Explore every episode of the podcast SchoolCEO: K-12 Marketing + Communications
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| SWOT Analysis | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:05:27 | |
Summary: In this episode we share a SWOT analysis of school communications nationwide. Show Notes: Listen to our interview with Greg Turchetta on Season 2 of the podcast: Winning at School Communications. Read the original research cited in this episode: A Seat at the Table, Who Speaks for Your Brand and Layers of Leadership. Learn more about us and subscribe to our newsletter at schoolceo.com. If you have a story you’d like to share with the SchoolCEO team, email me at eileen@schoolceo.com or schedule a call with me! Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo. SchoolCEO is powered by Apptegy; the maker of the leading K-12 communications and brand management platform. | |||
| I'm New Here | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:04:26 | |
Summary: We’re kicking off a brand new season with a fresh format. In this episode, we talk about how to cultivate a beginner’s mindset. Show Notes: Read Look Again by Tali Sharot and Cass R. Sunstein. Learn more about us and subscribe to our newsletter at schoolceo.com. If you have a story you’d like to share with us, email me at eileen@schoolceo.com or schedule a call with me! Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo. SchoolCEO is powered by Apptegy, the maker of the leading K-12 communications and brand management platform. | |||
| The Complete Guide to School Marketing: What is School Communications? | 15 Jul 2024 | 00:17:48 | |
How does effective communication shape your schools? What are the best practices to keep your community informed & to allow them to know that you’re listening to their concerns? Schools communicate all the time which means families are inundated with information, but schools need to listen to know what’s actually important to their families. In this episode, we’ll explore exactly how to engage with effective communication and the importance of listening to your community. Listen to hear from experts who provide insights into communication strategies, how to listen to your community, and the tools to shape a community's perceptions and expectations of a school. Featured in this episode are Jeff Horton, Lesley Bruinton, Greg Turchetta, and others. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Tim Doak: Building Business Connections in Rural Schools | 19 Jan 2021 | 00:29:18 | |
Superintendent Tim Doak knows that community partnerships are crucial to a successful school district. But in rural Maine, where school districts are often the largest employers in the area, how do you find comparable businesses to partner with? Doak, who was named Maine’s Superintendent of the Year in 2018, is attempting to answer that question, not just for one district, but for two. As superintendent of both Maine School Administrative District #20 and Eastern Aroostook RSU #39, he’s working hard to strengthen not only the districts themselves—but all of Aroostook County. Tim Doak (@DoakT) Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Kelli Joseph: Cutting the Budget in Three Years | 12 Jan 2021 | 00:20:00 | |
When Dr. Kelli Joseph began her superintendency at St. Helena Parish School District, she had her work cut out for her. The Louisiana district was facing a multitude of challenges, from a $1.5 million budget deficit to a desegregation order to a fight for local control. The problems looked almost insurmountable—but Joseph and her team were determined not only to solve them but to grow in the process. And that’s just what they did. Since Joseph’s start in 2011, St. Helena has passed two tax increases—the first in 20 years. They’ve boosted teacher pay by more than 25%, balanced their budget, and taken back their middle school from the Recovery School District. Now, Joseph is Louisiana’s current Superintendent of the Year. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Joseph about her dedication to progress in the midst of a crisis and how she and her team balanced cuts with growth. Dr. Kelli Joseph (@sthelenasupe) St. Helena Parish School District (sthpk-12.net) Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Carol Kelley: Dismantling Racism in Elementary School | 05 Jan 2021 | 00:34:22 | |
The issue of equity is baked into the history of Oak Park, Illinois. In the 1960s, neighborhoods around Oak Park faced "white flight" and resegregation when they attempted to integrate. But in 1968, the city passed a fair housing ordinance, outlawing discrimination in the housing market. The result, 50 years later, is an extremely diverse community, socially, economically, and racially. Its schools—including Oak Park Elementary School District 97—are no different. But diversity doesn’t always mean equity. Enter Dr. Carol Kelley, who has spent her career in education making sure every child gets a quality education. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kelley about the changes she’s made in Oak Park to promote a more equitable, anti-racist culture in the district. Dr. Carol Kelley (@drKforequity) Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (@OakPark97) To learn more about Dr. Kelley's work on equity at Oak Park 97, visit SchoolCEO.com/Kelley. Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Matt Baker: Boosting Enrollment in Rural Schools | 29 Dec 2020 | 00:30:40 | |
Since the first one-room schoolhouses popped up across the country, schools have been the center of rural America. School facilities are for more than just learning—they’re gathering places where people come together for fundraisers, athletic events, public forums, and more. And while rural schools are often left behind when it comes to education policy decisions, one out of every five public school students attends a rural school district. Clinton-Massie Local Schools in Clarksville, Ohio, defines itself as a “rural school district that takes pride in our strong sense of community.” It owes that vision in part to Superintendent Matt Baker, who has spent the last four years working to make Clinton-Massie a destination district for teachers and students. In this episode, we talk to Superintendent Baker about the unique challenges of the rural superintendency and how he’s using school marketing to put Clinton-Massie on the map. Clinton-Massie Local Schools (@CMFALCONS_NEWS) Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Ehren Jarrett: Signing Twenty New Teachers a Year | 22 Dec 2020 | 00:27:54 | |
We don’t have to tell you that education is facing a crisis: America just doesn’t have enough teachers. According to an Education Week analysis, all 50 states experienced statewide teacher shortages in at least one subject area in 2018, and 61% of superintendents indicated that they were having trouble finding great educators. It’s a difficult problem, one that we can’t solve overnight—but the solution might just be the kids sitting in your classrooms. At Rockford Public Schools in Illinois, Dr. Ehren Jarrett and his team are looking to build the next generation of teachers before they even leave high school. Partnering with their local university, they’ve created an education pathway that begins in middle school and ends with discounted college tuition, a guaranteed student teaching position in the district, and a steady teacher workforce for Rockford. In this episode, we talk about ways Rockford is increasing and diversifying its teaching force, whether through recruitment or—as Dr. Jarrett would say—”eating their own cooking” by developing new cohorts of students interested in education. Dr. Ehren Jarrett (@rps205super) Rockford Public Schools (@RPS205) You can read our study and advice on attracting millennial teachers to your district at www.schoolceo.com/teachers. Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. David Miyashiro: Bringing TED to School | 15 Dec 2020 | 00:32:49 | |
