for industry news, case studies, new media & communications strategies
July 9, 2018
In this episode of the We Love Schools podcast, host Joel Gagne speaks with Jason Wheeler, Marketing Director for Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in Texas. Jason runs the Social Media Schoolhouse blog and explains marketing for public schools and how specific techniques can be used by each school district.
May 15, 2018
In this episode, hosts Joel and Carole are back together to talk about their love of Instagram and why it’s the social media platform that deserves your attention. Schools need to be on Instagram, and they explain why.
November 29, 2017
In this episode of the We Love Schools podcast, host Carole Dorn-Bell speaks with Tate Skinner, secretary of the Ohio Small & Rural Collaborative and assistant principal of Minford High School. The two discuss how live streaming and using social media can improve access to students, parents and community members.
September 11, 2017
In this episode of the We Love Schools Podcast, host Joel Gagne talks with Marlon Marshall, a founding partner at 270 Strategies, about the 2016 presidential election and what’s to come for schools, both politically and legislatively. Marshall served as Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Director in the Obama White House Office of Public Engagement, where he led on-the-ground enrollment for the Affordable Care Act.
In the 2016 election, public education, usually a hot-button topic, took a backseat to other debates. Marshall expects much the same in 2020, when President Trump is likely to seek re-election.
But he says those discussions around education can take place locally.
“I think education is really really important,” he says. “I think if we could get candidates to really start talking about that and… tie it to people’s economic futures and why education is important, I do think there’s a lot that can be done at the local level.”
September 7, 2017
Which brands best leverage social media and mass communication with a unique, singular voice? Wendy’s is a strong local example.
The world of social media is a crowded place. With so many people and organizations sharing content in a 24/7 news and information cycle, it can be difficult to stay focused and cut through the clutter.
But it’s not impossible for your school to stay focused and form an authentic social media voice.
May 1, 2017
Recurring guest Andrea Gribble joins the podcast to explain how she gets schools to understand and harness the power of social media.
Gribble, the founder of #SocialSchool4edu.com, knows it’s difficult for teachers and administrators to stay on top of the ever-changing world of social media.
She started her business three years ago to serve the social media needs of small businesses, but, thanks to her own childhood school district, realized the immense opportunity to assist educators.
Her Woodbury, Minnesota company now serves 30 schools in four states.
April 17, 2017
In this episode, hosts Carole Dorn-Bell and Joel Gagne, speak with Andrea Gribble, founder of #SocialSchool4edu.com. As an expert in the use of social media in schools, Gribble shares her thoughts on the variety of social media platforms, the challenges that school districts face, and parent engagement.
Gribble calls social media a “complete game changer” for schools wanting to better engage with the community.
Most adults are on social media, she notes.
“And if are schools aren’t there, what kind of information are they learning about our schools?”
April 3, 2017
TrustED (blog) by Todd Kominiak
Last week, a lawsuit brought by public school parents in Nashville, Tenn., against an area charter school network received class-action status.
According to News Channel 5, the lawsuit accuses RePublic Schools Nashville of spamming local parents with text messages aimed at siphoning students from Nashville Metro Public Schools to the company’s for-profit charter school network.
In total, close to 4,000 parents received the texts. Attorneys representing aggrieved parents are now seeking $1,500 in damages for each message.
It remains to be seen whether the parents will win their legal battle. Either way, the story shines a light on a reality that many public leaders suddenly face: Competition from charter schools, private vouchers, and other alternatives is real. And many of these schools are investing in marketing to attract families.
Joel Gagne is president of Allerton Hill Consulting, a marketing firm that contracts with public schools. His take: Public schools need to step up their game if they want to compete with other providers. “K12 leaders have to adopt the mentality that they are competing for these students. And they must understand that this is no longer a fair fight.
February 6, 2017
February 2, 2017