Mastering Social Media for Schools

Hosted by Andrea Gribble

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Episodes

343

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Do you manage social media for a K12 school? Then this podcast is for you! Struggling to find time for social media? Wondering why people won’t engage on your Facebook page? Can’t get content from your staff? Trying to get students to follow your Instagram Stories? These are just some of the big struggles that #SocialSchool4EDU CEO and social media storyteller, Andrea Gribble, digs into on the Mastering Social Media for Schools podcast. In addition to exclusive interviews and step-by-step strategies, each episode is designed to inspire and empower you on your journey to master school social media! This podcast is meant for anyone in K12 education - public schools, private schools, charter schools, online schools, tech/career centers - we serve them all! Grab insight into what’s working in hundreds of schools based on the experience of Andrea and her team. They directly manage more than 90 school districts, and coach/mentor more than 200 other schools. But Andrea didn’t always know what worked. When she started her business in 2014, she wished she had someone helping her answer questions like: What platform should I start with? How important is my school hashtag? Should every school in my district have its own Facebook page? What kind of videos do best? How do I represent everything that is going on in my school when I’m only one person? You’ll discover why thousands of educators follow Andrea’s advice on social media and even have fun while listening. Hit “subscribe” and get ready to master social media for your school!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 26, 2026Episode 34252 min

Deepfakes & Digital Crises: Is Your School Ready? with Rebecca Emery, APR and T.J. Winick

Rebecca and T.J. bring AI expertise and crisis communication experience together to help schools prepare for a new reality: deepfakes, manipulated media, and misinformation can turn into a real crisis incredibly quickly. Don’t wait for a deepfake to test your crisis plan. Learn what schools should prepare now - from holding statements and response protocols to preserving original photos and videos that could help establish what’s authentic later. You can still celebrate students on social media - but do it with care. Discover practical considerations around consent, group versus individual photos, unnecessary identifiers, image archives, and the long-term accessibility of student content online. Your policies need to keep pace with the technology. Hear why codes of conduct and acceptable-use policies should clearly address creating and sharing manipulated media, spell out consequences, and reflect current state and local laws. SPECIAL GUESTS Rebecca Emery, APR President Seacoast AI, New Hampshire https://www.SeacoastAI.com Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyemery/ T.J. Winick Founder & President Essex Strategies, Massachusetts https://www.essexstrategies.com Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjwinick/ USEFUL INFORMATION Grab a copy of T. J. Winick’s book at this link: Reputation Capital: How to Navigate Crises and Protect Your Greatest Asset Blog: How to Get Around Meta’s Limit on Facebook Links 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

October 19, 2026Episode 34135 min

Students Tell the Story: Student-Led Social Media with Dr. Jill Johnson

Dr. Jill Johnson shares the heart behind her new book, Students Tell the Story , and why she believes student-led social media can strengthen school culture, community trust, and student leadership. Student storytelling isn’t just a way to get more content created. Jill explains how giving students real responsibility provides an authentic place to practice digital citizenship, creativity, communication, and other career-ready skills. Nervous about handing students the keys to your school’s social media? You’ll hear why a little healthy fear is OK - and how the right parameters, training, and support can create an incredible learning experience. From students discovering future careers to giving quieter kids a new place to shine, Jill shares inspiring examples that may have you looking at your own students and wondering, “Who could I invite to help tell our story?” SPECIAL GUEST Dr. Jill Johnson Author Dr. Jill, Nebraska Email: drjillj00628@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Jill on X: @drjilljohnson Website: https://www.drjillj.com USEFUL INFORMATION Buy Jill’s book now at www.drjillj.com Sign up for Class Intercom’s free 2027 Content Generation Social Media Challenge for students, happening on February 10th. Register for our 3rd Annual Social Media for Schools Retreat now - happening June 22-24, 2027, in Stillwater, MN. 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