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 73% of people—nearly three out of every four—have anxiety about public speaking. Some studies even suggest that people are more afraid of speaking in front of a crowd than they are of dying. That fear doesn’t just make us uncomfortable; it limits us. Fear of public speaking cuts wages by 10% and inhibits promotion to management by 15%. At California’s Cajon Valley Union School District, Dr. David Miyashiro is working to make sure his students don’t face those limitations. Through a collaboration with TEDEd, he’s introducing public speaking skills into his district’s everyday curriculum, helping kids of all ages get comfortable on stage. In this episode, we talk with David Miyashiro about this exciting initiative, and how students are blossoming in the spotlight. Dr. David Miyashiro (@davidmiyashiro) Cajon Valley USD (@CajonValleyUSD) Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Jeffrey Collier: Writing Your District's Story | 08 Dec 2020 | 00:27:29 | |
Just along the shores of Michigan’s Lake Huron sits Au Gres-Sims School District. For some leaders, the district’s size—just two schools—might not seem to hold much opportunity. But Jeffrey Collier, who served as the district’s superintendent from 2012 to 2020, knew the district could be what he calls “the gold standard of education." By instituting what he calls a “communications buffet” to market the district’s unique strengths, he and his team put Au-Gres Sims on the proverbial map. And as Michigan underwent population declines and other demographic shifts, the district’s enrollment actually increased under Collier’s watch. This year, Collier switched gears, becoming superintendent of Saginaw Intermediate School District. Saginaw ISD isn’t a typical school district, it’s actually an educational service agency providing services, resources, and programs to 12 local school districts throughout the county. While his job looks a bit different today, Collier’s taking the lessons he learned about communication at Au-Gres Sims to boost Saginaw county’s profile as a whole. In this episode, we’ll talk to Superintendent Collier about school communications: why they matter, what they can achieve, and how to implement them effectively. Jeffery Collier (@JeffreyJCollier) Saginaw ISD (@SaginawISD) Check out how to build your own communication buffet at SchoolCEO.com/Buffet. Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Hollis Milton: The Speed of Trust | 01 Dec 2020 | 00:36:46 | |
When the COVID-19 pandemic first rocked the country in March, nearly every superintendent was thrown into the hardest decisions of their careers. How can you keep students safe while maintaining high standards of learning? And how can you get the community on board? Hollis Milton has spent the last nine months considering these questions. As superintendent of West Feliciana Parish Schools in Louisiana, he’s worked harder than ever: building bridges with the community, supporting teachers, prioritizing health, and even overcoming COVID-19 himself. In this episode, we talk with Superintendent Milton about his approach to the pandemic, and how to strengthen your community in a crisis. Hollis Milton (@WFPSB) West Feliciana Schools (@WestFELSchools) Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Baron Davis: Attracting Men of Color to Teaching | 01 Dec 2020 | 00:31:50 | |
Thinking back on your own experience in school, when was the first time you had a Black male teacher? If you’re like most Americans, you never did. We know that students perform better when they have teachers who look like them. According to a 2017 study from the Institute of Labor Economics, when low-income Black students have at least one Black teacher during elementary school, they’re less likely to drop out of high school—and more likely to be interested in college. But while Black kids make up roughly 15% of America’s K-12 student body, only 7% of teachers are Black. Just 2% are Black men. At Richland School District Two in Columbia, South Carolina, Dr. Baron Davis is working to change those statistics. Davis has been Richland Two’s superintendent for about four years—plus one year as superintendent elect—and throughout his tenure, he’s been working to recruit and retain male teachers of color. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Davis about his transformative work at Richland 2, from his ambitious Premier 100 initiative to recruit 100 men of color, to breaking down barriers to authenticity in the classroom. Dr. Baron Davis (@DrBaronDavis) Richland School District Two (@RichlandTwo) Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Lora de la Cruz: Redefining the Guidance Counselor | 01 Dec 2020 | 00:25:28 | |
Every year, around one in five kids in the U.S. experience mental, emotional or behavioral problems, from anxiety to depression to ADHD. But according to data from the CDC, only about 20% of those kids are getting the help they need. And those stats? They’re from before the COVID-19 pandemic began. In May, a Gallup poll asked parents how social distancing and school closures had affected their child. 29% said their child was "already experiencing harm" to their emotional or mental health. Now, even as some schools are open for in-person classes, kids may be facing continued anxiety about the pandemic and the readjustment process. When the pandemic closed Lake Oswego School District in Oregon, Dr. Lora de la Cruz knew she and her team had to rethink the role of the school counselor. In the face of COVID-19, kids didn’t need college recommendation letters and academic counseling as much as they needed mental and emotional support. In this episode, we’ll talk to Dr. de la Cruz about how she’s transforming counseling at Lake Oswego—and how she makes sure students know about those changes. When we connected with Dr. de la Cruz, Lake Oswego was dealing not only with the COVID-19 pandemic but also the 2020 Oregon wildfires. Dr. Lora de la Cruz (@DrLoradelaCruz1) Lake Oswego School District (@wearelosd) Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| The Complete Guide to School Marketing: What is School Marketing? | 12 Jun 2024 | 00:32:54 | |
What is marketing? How can you take the best marketing ideas from the private sector and implement them in your schools? Marketing has evolved over time to become more brand & identity focused. Having a strong set of values & consistent core messaging is the pathway to developing a strong marketing strategy. In this episode, we’ll explore exactly how marketing has changed and what you can do to strengthen your school’s identity. Listen to hear from experts who provide insights into marketing, branding, positioning, and storytelling to shape a community's perceptions and expectations of a school. Featured in this episode are Jack Trout, Dr. Carmen Simon, Dr. Jonah Berger, Neal Foard, and others. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Matthew Miller: Teaching the High School Entrepreneur | 01 Dec 2020 | 00:25:20 | |
