Advertise on podcast: Mastering Social Media for Schools

Today’s guest brings such a practical perspective for women in school leadership, especially when it comes to speaking up about your strengths, advocating for your work, and building confidence in a way that feels authentic.If burnout has been creeping in, this episode will really hit home. Rebecca unpacks how unclear roles, weak boundaries, and always saying yes can quietly push high-achievers past their limit.One of the most powerful ideas in this conversation is to treat self-advocacy as a strategic communications plan. You’ll hear how to track your accomplishments, connect them to goals, and share them at the right time.This episode is a great reminder that leadership is not about doing everything yourself. Rebecca shares how setting boundaries, saying no more intentionally, and focusing on what actually moves the work forward can change everything. SPECIAL GUEST Rebecca Malotke-Meslin Leadership Coach & Speaker Pleasantly Aggressive, Illinois Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malotke-meslin/   Website: https://www.pleasantlyaggressive.com/  Facebook: https://facebook.com/pleasantlyaggressive  Instagram: https://instagram.com/pleasantlyaggressive  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pleasantlyaggressive  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

Elissa Dickey shares how she grew Aberdeen Public Schools’ presence from just 36 followers to nearly 2,000 by telling positive stories, building trust across the district, and staying consistent. Her journey is such a good reminder that growth does not happen overnight, but it does happen when you keep showing up.This episode will encourage any one-person school comms shop that feels stretched thin. Elissa talks through how she gathers content from staff, uses simple systems for submissions, and turns everyday school moments into posts families actually care about.Her growth with short-form video is especially worth hearing. Elissa opens up about trying new things, learning what works on Instagram, and seeing stronger results with shorter Reels, trending audio, and branded cover images.You’ll also hear how bringing in a student intern helped expand storytelling in a fresh way. It’s a practical example of how schools can grow their content capacity, empower students, and create more authentic coverage without needing a huge team. SPECIAL GUEST Elissa Dickey Communications and Marketing Director Aberdeen Public School District, South Dakota Email: [email protected]  Website: https://www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenPublicSchools  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aberdeenpublicschools/  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

Kari Klebba reveals the moment Milton realized their usual enrollment reminders weren’t landing - and the unexpected shift that changed their results. You’ll hear the simple “event-style” concept they used to make 4K/kindergarten enrollment feel exciting and why it sparked attention well beyond the classroom. Kari breaks down what her community consistently responds to (and what they scroll past), including a few small creative choices that made a big difference. She also shares the tools she uses! Wondering how to pull off kid-focused content without chaos (or complaints)? Kari shares the behind-the-scenes approach that keeps it smooth, repeatable, and parent-friendly. SPECIAL GUEST Kari Klebba Communications, Community Outreach, and Safety Coordinator School District of Milton, Wisconsin Email: [email protected]  Website: https://www.milton.k12.wi.us  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchDistofMilton  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milton_school_district  USEFUL INFORMATION Original 4K Signing Day PostSigning Day Reel from Last Year (most viewed Reel)Cha Cha Slide Reel4K FlyerVanHalen Jump into 4K ReelSaved a Seat Reel4K Orientation Event CoverStatic 4K Orientation Post on FacebookOrder 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

Andrea breaks down what’s changing (without panic) - why WCAG 2.1 AA is becoming the standard for all school digital content (including social media), plus the key compliance timelines (April 2026/April 2027).Alt text becomes a daily habit, not an optional extra. You’ll learn what “good” alt text sounds like, what to avoid when describing students, and how to edit alt text on Facebook/Instagram (even after posting).Video accessibility is more than auto-captions. The episode explains when captions matter most, how to handle “vibes-only” videos, and why accurate captions can help both accessibility and discoverability. Email: [email protected]  Follow Andrea on X: @andreagribble  Website: https://socialschool4edu.com   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialschool4edu   USEFUL INFORMATION Video Tip - How to add alternative text to Facebook imagesVideo Tip - How to auto caption your videos in Instagram ReelsSocial Media for Schools Retreat - Register here!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

Sara Meredith shares how Peoria Unified rebuilt teacher recruitment around research - not guesses - so messaging matched what educators actually value.You’ll hear why “pay” wasn’t the main reason staff were leaving and how that insight reshaped their campaign to spotlight coaching, benefits, and growth.Get practical ideas you can steal: staff testimonials (“Why Peoria?”), shareable mini-toolkits for employees, and recognition that fuels word-of-mouth.Learn what made their paid strategy work (Meta, LinkedIn, Google search + retargeting), how they targeted out-of-state talent, and what success looked like - like 96% teacher retention. SPECIAL GUEST Sara Meredith, APR Public Relations Manager Peoria Unified School District, Arizona Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarajmeredith/  Website: https://peoriaunified.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peoriaunified  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoriaunified11/  USEFUL INFORMATION Check out the entire project on the NSPRA website - Why Peoria Unified? 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