October 12, 2026Episode 34030 min

From 600 to 1,600 Followers: School Social Media Growth with Melissa Bevier

Melissa Bevier shares the remarkable progress her district has made since attending the Social Media for Schools Retreat, including nearly tripling its social media following and creating content that reached tens of thousands of views. Sometimes the biggest improvements don’t require a complicated strategy. Melissa explains how simple shifts - like relying less on graphics and showing more authentic photos, people, and stories - changed how their community responded. A small communications team can’t be everywhere, so Melissa is finding creative ways to expand her storytelling network through staff collaboration, photo submissions, and a new student ambassador program. One of Melissa’s biggest lessons has nothing to do with algorithms: relationships are your superpower. When staff, coaches, teachers, and students become your eyes and ears, finding meaningful stories becomes much easier. SPECIAL GUEST Melissa Bevier Communications Grossmont Union High School District, California Email: mbevier@guhsd.net Connect with Melissa on Instagram: @_melly_gram_ Website: https://www.guhsd.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GUHSDschools Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_schools/ USEFUL INFORMATION Melissa’s examples: Back-to-school video with school leaders Weather alert videos featuring girls flag football teams - WHHS and SHS Register for the 2027 Social Media for Schools 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! 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

October 5, 2026Episode 33940 min

Social Media Secrets from a One-Person School PR Shop with Sharon Patrick

Sharon Patrick is a one-person communications department serving 28 schools and 18,000+ students - and she’s making social media work! She shares the practical systems, shortcuts, and mindset that help her keep telling great stories without trying to do everything perfectly. More posts don’t automatically mean better social media. Sharon once had a goal set by her superintendent: five posts every single day. Hear what convinced her to change course and why being more intentional with content has made such a difference. Stop letting great school stories get buried in texts and emails! Sharon shares the super-simple QR code system she uses to collect photos and story ideas from staff across her huge district - and it’s an idea you can easily steal. One of Sharon’s most successful content ideas is also one of the simplest. Her district’s “Won the Week Hero” recognition generates incredible engagement while celebrating everyone from teachers to custodians and cafeteria staff. You’ll hear how they organize it, capture the content, and keep it manageable week after week. SPECIAL GUEST Sharon Patrick Public Relations Manager Rankin County School District, Mississippi Email: sharon.patrick@rcsd.ms Website: https://www.rcsd.ms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rcsdms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rcsdms/ USEFUL INFORMATION Won the Week Hero - Tran Myers - Look at all of the engagement!!! Video Post Photo Post Photo of Sharon Patrick on the tractor listening to the podcast 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

September 28, 2026Episode 33851 min

Why Your School’s Instagram Should Be a Trophy Case with Robert Chapman

Robert Chapman believes your school’s Instagram should be a “trophy case.” Discover how this simple mindset helps Clinton Public Schools consistently celebrate students, staff, and the everyday moments that make their district special. You don’t need to chase the algorithm to grow your Instagram. Robert shares how Clinton Public Schools built an audience of more than 5,000 followers by intentionally showing families what’s happening inside their schools. Need people to pay attention to important - but boring - information? Get creative! Hear the story behind a hilarious kindergarten registration video featuring students playing the adults, and why it generated incredible engagement and shares. Podcasting doesn’t have to become another overwhelming task on your list. Robert explains how he has simplified his district podcast, captures conversations with equipment he already has, and repurposes episodes to get even more mileage from great school stories. SPECIAL GUEST Robert Chapman Director of Communications Clinton Public School District, Mississippi Email: rchapman@clintonpublicschools.com X: https://x.com/ChapmanRobert Website: https://www.clintonpublicschools.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintonpublicschooldistrict/ USEFUL INFORMATION Kindergarten Registration Video The Clinton Arrow Podcast 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

September 21, 2026Episode 33737 min

Students Behind the Camera: Building a Student Comms Team with Genna Dellisola

Fresh out of college and loving her role at Pinkerton Academy, Genna Dellisola shares how students have become an important part of the school’s communications team - creating content while gaining hands-on experience they can take straight into college and future careers. What if your student social media team was actually a class? Hear how Pinkerton structures its one-credit independent study, from selecting students and brainstorming content to assigning projects, scheduling posts, and giving students real responsibility. School social media doesn’t always have to feel polished and serious! Genna shares how her students use fun trends, humor, and relatable ideas to show a more human side of school leaders while building stronger connections across their community. Need an easy storytelling idea you could start right away? You’ll love Pinkerton’s simple approach to class and club spotlights - giving families an inside look at opportunities students may never think to mention when someone asks, “What did you do at school today?” SPECIAL GUEST Genna Dellisola Digital Media Strategist Pinkerton Academy, New Hampshire Email: gdellisola@pinkertonacademy.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gennadellisola Website: https://www.pinkertonacademy.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkertonacademy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkertonacademy/ USEFUL INFORMATION Social Media Post Examples: Golf Cart vs. Student "Have a Good Day" Tour Using Gen-Z Script Cosmetology Class Spotlight Astros United Club Spotlight Want more training on students as storytellers? Grab your virtual ticket to our Social Media for Schools 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! 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