College has become a culturally expected step in a student’s academic journey. In the US, an average of 66% of high school graduates go straight to college. But what about the other 34%? Not everyone can afford to go to college. Not everyone wants to. In fact, 33% of all young adults—about 10 million people 18 to 24—aren’t going to school. They’re working. But many find that their K-12 education didn’t prepare them for a life outside of school. A 2018 Gallup Poll of 1,500 adults nationwide found that only 5 percent of the respondents think high school graduates are “very prepared” to enter the workforce. Superintendent Matthew Miller is working to change that statistic. At Lakota Local Schools in Liberty Township, Ohio, he and his team are working to prepare every student for their post-high school pathway—whether that’s college, the military, the workforce, or even starting their own business. In this episode, we talk with Superintendent Miller about the options he’s creating for students and the unique and exciting ways Lakota sets them up for success. Matthew Miller (@LakotaSuper) Lakota Local Schools (@LakotaDistrict) Click here to learn more about the Lakota 4E Pathways. Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Susan Enfield: Leading With A Promise | 28 Nov 2020 | 00:24:51 | |
About ten miles south of Seattle sits a school district with a bold promise: to know each and every one of its students by name, strength, and need. This promise may seem hard to keep in an urban school system where the student body speaks over 100 languages, but Dr. Susan Enfield is making it happen. When she took the helm at Highline Public Schools in 2012, Dr. Enfield began working towards a seemingly impossible goal: virtually eliminating out-of-school suspensions. The year before she began, the district saw around 2,200 suspensions—most of them for students of color. In 2019, there were just 940—out of more than 19,000 students. But what Enfield calls the Highline Promise is about more than just discipline reform. It’s about seeing every child’s gifts and making them feel welcome in their school community. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Enfield not just about how that promise informs their discipline changes but also how it guides every person and decision in the district. Dr. Susan Enfield (@SuptEnfield) Highline Schools (@HighlineSchools) Check out more about Dr. Enfield's work on Equity at schoolceo.com/enfield. Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for more advice, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at editor@schoolceo.com. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| The Complete Guide to School Marketing: What is Brand? | 06 Jun 2024 | 00:16:31 | |
Every great school district’s heart lies in its identity What is the identity of your district? What is it known for? What is uniquely true about your schools? Your district’s identity is made up of its values, strengths, and culture. These, along with your community’s direct interactions with your district, ultimately shape your community’s perception and reputation of your brand. School marketing begins and ends with establishing a brand that is true to itself and delivers a consistent experience to students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and the larger community. In this episode, you’ll be reminded why your district’s brand should be of paramount importance to you as a school leader. Listen to hear from experts who provide insights into branding, positioning, marketing, and storytelling to shape community perceptions and expectations of a school. Featured in this episode are Laura Ries, Dr. Julie Sweetland, Dr. Pete Hannigan, Dr. Jonah Berger, Karen Eber, Neal Foard, and others. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| The Complete Guide to School Marketing: Intro to Season 3 | 03 Jun 2024 | 00:17:08 | |
School marketing has gone from a rarity to a necessity for public schools. From public opinion to family engagement, capturing and keeping the attention of your school community is a must to leading and running a successful school district. In each episode of Season 3, SchoolCEO explores some of the most important and foundational concepts to change how others think and feel about your schools. We talk to experts, share stories along the way, and equip you with a framework that can help you build a strong, thriving identity for your district. Welcome to Season 3! In this introductory episode, you’ll get a taste for how season 3 is different from our past seasons. You’ll also get a sneak peek into how storytelling can transform a community and how you can learn as much from another industry about your job as you can from within K-12. Featured in this episode are Michael C. Bush, Neel Doshi, Margaret Heffernen, and Joe Sanfelippo, Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| School Marketing Insights: SchoolCEO Conversations Season 2 Recap | 07 Mar 2024 | 00:39:49 | |
In Season 2 of the SchoolCEO podcast we have had some of the brightest school leaders tell us about their work, inspiration, and strategies. Along the way, experts in influence, storytelling, culture building, hiring, and more from outside of K-12 have joined in to share additional perspectives. We’ve curated some of the very best comments and insights on how to build a high performing culture, the best way to reach your community, working with and across different generations, becoming a great leader, and how to hire teachers and staff. These insightful segments come from some of the most popular and most shared episodes.
Links to the full SchoolCEO Conversations Episodes: E65: Neel Doshi E66: Jeff Mayo E70: Jonah Berger E72: Dr. Jeffrey Collier & Coty Kuchinsky E73: Julie Lythcott-Haims E76: Karen Eber E77: Jennifer Hines E78: Donald Killingbeck E80: Aurora Meyer E82: EDU Openings E84: Melissa Thompson E86: Michael C. Bush E89: Debbie Critchfield E90: Margaret Heffernan E91: Dr. Joe Sanfelippo E92: Andrew McPeak E94: Kim Lear E96: Paul Coakley E97: Greg Turchetta Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer: Growing and Supporting Women Superintendents | 12 Feb 2024 | 00:46:21 | |
In this episode, Dr. Rafal-Baer discusses her work in addressing the gender gap in education leadership and various initiatives such as the Forum for Educational Leadership and Women Leading ED, a national network of women education leaders she founded. She also highlights the importance of supporting current and aspiring education leaders, providing comprehensive project management and implementation support, and creating a powerful network to promote gender equality at the top of education systems. You can learn more about the ILO Group and Dr. Rafal-Baer’s work at https://www.ilogroup.com/. You can learn more about Women Leading Ed at https://www.womenleadinged.org/. You can learn more about the Forum for Educational Leadership at https://www.tffel.com/. You can also follow Dr. Rafal-Baer on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @juliarafalbaer. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Greg Turchetta: Winning at School Communications | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:54:39 | |
In this episode of SchoolCEO Conversations, we speak with Greg Turchetta, the Senior Chief Communications Officer for the Richland Two School District in South Carolina. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of storytelling, how every school staff member can contribute to your district’s story, and the power of transparency in schools. Greg and his team are responsible for district-wide communication, marketing, media relations, and strategic partnership management for the 29,000 student school district. Before he began his K-12 career, Greg spent 4 years as Executive Director of Marketing and Media for Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Florida were he executed a half million dollar brand campaign. Then, before even that, Greg had an award-winning 21-year television news career where he spent 12 of those years managing newsgathering efforts in some of the most prestigious newsrooms across the country including in Fort Myers, Atlanta, Orlando, Seattle, and Austin.
