about how a third-grade classroom sparked a pursuit to transform the narrative around technology and social media. What started as a three-credit higher education course on digital citizenship, evolved into tailored programs that inspire local, global, and digital communities to use technology for good.

You'll also learn how the Digital Citizenship Institute is advancing conversations around artificial intelligence in schools with Mundo, an AI classroom assistant that offers a safe space for students to learn and explore AI. Marialice shares how embracing the positives of technology can create a ripple effect of good.

Join us as we welcome Sydney Jensen, returning guest and 2019 Nebraska Teacher of The Year. Sydney is an esteemed educator from Lincoln High School (located in the heart of the state's capital city). She first appeared on The Content Generation Podcast in December 2019. Now, after a decade of teaching, Sydney not only imparts her wisdom on ninth-grade English students but also manages the school's social media presence.

At first, Sydney was hesitant when Principal, Mark Larson, suggested she take on this responsibility, but after seeing the pages could use some extra care, she made a video at the eighth-grade open house that went viral. From highlighting new clubs to capturing quirky moments like alien hugs in the cafeteria, Sydney's content has resonated deeply with Lincoln High's community, propelling it to become the most followed high school in the district.

Drawing from the vibrant experiences of one of the state's largest and most diverse high schools, Sydney shares her plans for growth and the meaningful impact social media has had on both the school and its community. It's a tale of authenticity, connection, and the influence of engaging stories.

Join us for a conversation with Chad Stevens, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at ParentSquare, the leading provider of innovative family and community engagement solutions for K-12 education. With a rich 28-year background that spans both public and private sectors in education and technology, Stevens shares his insights into the interplay between teaching and tech.

This conversation explores the evolving world of digital education, shining a light on the crucial role of effective school public relations, the art of genuine storytelling, and the strategic use of technology to enhance the educational journey for students and families alike.

You'll also learn how ParentSquare is leading a communication revolution, directly impacting 17 million families nationwide. Stevens opens up about the company's latest strategic partnerships and acquisitions, highlighting how these developments are reinforcing the company's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and positive impact.

This episode of the Content Generation Podcast features Kyleigh Kumm, a computer science and technology integration teacher at Harlan Community High School in Harlan, Iowa. In response to the need to get social media channels running for the district and buildings, Kumm proposed recruiting student content creators to help.

Now, these talented and experienced content creators are chasing after a new goal: Kumm is developing an authentic learning class aimed at building student resumes and portfolios. After a successful rollout of the first iteration of the class, local businesses are getting involved, creating a unique opportunity for student content creators to gain real world experience not only with school social media content, but with content for actual local businesses. Her innovative, hands-on approach to working with students to learn, explore, and apply a range of skills has even led to the first ever live student social media contest at the Nebraska Education Technology Association spring conference.

Catch this episode for especially innovative insights on student involvement, championing student voice, real world learning, authentic assessment in practice, and more.

In this episode, hear from Nicole Eimer, digital communications specialist for Valley View Public Schools. Located in a suburb of Chicago, VVSD, proudly serves a diverse community of about 15,000 students and 21 educational facilities. During a recent revamp of the district's strategic plan, focus shifted to building a heightened sense of belonging among students, families, and staff. In response to this initiative, Eimer worked with schools to determine the best way to connect with students and families. Now, with a digital content creator at each school, VVSD social media accounts have blossomed. From compelling campaigns like "Friday Favorites", to showcasing their reading facility dogs, engagement has skyrocketed with student stories at the forefront. But, with a range of social media experience, from teachers to front office secretaries, how does Eimer ensure her team is creating quality content? And what has their experience been getting students involved in this initiative? The results are a testament to the power social media can have when people see themselves represented in the stories being told.

In this episode, we hear from Caden Block, a senior student athlete at Hastings High School and the winner of the 2023 Content Generation Award. Beyond breaking sports records, Caden discusses his journey into content creation, talking through the experience of creating social media content and telling stories through social channels. Inspired by the Mentoring Works program, Caden recognized the power of storytelling and used it as a driving force in his award-winning video, centered around an important theme: making an impact. Leading up to this endeavor, his passion for sports reached new heights through media classes, content creation, and the willingness to dig deeper when it comes to capturing the essence of the game. Caden's commitment to immersive storytelling has left a mark on his school and community, in addition to influencing his own life and career aspirations. He is an incredible example of the inspiration and passion that lies within every student, waiting to be empowered with opportunity.

High-school student Drew Colling discusses his journey as a content creator. Drew's forte is sports broadcasting and announcing, where he brings a captivating and enthusiastic style to play-by-play announcements. As a member of his school's multimedia team, he creates social media content for his school in a collaborative team environment alongside other students. With the help of Class Intercom's software, Drew and his team produce a wide range of both live and pre-scheduled content. With aspirations to pursue sports media in college, Drew's perspective as a content creator has evolved, prompting him to think critically about the messages he conveys and their contribution to each post as well as the way he collaborates with other students to cover the stories most pertinent to his school's audience. You don't want to miss Drew's unique perspective.

In this episode, we're joined by Josh Sauer, seasoned school communications expert and current Director of Solutions Engineering at Finalsite. His experience as a K-12 PR professional, his role in the Oklahoma School PR Association, and his position as a board member of the National School PR Association (NSPRA) all serve as evidence of his deep passion for kids, education, and storytelling. Josh's approach to storytelling in schools is both heart-driven and data-informed, turning everyday stories into compelling narratives. He derives his content from various sources, including his meaningful relationships, Chat GPT, and thorough keyword research. Don't miss Josh's insights into the evolving landscape of school PR, particularly the role of artificial intelligence and the importance of balancing it with authentic, humanized content.

Marketer Morgan Hobbs and Social Media Manager Nina Sobotka join us to share insights on the fast-paced and exciting world of semi-professional sports. This includes insights from their experiences in building and managing fan bases, navigating the unique challenges of social media, and producing authentic and engaging content about players, teams, leagues, and sports as a whole. They emphasize the importance of finding balance between organic and sales-focus content, as well as avoiding oversaturation. Despite the glamorous image that the social media industry gives off, Hobbs and Sobotka say it's an industry that requires thick skin and an attentive attitude. You don't want to miss this discussion pointed discussion about shareable content and the challenges and rewards of an often misunderstood industry.

Attorney Bobby Truhe from KSB School Law discusses the increasingly urgent need for legal expertise in the education sector. Following his first year of law school, Truhe gravitated toward school law, hoping to feel a genuine sense of making a difference. The post-pandemic era has brought about a surge in controversy, difficult conversations, and varying opinions, making his expertise and experience even more critical. In this episode, Bobby emphasizes the significance of gaining public trust, finding effective ways to deliver messages, and defending schools' decisions. We'll also talk about proactive strategies, First Amendment considerations, navigating gray areas, and leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT legally and compliantly. Don't miss this insightful conversation on empowering schools and the important role school attorneys play in ensuring a better educational future.