September 14, 2026Episode 33630 min

How to Turn One School Event Into Weeks of Reels with Andrea Gribble

You really can create a bunch of great video content without spending hours at your school! I’m sharing exactly how I turned less than one hour at Academic Night into 10 different Reels. One event can give you weeks of content if you know what to look for. I’ll walk you through how I found students, staff, projects, and little moments worth capturing along the way. Your videos do not have to be perfect to work! Some of my favorite clips were completely unplanned, a little messy, and very real - and that’s exactly why they connected with our community. You don’t have to edit and post everything right away. I’ll show you how I spread these videos out over several weeks so one night of storytelling kept working for me long after the event was over. Email: andrea@socialschool4edu.com 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 Blog: Social Media Content Batching: 1 Hour Filming, 10 Videos, 37,000+ Views Andrea’s Recommended Tools - like the microphone and carrier that I used! 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

September 7, 2026Episode 33542 min

What No One Tells You About Working in School Communications with Mike Cyze

Mike Cyze has spent 14 years in school communications, and he knows firsthand what this role demands. He shares a perspective on the work that will have many school communicators nodding along and thinking, Yep… he gets it . There’s a part of this job that most people never see. Mike opens up about one of those moments - and the lesson he took from it is something every school communicator needs to hear. Some of the best advice Mike has collected over the years is surprisingly simple. From knowing when to stop talking to learning how to receive feedback, these little lessons can make a big difference in how you communicate and lead. And when the work feels especially heavy? You need the right people around you. Mike shares why connection, laughter, and having people who truly understand this profession matter more than we sometimes realize. SPECIAL GUEST Mike Cyze Chief Communication Officer Dubuque Community School District, Iowa Email: mcyze@dbqschools.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mike-cyze Website: https://www.dbqschools.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbqschools USEFUL INFORMATION Gravity - a poem written by Mike Cyze for all school communicators 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

August 31, 2026Episode 33451 min

Boosting Staff Retention with Fulton School Champions with Alex Richmond and Marc Copani

Alex Richmond and Marc Copani from Fulton City School District share how their Fulton School Champions program has grown into a beloved tradition that celebrates staff, builds pride, and brings the community along for the ride. If staff morale and retention are on your mind, this episode will show you how intentional recognition can help people feel seen, valued, and proud to be part of your district. You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes details of how Fulton pulls off these surprise celebrations each month - from nominations and committee planning to video editing, prizes, and local business partnerships. This conversation is a great reminder that social media can be so much more than announcements. When you use it to tell personal staff stories, you can make your district feel smaller, warmer, and more connected. SPECIAL GUESTS Marc Copani Director of Human Resources Fulton City School District, New York Email: mcopani@fulton.cnyric.org Website: https://fultoncsd.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FultonCitySchoolDistrict Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fultoncsd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fultoncsd/ Alexander Richmond Public Information Assistant with CiTi BOCES Public Relations CiTi BOCES, New York Email: arichmond@citiboces.org Website: https://www.citiboces.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CiTiboces Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citi_boces/ USEFUL INFORMATION Visit this website for a full library of Fulton School Champions since it started back in 2023 A few of Alex’s favorites include: Lane Perl – January 1 Amanda Sherman – February 2 Sean Edwards – April 4 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

August 24, 2026Episode 33348 min

How a 360° Communications Program Can Transform Your District with Greg Viebranz

Greg Viebranz shares lessons from 35 years in school communications and explains how his 360° approach can help districts strengthen trust, transparency, and community support. Discover how a simple “temperature check” survey can reveal what families really think about your communication - and help you make smarter decisions about what to share next. Learn the 30-3-30 principle for creating content that serves people who have 30 seconds, three minutes, or 30 minutes to engage with your district’s story. Hear why your internal communications may not stay internal and how setting clear social media precedents can protect your district when difficult conversations arise. SPECIAL GUEST Greg Viebranz Principal Strategist End in Mind Creative, South Carolina Email: endinmindcreative@gmail.com Website: https://eimcreative.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EndInMind/ X: https://x.com/end_creative USEFUL INFORMATION #K12PRtip example - pinned Facebook post with important information Buy Greg’s Book 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