Follow Richland Two School District at https://twitter.com/RichlandTwo and Greg Turchetta at https://twitter.com/NewsBoss
Main Discussion Points: - How every school staff member can contribute to storytelling and branding [00:31:54] - Using social media and websites to share the "extraordinary" stories happening daily in schools that the public doesn't see [00:41:34] - De-escalation training for teachers as a teacher retention strategy to deal with difficult parent confrontations [00:51:23] - Creating an "environment that's more Ritz Carlton than it is DMV" for families [00:42:18]
Quotes: “Our job is to move the needle and to move it fast, because honestly, in the education space, there's no time to waste.” [05:38] “Transparency has to be your calling card. You have to do it at all cost. You cannot no comment things. The public takes that as an implied guilt.” [13:20] “If parents are that fickle, that means we're doing a horrible job of proving the quality of what we do every day.” [41:37] “Deescalation training is probably one of the best things you can do for teachers right now to keep them in your building.” [51:30] “Urgency and quality. You have to use urgency to prove the quality of your district. You don't have time anymore.” [52:25] Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Paul Coakley: Lessons for School Leaders | 10 Jan 2024 | 00:58:13 | |
In this episode of SchoolCEO Conversations, we speak with Dr. Paul Coakley, the Superintendent of Multnomah ESD in Oregon. Dr. Coakley has spent a lifetime as an educator and as a school administrator. He shares how he united a community to pass the first successful bond in nearly two decades. He also shares his insights on the importance of leaving a legacy, building a personal brand, and knowing when to transition in your career. Dr. Coakley discusses topics such as: how to brand yourself effectively to gain community trust, when the right time to pass on the leadership baton is, the importance of knowing your “WHY” as a leader, and so much more. Dr. Paul Coakley has over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, human resources director, and superintendent and is currently the Superintendent of the Multnomah Education Service District (ESD) in Oregon. Dr. Coakley holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and recently published his memoir, "A Reason for Every Season: Memoirs of a Black Superintendent” which we discuss in this episode. You can pick up your copy of “A Reason for Every Season: Memoirs of a Black Superintendent” from Amazon or Barnes & Noble Main Discussion Points: Shifting Your Why Over Time (04:43) Building Relationships to Lead an Organization (21:11) Making Difficult Decisions as a Leader (29:46) When to Transition in Your Career (40:40) Advice for Superintendents Feeling Isolated (53:53) Key Quotes: “One of the most important things for all school leaders and educators in general is to know your why and to understand what it is.” (02:44) “If we are constantly working and we don’t make time for ourselves, we actually are less effective than when we’re rested.” (26:06) “One of the things that I always say is the way you measure a healthy culture is: it’s how long does it take for a group of people to stop talking about a problem and start addressing it?” (48:05) Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Julie Sweetland: Strategic Framing for Schools | 28 Dec 2023 | 00:56:24 | |
In this episode of SchoolCEO Conversations we speak with Julie Sweetland, a sociolinguist and senior advisor at the Frameworks Institute. She shares how leaders and advocates can use strategic framing and communications to have more productive conversations around complex issues. You’ll learn practical strategies for framing issues, understanding different audiences and viewpoints, avoiding common communications pitfalls, and making conversations with your community more constructive. Julie Sweetland, Ph.D. (@jsw33ts) serves as a senior advisor at the FrameWorks Institute, a nonprofit organization that studies how issues are framed in public conversations and how that impacts outcomes. She has over a decade of experience in education as a teacher, instructional designer and teacher educator focused on issues of language, race, learning and professional development. Julie holds an MA and PhD in Linguistics from Stanford University. FrameWorks has a number of valuable, actionable resources on their website including these:
Main Discussion Points: Key Quotes: Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Kim Lear: Understanding & Decoding Generations | 13 Dec 2023 | 01:02:50 | |
Generational researcher Kim Lear re-joins SchoolCEO on the podcast to discuss how you can better understand and communicate with the different generations that make up your school community—from students to teachers to parents to members within the community.. Learn about the key events and cultural shifts that have shaped each generation along with their communication preferences. Join this conversation and learn about: - Understanding the societal events and cultural moods that shape each generation’s values and perspectives (00:06:21) - How baby boomers are aging differently with more vibrancy, energy and tech adoption (00:11:44) - The rise of skepticism and desire for transparency among Gen X (00:14:39) - How overwhelmed and anxious millennial parents feel about “doing what’s right” for their kids (00:18:23) - Communication preferences for reaching different generations (00:27:55) - Delivering feedback that motivates (instead of paralyzes) (00:42:00) - Being clear about desired outcomes when gathering input to avoid mismatched expectations (00:35:11) - Fostering mentor relationships by spotting potential and proving yourself as a mentee (00:46:57) - And so much more About Kim Lear: Kim Lear is a writer and researcher who explores how emerging trends impact the future of our workforce and marketplace. She is known for her ability to use a mix of data, storytelling, humor, and actionable takeaways to discuss the trends that most impact the bottom line of organizations. Previously, Kim was the content director at a research firm dedicated to generational and Millennials trends. Her undergrad research is around Baby Boomers and longevity. Her post-grad work is around Millennials and social media networks. Kim has written whitepapers on the topics of generational wealth transfer in the finance sector, retirement trends in the hospitality industry, and Gen Z’s impact on higher education. A researcher to the very core, Kim employs eye-opening statistics to accentuate her points and mixes them with stories and case studies to make her message come alive. She is a sought-after expert and has been featured on NPR as well as national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, USA Today, TIME Magazine and more. Kim is currently in her fifth year of a longitudinal study on leadership. You can follow Kim Lear on X/Twitter @KimLear or subscribe to her exceptional newsletter "Kids These Days." Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| The Complete Guide to School Marketing: Season 3 Recap | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:19:41 | |
This season, we've taken a deep dive into school marketing, exploring everything from brand to digital experience. Today, we're connecting all the pieces and providing you with actionable steps to transform how your community thinks and feels about your schools. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Peter Hannigan: Communicating to Different Generations | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:51:45 | |
Dr. Pete Hannigan, Superintendent of Hawthorn School District 73, and Samantha Cook, Communications Director, discuss generational differences in the workplace, effective communication strategies to engage their community, and the importance of strong school culture. Join a light-hearted conversation with practical suggestions about bridging generational divides, leveraging social media, and creating a positive school experience. Follow Hawthorn 73 at https://twitter.com/District_73 and Dr. Hannigan at https://twitter.com/petehannigan And be sure to check out the latest Hannigan's Shenanigan video here. About Dr. Peter Hannigan Dr. Peter Hannigan is an accomplished educational leader with a strong commitment to ensuring quality education for all. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration, an Educational Specialist degree, and a Master of Science in Education, all from Northern Illinois University. He began his career as an elementary school teacher, and his passion for education led him to assume various leadership roles. Dr. Hannigan's administrative experience includes serving as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the Schaumburg Consolidated Community School District 54. In this role, he oversaw a district with 15,000 students and 28 schools. Prior to that, he held principal positions at schools ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade. As the Superintendent of Hawthorn School District 73, Dr. Hannigan is dedicated to the mission of 'Ensuring learning for all.' He leads a diverse student population of approximately 4,200 students across nine schools, providing equitable opportunities and a world-class, whole-child education. Hawthorn District 73 has earned recognition for its academic and extracurricular achievements, including National Blue Ribbon Awards and the 'Whole Child Award' from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
About Samantha Cook Samantha Cook is the Communications Specialist at Hawthorn School District, responsible for overseeing communications for all nine elementary schools within the district. She plays a vital role in supporting the District's mission through effective internal and external communications, including the creation of impactful videos for Hawthorn School District as a key component of her work. With a background as a former television reporter specializing in delivering stories on education, Samantha brings a wealth of media expertise to her current role. She holds a degree in communications from DePaul University. As a Communications Specialist, Samantha values families and believes in fostering a love for education. She is passionate about ensuring that Hawthorn students receive a quality education while forming meaningful, impactful relationships with the amazing teachers in the district. Samantha is a proud bilingual Black Latina. Her goals goals include showcasing students' achievements, celebrating the district's dedicated staff, and fostering a sense of community among parents and community members. With her dedication and creative communication skills, she plays a crucial role in making Hawthorn School District a welcoming and vibrant educational community.