Author, speaker, and retired school leader Dr. Joe Sanfelippo joins the podcast to dive into his newest book, Lead from Who You Are. It all starts with values - because who you are drives how you lead.You’ll learn Joe’s three leadership rhythms (personal, people, process) and how they help you stay steady - even when school life isn’t.Presence isn’t a personality trait; it’s a habit. Hear how small hallway moments and micro-interactions build trust for the big decisions.For school communicators, Joe offers a simple reset: start with purpose before the day hijacks you, and use “see something, say something” to build momentum through storytelling. SPECIAL GUEST Dr. Joe Sanfelippo Author, Motivational Speaker, Leadership Coach, & Retired Superintendent Email: [email protected]  Website: https://www.jsanfelippo.com  Connect with Joe: X: @joe_sanfelippo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesanfelippo/  USEFUL INFORMATION Order Joe’s book, Lead from Who You Are, here:  https://www.jsanfelippo.com/bookstore/lead-from-who-you-are Self-nominations are now open for our 2026 Best of Social Media Awards! Submit up to 2 categories for free at this link.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

Adelle Wellens walks us through how she survived 13 crises in just 9 days - and she handled them all as a solo communications department! You’ll learn some of the tools she had in place to help.You’ll hear how strong community relationships made all the difference during high-stress situations.Adelle shares simple social media settings and templates that helped her stay sane and stay ahead. She is part of the #SocialSchool4EDU Membership Program, and the support she received was really helpful to her in recent situations.She’s not backing down from tough topics - and shares how you can post boldly while keeping things kind. SPECIAL GUEST Adelle Wellens Communications Officer Duluth Public Schools, Minnesota Email: [email protected]  Website: https://www.isd709.org/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duluthpublicschools/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duluthpublicschools/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/duluth-public-schools  USEFUL INFORMATION See the news coverage of the car crashing into the schoolOrder 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

It’s here - the 2026 Social Media Survey results! Listen in as Andrea breaks down what 497 respondents revealed about who’s running school social media, what platforms they’re managing, and what’s shifting year-over-year.Facebook still dominates, Instagram remains strong, and X/Twitter continues to slide - learn the biggest changes since 2022.Are you ready for the new accessibility standards that will impact the social media content you share? This new question will provide insight into how others are feeling.Social media has challenges, and we know you have some goals moving forward. Learn the top 10 list of each and grab some great resources to take action to help you succeed. Email: [email protected]   Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreagribble/   Website: www.socialschool4edu.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialschool4edu    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialschool4edu/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialSchool4EDU  USEFUL INFORMATION Link to 2026 Social Media Survey blogYou’re invited to our Social Media for Schools Retreat - Learn more here.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

Today you’ll meet Iuri Melo, a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of SchoolPulse, who's helping schools support student mental health in a whole new way. Learn how simple texts are changing the game for student wellness and opening doors to real-time help. Think your school is doing “enough”? Iuri breaks down the three questions every school should be ready to answer - especially when a crisis hits. One student. One message. One moment that may have changed everything. This powerful story proves just how much impact your school can have. SPECIAL GUEST Iuri Melo, LCSW Co-Founder of SchoolPulse SchoolPulse, Utah Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iuri-melo-lcsw-ab9521393/    Website: https://www.schoolpulse.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schoolpulse.org  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolpulse/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schoolpulse/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SchoolPulsePodcast  USEFUL INFORMATION Video overview of SchoolPulse - just 2 minutesSign up to experience a demonstration of the text service provided by SchoolPulseText the word “DEMO” to 888-298-5368Mental Health Resources at SchoolPulseIuri’s books:Know Thy SelfieMind Over Grey MatterOrder 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

Jeannette Hartwig is a one-person comms team - but that didn’t stop her from leading a customer service refresh across her district. You’ll love the simple, eye-opening tactic she used to uncover real customer service gaps. She created a go-to resource for staff that’s still making a difference - find out what’s in it! Plus, Jeannette’s using a few clever AI tools to better serve families... and they’re not as complicated as you might think. SPECIAL GUEST Jeannette Hartwig Public Information Office & Webmaster North Plainfield School District, New Jersey Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannette-hartwig/  Website: https://www.nplainfield.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northplainfieldschools/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northplainfieldschools/  USEFUL INFORMATION Jeannette’s customer service presentation & tip sheetLive AI translation, captions, transcripts & more with Wordly.aiOrder 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