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| Andrew McPeak: Preparing Students for Real Life | 16 Nov 2023 | 01:04:05 | |
Andrew McPeak is a millennial speaker and Vice President of Content for Growing Leaders. His experiences as a researcher, speaker, and content designer have led him to become well versed in communicating to and about the next generation. In this conversation, he discusses Generation Z and how educators can better prepare their students for real life. As part of a mini-series on generations, Andrew explores how school leaders can think critically about what is best for students today and beyond their K-12 years. Andrew is the author of Ready for Real Life: Unpacking the Five Essential Soft Skills Great Leaders Instill in Their Students and the co-author of Generation Z: Unfiltered. Both books are practical and academic— or as he puts it “prac-ademic.” This episode is centered on students and yet still highlights an opportunity for school leaders to market their schools to their community from parents to businesses as they prepare students for the right soft skills to be successful in real life. Follow Andrew McPeak on X/Twitter here and learn more about him, his writing, and the Growing Leaders organization here: https://readyforreallifebook.com/ Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Joe Sanfelippo: Changing the Narrative | 30 Oct 2023 | 00:57:14 | |
In this conversation with SchoolCEO, Dr. Sanfelippo discusses how he changed the narrative within his school district, keys to culture, and how to lead authentically. Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is a frequent keynote speaker at education conferences around the country because of his passion, energy, and experience. He spent the last 12 years as the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI. The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education. He co-authored The Power of Branding-Telling Your School's Story, Principal Professional Development: Leading Learning in a Digital Age and Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students and Parents Love. As mentioned in the interview, you can watch Dr. Sanfelippo’s 1 Minute Walk to Work on YouTube. Dr. Sanfelippo was selected as 1 of 117 Future Ready Superintendents in 2014 and 1 of 50 Superintendents as a Personalized Learning Leader in 2016 by the US Department of Education. He attended summits at the White House for both distinctions. Education Dive named Joe 1 of 5 K-12 administrators to watch in 2018 and their National Superintendent of the Year in 2019. He has been a featured speaker in multiple states in the areas of Advancing the Use of Social Media for School Leaders, Telling Your School Story, Creating a Culture of Yes, and Personalized Professional Growth for Staff. Go Crickets!! Joe holds a BA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from St. Norbert College, a MS in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a MS in Educational Leadership, and a PhD in Leadership, Learning, and Service from Cardinal Stritch University. Joe is also an adjunct professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Viterbo University. Joe has taught Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and 5th Grade. He was also a school counselor and high school coach prior to taking on an elementary principal position in 2005. He has served as a principal in suburban and rural Wisconsin. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Margaret Heffernan: The Big Impact of Small Changes | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:51:45 | |
Join one of the best episodes of Season 2 with author, CEO and TED speaker Margaret Heffernan. This episode can help any school leader that is looking to better drive change, build a stronger culture, and ultimately to build the best possible district and school.
Key Quotes & Timestamps "What truly changes organizations are small choices made by everyone." [00:04:04] "Collaboration often requires constructive conflict and debate to reach the best ideas." [00:07:21] "Taking 5 minutes to talk to somebody before or after a meeting can really help you get to know people in the round." [00:29:40] "The teacher or executive that takes a personal interest in somebody - it is probably the most potent tool they have." [00:40:11] Guest Bio: Dr. Margaret Heffernan produced programs for the BBC for 13 years. She then moved to the U.S. where she spearheaded multimedia productions for Intuit, The Learning Company and Standard & Poors. She was Chief Executive of InfoMation Corporation, ZineZone Corporation and then iCast Corporation, was named one of the “Top 25” by Streaming Media magazine and one of the “Top 100 Media Executives” by The Hollywood Reporter. The author of six books, Margaret’s third book, Willful Blindness : Why We Ignore the Obvious at our Peril was named one of the most important business books of the decade by the Financial Times. In 2015, she was awarded the Transmission Prize for A Bigger Prize: Why Competition isn’t Everything and How We Do Better, described as “meticulously researched…engagingly written…universally relevant and hard to fault.” Her TED talks have been seen by over 13 million people and in 2015 TED published Beyond Measure: The Big Impact of Small Changes. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Debbie Critchfield: The Power of School Communications | 29 Sep 2023 | 00:43:50 | |
Debbie Critchfield joins SchoolCEO and shares her experience in school communications and her current role as the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Idaho. If you’re an avid listener, you know that SchoolCEO so often goes deep into organizational culture and how you can craft effective communication that reaches your intended audience. This episode combines those two topics as we dive deeper into internal communication and explore:
Debbie Critchfield was sworn in as Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction on January 2, 2023. She previously served for seven years on the Idaho State Board of Education and was appointed to education task forces by Governors Brad Little and Butch Otter. Debbie served as an elected school board member in Cassia County for ten years and was on the executive committee of the Idaho School Boards Association. She is a former local library trustee and Oakley Valley Arts Council president. She worked as the public information officer for Cassia School District for nine years. Debbie and her husband Dave live in Oakley, where they raised their four children. They have three grandsons. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Scott M. Curran: Impact Storytelling | 13 Sep 2023 | 00:55:37 | |
In this episode of SchoolCEO Conversations, we speak with Scott Curran, an expert in impact storytelling. He discusses what impact storytelling is, how it can engage and inspire staff, bring communities together, and help nonprofits and schools alike achieve their missions. Listeners will learn practical frameworks for crafting stories and be inspired to craft their own stories. Join this conversation to learn more about:
Scott counsels leaders of social enterprises in developing social impact strategies, growing organizational capacity, and creating projects, programs, and partnerships that achieve measurable results. Scott founded Beyond Advisers to work with social innovators, nonprofits, philanthropists, governments, and private sector leaders to design and build their organizations and initiatives for impact. He teaches and lectures on the role of lawyers in social innovation, advises law schools in developing social impact clinical practices, and consults with law firms to develop social impact practice groups. Crain’s Chicago Business called the class he teaches one of “the coolest classes for law students.” Prior to starting Beyond Advisers, Scott served as General Counsel for the Clinton Foundation. During a decade of service to the Clinton Foundation, Scott established, grew, and led the legal team that supported a global operating charity with over 2,000 staff and volunteers working in 36 countries on more than a dozen initiatives. Scott led the team of in-house professionals and outside firms that created the organizational and operational structures that supported the Clinton Foundation’s board, enterprise systems, and program teams during their most prolonged and intensive period of growth. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Tom Burton: How Superintendents Can Think Differently | 29 Aug 2023 | 00:41:04 | |
Tom Burton has been an educator for 35 years including as a superintendent and associate superintendent for a total of 8 years at Princeton City Schools in Ohio. In July 2023, he retired and shared his insights and expertise with SchoolCEO. Follow him on X/Twitter at @TBurton_Empower In addition to this episode, you can watch Tom Burton’s TEDx talks. Watch “Sometimes the Apple Bounces” about breaking the cycle of poverty and “Finding Resolutions: Questions the Answers” about developing the mindset to confront ourselves and make progress. - Leaders need to challenge the status quo and get comfortable with dissent and disagreement to spark new thinking. Ask "why" repeatedly to dig deeper. - Model the behaviors and mindsets you want to see. Consistency between beliefs and actions builds culture. - Stay positive and solution-focused. Don't let setbacks derail you. Reflect but don't dwell on mistakes. - Implement programs and changes systematically. Evaluate frequently and course correct. - Collaboration and transparency lead to better ideas and outcomes. Value all voices. - Gratitude and recognition motivate teams. Look for authentic ways to say thanks. Want more from SchoolCEO? Subscribe for free to our newsletter! We’ll send you ideas to get you thinking, resources you can use within your schools, and share original research that is published exclusively in SchoolCEO magazine. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Michael C. Bush: Learning To Be A Great Place To Work | 09 Aug 2023 | 01:04:39 | |
One of the most explored topics at SchoolCEO magazine in our research, interviews, and perspectives is employee culture. Our original research on teacher satisfaction (February 2023) looked at 1,000s of teachers from more than 300 districts to find out what they want in a job, how they find opportunities, and more. And in 2019, we published the largest study of its kind on millennial teacher recruitment and retention in schools. About Michael C. Bush: Michael C. Bush is CEO of Great Place To Work, the global research and analytics firm that produces the annual Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, the World’s Best Workplaces list, the 100 Best Workplaces for Women list, and dozens of other distinguished workplace rankings around the world. Driven by a love of business and an unwavering commitment to fair and equitable treatment, Michael joined Great Place To Work as CEO in 2015, bringing 30 years of experience leading and growing organizations. This includes serving as CEO of Tetra Tech Communications, which he grew from $40 million to $300 million in revenue. Michael is a former member of President Obama’s White House Business Council and a founding board member of the private equity seed-fund, Fund Good Jobs, which invests in small inner-city businesses. Michael was a member of the Board of Directors at Workday, Inc. until September 2021 when Great Place To Work was acquired by UKG, Inc. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Neal Foard: Storytelling From The Heart | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:45:42 | |
Neal Foard has spent 25 years in advertising and marketing, creating award winning campaigns for global power brands like Budweiser, Lexus and Sony. Most recently, Neal has gained a following on social media for his inspirational videos about the better side of everyday people. You can find more of his stories on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nealfoard For his work on Toyota, Neal ranked among the top ten most awarded creative directors in the world in 2002. As the author of an innovative coaching series, Neal was named Worldwide Director of Creative Learning for global ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi. He has consulted on creative messaging for Fortune 500 companies and universities and been a featured speaker at TEDx conferences. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Melissa Thompson: How to Onboard Board Members | 12 Jul 2023 | 00:40:18 | |
Dr. Melissa Thompson explores how she built an onboarding program for school board members that prepares potential board members to serve. Her work and onboarding system also gives board members-elect the information, context, and tools necessary to start their positions well. In this practical episode, superintendents and school board presidents will learn how to truly develop their board members to benefit their entire school community. Dr. Melissa Thompson is the former superintendent of Swallow School District in Wisconsin where she served for 12 years. Dr. Melissa Thompson now serves as the Director of Education Strategy at PRA (Plunkett Raysich Architects) following 25 years in the field of education. A twelve-year veteran of the superintendency, during Dr. Thompson’s tenure at the Swallow School District accolades from the Wisconsin Department of Instruction included being the Top Scoring District on state report cards (2020-21), the top score in the state for eight-grade mathematics achievement (2018-19), and being one of eight schools statewide to earn recognition as both a High Progress and High Achieving Title I School (2014-15) along with School Health and three Promising Practices Character Education awards. The district was also named a National Blue Ribbon School in the Closing the Gaps category (2016) by the U.S. Department of Education. During this same period, significant Long Range Planning efforts coupling Strategic Planning and Master Planning efforts lead to the passage of an $8.3M referendum in 2018 with all project facets completed on time and under budget. Communications campaigns and community engagement during the pre-referendum and design processes earned state and national recognition with ongoing School Board workshops and community engagement around the district’s finances and nexus with school funding in Wisconsin. Dr. Thompson is a frequent presenter at conferences, facilitator of strategic planning efforts for school districts and organizations, mentor to aspiring and new administrators, search consultant for districts seeking new superintendents, and member and past President of the Hartland-Lake Country Rotary Club where she was also named Rotarian of the Year. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| The Complete Guide to School Marketing: How to Create Brand Advocates | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:16:57 | |
In this episode we’ll discuss how to create advocates for your schools. First, you have to focus your attention toward people who can actually be converted. Second, you have to wow them with intention and thoughtfulness. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dale Scott: An Insider’s Guide to School Bonds | 27 Jun 2023 | 00:55:09 | |
Join SchoolCEO Conversations in an interview with Dale Scott on practical advice and smart thinking about how to set up your next bond to succeed. Dale Scott is the President of DS&C in San Francisco, which has provided municipal advisory and election consulting services for California schools and community colleges for over 35 years. Consistently ranking among the top municipal advisors in California, Dale and his team have helped hundreds of school districts address their funding challenges. Dale is widely viewed within the bond industry as one of its most innovative thinkers. In partnership with Jefferson Union High School District (San Mateo County), he created the nation’s first voter-approved general obligation bond to construct below-market rental housing for teachers and staff in the district. This unique approach went on to receive Bond Buyer’s Small-Issuer Deal of the Year award in 2018. Dale and his team have also received Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business award, given to companies that have had a “superlative impact on their industries, their communities, the environment, and society as a whole.” In 2022, Inc. Magazine also named DS&C one of the 5000 fastest-growing private businesses in the United States. Dale holds two patents from the United States Patent and Trademarks Office for debt financing mechanisms. He is the author of Win-Win: An Insider’s Guide to School Bonds. He has appeared before numerous taxpayer organizations and statewide school district symposiums as a frequent guest speaker on school district finance and elections. Dale holds degrees from San Francisco State University and Harvard University. Learn more about Dale Scott & Co. here. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| EduOpenings: Helping Educators Discover Jobs | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:52:07 | |