Mental health is a top-of-mind topic for schools across the country. Today you’ll meet Tasha Schuh. She shares her powerful journey of resilience and how it fuels her mission to support others through speaking, coaching, and now, a brand-new resilience course.Learn how Tasha uses social media for good - creating authentic, hope-filled content that connects deeply with students and adults alike.She introduces her PATH method (Purpose, Attitude, Team, Hope) and offers practical strategies, such as gratitude journaling and the power of asking for help.Listeners will walk away with a fresh perspective and encouragement to set boundaries, build their team, and model resilience in their schools and lives. SPECIAL GUEST Tasha Schuh Speaker, Author, and Resilience Coach Tasha Schuh Inspirations, LLC, Wisconsin Email: [email protected]  Website: https://www.tashaschuh.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tashaschuh99  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tashaschuh/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tashaschuh  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Tashaschuh/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TashaSchuh99  USEFUL INFORMATION Get access to Tasha’s new course on resilience at this link. Use code “PODCASTC20” for 20% off!Learn more about Resilience Coaching here.A new podcast is coming - search for Resilience with Tasha Schuh and subscribe today!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

Andrea Gribble walks through seven smart, practical strategies designed to ease the stress of managing school social media. Whether you're brand new to the role or a seasoned storyteller, these tips will help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. You'll learn how narrowing your focus to your most effective platforms and choosing a few weekly features can bring structure and sanity to your schedule. It’s all about working smarter, not harder—and creating systems that support consistency. Perfection can be paralyzing, so Andrea shares why embracing a “just post it” mindset can help you stay visible and authentic without burning out. She reminds us that showing up regularly matters more than flawless content. Tapping into help from students and connecting with a supportive community of school social media pros can make a world of difference. Andrea explains how these two secret weapons can reduce your workload while keeping your content fresh and engaging. Email: [email protected]  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreagribble/  Website: www.socialschool4edu.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialschool4edu   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialschool4edu/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialSchool4EDU  USEFUL INFORMATION Helpful blog with lots of links to helpful resources & examples - Social Media Doesn’t Have To Be So OverwhelmingInterested in joining our community? Learn more about the #SocialSchool4EDU Membersip Program: https://socialschool4edu.com/We still have some spots open for our in-person retreat happening in June of 2026! Get the full details and sign up here: https://socialschool4edu.com/retreat/ 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

Kayla and Kelly share how they launched a districtwide Social Media Champions program within their growing school system in Iowa, including why they started it and how they secured buy-in from leadership to offer a stipend for these employees. You’ll hear how they structured expectations, offered ongoing support, and adapted training to work across 20 different schools. The social media results speak for themselves: a 35% increase in followers, 870% more video views, and a 75% bump in posting frequency in just one year. They also share some of the best stories that their schools have created since the start of the program. This episode is packed with replicable ideas - from fostering school-level ownership to using Google Chat for peer support to their approach to national recognition days. You’ll walk away with fresh inspiration (and their job description!). SPECIAL GUESTS Kayla Choate Executive Director of Communications Waukee Community School District, Iowa Email:  [email protected]  Kelly Jellings Communications Manager Waukee Community School District, Iowa Email: [email protected]  Website: https://www.waukeeschools.org/  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WaukeeCSD  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waukeecsd/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/waukeecsd  USEFUL INFORMATION Job description for Social Media ChampionsDisney Reel from one of our elementary schools in April 2024"Throwing a Fit" reel from Waukee CSD middle school 1 school Facebook page: Waukee Elementary1 school Instagram page: Radiant ElementaryOrder 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

Coty Kuschinsky shares how empowering every staff member to be a storyteller has created major pride, connection, and culture at Saginaw ISD. “Collective authorship” isn’t just a fancy term - Coty breaks down exactly how it works and how you can make it happen, even if you're a one-person shop. Forget perfect photos and polished captions - real, raw moments are what truly resonate. Coty explains why authenticity wins every time. You’ll love Coty’s staff recognition strategy, which uses storytelling to shine a light on everyday heroes, and Gallup data proves it’s working! SPECIAL GUEST Coty Kuschinsky Chief of Staff & Communications Director Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD), Michigan Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cotykuschinsky/  Website: https://www.sisd.cc  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saginawisd  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saginawisd/  X: https://x.com/SaginawISD  USEFUL INFORMATION Blog: Accessibility and the New Standards: What School Social Media Managers Need to KnowOrder 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

Michelle Shue shares how she and her team pulled off an award-winning kindergarten campaign without a marketing background.  From “What even is a campaign?” to NSPRA Gold Medallion winner, hear how ChatGPT helped Michelle figure it all out. You’ll get access to real, ready-to-use resources - from social media posts to a family-friendly readiness guide. The links are below! Whether it’s teaching kids to skip or telling your district’s story, Michelle’s approach will leave you inspired (and cracking a smile). SPECIAL GUEST Michelle Shue Director of Marketing and Communications Rowan-Salisbury School System, North Carolina Email: [email protected]  Website: https://rssed.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rowansalisburyschools  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowansalisburyschools/  USEFUL INFORMATION Click here to see the #StartStrongKinderReady information on their websiteSee their NSPRA Submission hereWant to book a 1-on-1 Consultation with Andrea? Click here to learn more!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