Visit EduOpenings.com to post jobs within your schools and/or find new opportunities for yourself and others. SchoolCEO speaks with two educators from St. Louis who founded the website EduOpenings.com. The platform helps districts find and attract educators to their schools AND makes it easier for those same educators to find new opportunities within K-12. Dr. Howard Fields is an Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources in St. Louis County. He’s also an award-winning leader, author, creator, and adjunct professor. Follow Dr. Fields on Twitter at @HeFields3 Dr. Darryl Diggs Jr. is an educator and advocate for diversity and inclusion in education with over 15 years of experience. In his current role as Director of Equity, Dr. Diggs oversees the district’s DEI initiatives, which include professional development for staff, training for students, and support for all St. Louis County school districts. Follow Dr. Diggs on Twitter at @Achievement4ALL Learn more about SchoolCEO's resources and research on recruitment & retention here. SchoolCEO Conference also dives deep into employee culture and reaching teachers and staff of all generations. Learn more about SchoolCEO Conference here. (1:08) Episode Intro (3:20) Dr. Howard Fields Intro (4:30) Dr. Darryl Diggs Intro (6:10) About EduOpenings (9:25) Creating A Better Job Search (11:30) The Role of A.I. & Analytics (13:40) Teachers & Private Sector Jobs (16:15) Diversity & Recruitment (16:55) Research Into Teacher Recruitment (18:50) Pivotal Career Moments (25:25) Word Of Mouth (31:00) Creating Better Job Descriptions (37:00) Active Recruiting (44:00) Recruiting Is Competitive (47:30) How You Can Use EduOpenings (50:49) Outro & Credits Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Carmen Simon: Impossible to Ignore - Capturing Attention | 31 May 2023 | 00:47:07 | |
Have you ever noticed a gap between what people say they will do and what they actually do after you talk to them? How do you know if you’re sharing stories people will remember and act on? Are all stories memorable and actionable? As a superintendent, principal, or communications director you want to be both memorable and credible. To become true leaders and influence others’ actions, you must ask: What makes a story memorable? And what is the optimal amount of narrative to use when you speak about technical and complex content? Dr. Carmen Simon, Ph.D., is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, cognitive neuroscientist, and renowned keynote speaker for sales and marketing audiences. Carmen offers a groundbreaking approach to creating memorable messages that are easy to process, hard to forget, and impossible to ignore―using the latest in brain science. Dr. Simon is the author of Impossible to Ignore: Creating Memorable Content to Influence Decisions. You can find Dr. Simon on Twitter at @areyoumemorable and read her book on Amazon or at Bookshop.org Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Aurora Meyer: Crafting Meaningful Connections | 09 May 2023 | 00:40:04 | |
In this conversation Aurora Meyer at Columbia Public Schools in Missouri explains and explores a different approach to their district communications including rethinking the role of social media, the value of print communication, and promoting the very best of your schools with the larger community. We discuss the importance of establishing a connection over specific data and metrics. Aurora Meyer is the President of the Mid-Missouri PRSA chapter, APR Chair for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) St. Louis Chapter and previously served as the Mid-State Director for the Missouri School Public Relations Association. She currently serves as the Communications Manager for Columbia Public Schools. Over her 19-year career, Aurora has developed an impressive track record of increasing both the size and engagement of relevant audiences and campaign outcomes by using analytics to guide strategic decision-making. She is recognized by her industry peers with multiple awards for social media strategy and campaigns in addition to a MarCom Gold award in 2019 and several National School Public Relations Association awards for her work in 2020 and 2021. Aurora is a regular speaker and workshop presenter on campaign analysis, social strategy, community engagement, crisis communication and analytics. A PRSA-accredited public relations professional, Aurora is entitled to use the APR professional designation. Follow Aurora Meyer on Twitter at @aurorameyer Subscribe to SchoolCEO Newsletter at https://www.schoolceo.com/subscribe-now/ for more strategies on communication, newsletters, and more. The article Where Social Media Falls Short from the Summer 2022 edition of SchoolCEO pairs nicely with this episode. Read it and more here. Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter @school_CEO
Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Deborah Gist: Creating Radical Collaboration within Your School District | 28 Apr 2023 | 00:36:20 | |
Dr. Deborah Gist’s education career spans from the elementary classroom to being listed in 2010 as one of the 100 Most Influential People. She served as the first State Superintendent of Education for Washington, D.C. and then as Commissioner of Education for the State of Rhode Island. Read SchoolCEO’s article featuring Dr. Gist in January 2021 here. Today Dr. Gist leads Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma, which has recently become the largest district in the state. During Superintendent Gist’s tenure, the district has seen sustained increases in high school graduation rates, novice teacher retention, employee engagement, and the percentage of students meeting projected reading and math growth. Tulsa Public Schools has expanded its dual language programming, opened the only three public Montessori programs in the state, implemented the Seal of Biliteracy for high school students demonstrating proficiency in at least two languages, launched a unified enrollment system, and successfully passed a five-year $415 million bond that will transform teaching and learning experiences across the city. Follow Dr. Gist on Twitter at @deborahgist and Tulsa Public Schools at @TulsaSchools. Subscribe to SchoolCEO Newsletter at https://www.schoolceo.com/subscribe-now/ for more strategies on leadership, influence, and collaboration. Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter @school_CEO Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Dr. Donald Killingbeck: Building Your Brand with LinkedIn | 18 Apr 2023 | 00:55:59 | |
Dr. Don Killingbeck, aka "The Gladiator," is an educational leader with a wealth of experience from classroom teacher to the superintendency. He boasts advanced degrees in educational tech and leadership from Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Central Michigan University. In addition to educational research, Don has co-authored a children's book about teamwork and resilience called Warriors of Widgeon Way and has co-authored 43 Ways to Be Less Lame as an Educator, and has another book in the pipeline about school finance. When he is not leading his school district (Hemlock Public School District) or making people laugh, in his spare time, he enjoys being a professional beard judge and a world-class jump roper. Dr. Killingbeck mentions 43 Ways to Be Less Lame at the end of the episode. You can find the book and other “Less lame” content at: https://www.lesslame.org/ Follow Dr. Killingbeck on LinkedIn to read the stories he’s sharing for yourself. Learn more about Hemlock Public School District at https://www.hemlock.k12.mi.us/ or on Twitter at @hemlockps Subscribe to SchoolCEO Newsletter at https://www.schoolceo.com/subscribe-now/ for more strategies on leadership, influence, and marketing. Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter @school_CEO Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Jennifer Hines: Making the Media Work for Your Schools | 31 Mar 2023 | 00:51:49 | |
Jennifer Hines is the Chief Communications Officer for Tyler ISD. She is a communications strategist, writer, podcast host, and mentor. An award-winning journalist and news anchor, Jennifer spent 20 years in the media business, most recently at KLTV, before switching to School Public Relations in 2019. She has dealt with everything from the name change of the district’s two flagship high schools in record time and COVID-19 to, most recently, a bond election. In May 2022, Jennifer helped her district pass an $89M bond package. Read about Tyler ISD’s bus driver campaign in Vehicles for Change in SchoolCEO magazine Follow Jennifer on Twitter @jennifer_hines and Tyler ISD @TylerISD Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter @school_CEO More about Jennifer Hines: Jennifer recently received a gold award from the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) for her Tyler ISD Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Plan. It was recognized for its innovative approach to engaging with the community and improving communication with parents, students, staff, and the community. In addition, she won two silver awards, one for writing and one for a published news release or feature. Jennifer has been recognized by the Texas AP Broadcaster's Association for her spot news, features, and health stories. In 2007, Jennifer's story on Central Catholic Elementary's chess team in Corpus Christi won an award for Best Feature. While working in Austin, she was part of a team selected by the USC Annenberg School of Communication as winners of a Regional Edward R. Murrow award for Best Continuing Coverage and a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism. The University of Texas in Austin is Jennifer's alma mater, where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and minored in Business. The College of Communication's Journalism program is among the country's most highly respected journalism programs. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Karen Eber: How Storytelling Can Shape School Culture | 15 Mar 2023 | 00:53:25 | |
Karen Eber is global leadership consultant and keynote speaker. Her talk on TED.com: How your brain responds to stories – and why they’re crucial for leaders has 2 million views. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps companies build leaders, teams, and culture, one story at a time. Karen works with Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Facebook, Kraft Heinz, Kate Spade, and Microsoft. She guest lectures at universities including the London School of Business, MIT, and Stanford. She is a former Head of Culture, Chief Learning Officer and Head of Leadership Development at General Electric and Deloitte and is a frequent contributor to Fast Company. Join a conversation about:
Follow Karen Eber on Twitter at @kareneber1 or visit her website: https://www.kareneber.com/ Subscribe to SchoolCEO Newsletter at https://www.schoolceo.com/subscribe-now/ for more strategies on leadership, influence, and marketing. Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/school_ceo Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| William Parker of Principal Matters: What Matters Most | 28 Feb 2023 | 00:49:15 | |
William D. Parker is the host of Principal Matters, a popular podcast and blog for building leaders. With more than 300 episodes, a decade of writing, and three published books, he offers open and honest dialogues about the challenges and opportunities that principals face around school culture, leadership and communication. We discuss how superintendents and principals can work better together, the shared experience of leading others, and how together school leaders can play offense to help everyone in their schools win by celebrating the successes within their organizations. Will currently serves as executive director of Oklahoma’s Association of Secondary Principals and Oklahoma’s Middle Level Educator Association. His solutions and strategies can help education leaders motivate students, inspire teachers, and reach their communities. Learn more about Will on his website here: https://williamdparker.com/ and be sure to listen in and subscribe to Principal Matters on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Learn more about SchoolCEO’s work, magazine, podcast, and other resources here: https://www.schoolceo.com/ Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Jamie Vollmer: Increasing Support for Schools | 09 Feb 2023 | 01:01:30 | |
Decades ago Jamie Vollmer’s career was transformed when he was invited to speak to a group of teachers. His three big assumptions about what is wrong with schools were turned upside down. The result of that presentation and Jamie’s willingness to change his mind is a lesson for everyone. Since that day Jamie has gone on to present and entertain tens of thousands of educators, board members, parents, and community leaders from coast to coast. His enthusiastic defense of public education, educators, and superintendents has been praised. He is insistent and confident that schools cannot do it alone. In particular, Jamie provides insights that can help school leaders change the false narratives that persist about public education. Toward the end of the episode, Jamie Vollmer presents two frameworks to help schools shift the conversation within their schools and in their communities: the first framework is “every day evidence” and the second is “The Five S’s.” The Five S’s
We also discuss the importance of brand representation by teachers and staff, and cite SchoolCEO’s research from January 2022 on Who Speaks for Your Brand. Learn more about Jamie Vollmer’s work and presentations here: https://www.jamievollmer.com/ Learn more about SchoolCEO’s work, magazine, podcast, and other resources here: https://www.schoolceo.com/ Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| The Complete Guide to School Marketing: How to Communicate in a Crisis | 21 Feb 2025 | 00:24:16 | |
It’s time to address the elephant in the room: crisis communications. Crises are unavoidable. As a district comms professional, your role is pivotal to saving your reputation when a crisis lands on your doorstep. In this episode, we’ll show you how to prepare for a crisis, what to do to maintain trust in the midst of a crisis, and how to recover after a crisis. After all, a crisis is also a unique opportunity to come to the aid of your school leaders and your community when they need it most. Featured in this episode are Dr. Erika H. James, Dr. Robert Hunt, Amy Edmondson and Sir Cary Cooper. Dr. Erika H. James is co-author of the book The Prepared Leader: Emerge from Any Crisis More Resilient Than Before. Listen to Dr. Robert Hunt on Season 2 of the SchoolCEO podcast. Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Julie Lythcott-Haims: On How to Raise an Adult | 27 Jan 2023 | 00:54:43 | |
Julie Lythcott-Haims believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. For over a decade she served as Stanford University’s dean of freshmen. With more parents controlling their students’ experience, relationships, academic work, and decisions, her message is something that will resonate with every educator, student, and parent. She is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult which gave rise to a popular TED Talk; her second book is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning prose poetry memoir Real American; her third book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, has been called a “groundbreakingly frank” guide to adulthood. Julie holds degrees from Stanford, Harvard Law, and California College of the Arts. She currently serves on the boards of Black Women’s Health Imperative, Narrative Magazine, and on the Board of Trustees at California College of the Arts. She serves on the advisory boards of LeanIn.Org, Sir Ken Robinson Foundation and Baldwin For the Arts. Follow Julie Lytchott-Haims on Twitter at @jlythcotthaims Subscribe to SchoolCEO Newsletter at https://www.schoolceo.com/subscribe-now/ for more strategies on leadership, influence, and engaging your school community. Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter @school_ceo Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Jeffrey Collier & Coty Kuschinsky: Collective Authorship | 06 Jan 2023 | 01:04:22 | |
This episode is a look inside how to grow a reputable district brand. While storytelling is often preached about, Saginaw ISD is actively telling its story with the help of hundreds of voices within the district in what Dr. Collier calls “Collective Authorship.” It's a powerful framework that can help you and your schools rethink how to share, celebrate, and communicate the stories of achievement with your stakeholders.
Saginaw ISD isn’t a typical school district, it’s actually an educational service agency providing services, resources, and programs to local school districts throughout Saginaw County. In total, Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, 5 public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 27,000 students. In addition, SISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs. Follow our guests on Twitter at @JeffreyJCollier, @CotyKuschinsky, and @SaginawISD Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/school_ceo Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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| Championing Communications | 16 Dec 2022 | 01:00:23 | |
SchoolCEO has written about the role of communications director throughout our issues for a simple reason: the role is critical to the success of superintendents and the district. In articles like Championing Your Comms Director and Super Team we make the case for how the role brings schools closer to their communities and how it supports the larger efforts of the school district in significant ways. In past SchoolCEO podcast episodes like Marketing Your Employer Brand we’ve discussed how the role can even influence recruitment and student engagement Listen in as we speak together with:
Learn more about SchoolCEO Conference on March 6 & 7, 2023 here: https://schoolceo.com/conference Subscribe to SchoolCEO Newsletter at https://www.schoolceo.com/subscribe-now/ for more strategies on leadership, influence, and marketing. Follow SchoolCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/school_ceo Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo.
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