School PR Drive Time - The NCSPRA Podcast

In today’s episode, we are chatting with Dr. Baron Davis – Founder & CEO of The Noegenesis Group – a solution-focused and outcomes-driven educational think tank and consulting firm. Dr. Davis served as superintendent for seven years in South Carolina’s Richland District Two, where he was honored by our national organization with the Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award. When he spoke to everyone gathered for the 2021 NSPRA National Seminar, Dr. Davis left a lasting impression on all of us with a very simple question, that we will ask today. Additionally, last November, Dr. Davis was the keynote speaker at the SC-NSPRA fall conference, and he regularly addresses professionals in education leadership. Dr. Davis covered a number of topics but his presentation on maintaining physical and mental wellness in this stressful industry resonated with us. Most importantly, he will explain the 10-finger down challenge and how we can facilitate this poignant exercise in our districts. Thanks to Finalsite for their support of School PR Drive Time. Music: "Hip Jazz," bensound.com, all other content © 2024, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we are tackling artificial intelligence and the future of marketing. As an emerging technology, there is no denying the impact AI will have on our personal and professional lives. Whether Chat GPT is writing copy for us (should it be writing copy for us?) or AI helping us parse social media metrics to make strategic marketing decisions, it feels like the sky’s the limit! Joining me today to unpack this subject are two professors from the University of Texas Austin. Professor Tracy Arrington and Professor Glenn Griffin. Professor Arrington specializes in marketing and AI and Professor Griffin specializes in teaching and development of creativity in advertising and is currently navigating the impact of AI on the industry and how students should think about it. Thanks to Peachjar for their support of School PR Drive Time. Music: "Hip Jazz," bensound.com, all other content ©2024, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we are tackling the topic of staff retention and recruitment. This is always a hot topic throughout the school year and many school systems face staffing shortages and challenges at some point. How are our teachers and support staff finding our jobs, can the process be improved, and what can we do to help support a wonderful and diverse culture and environment where staff can thrive?! Joining me today is my friend and former newsroom colleague Scott Dobroski. Scott and I started our careers in television in Nebraska. He’s now the VP of Global Corporate Communications for Indeed. As his job straddles both communications and staffing, we are so excited to hear his perspective and best practices from the corporate world. Thanks to Finalsite for their support of School PR Drive Time. Music: "Hip Jazz," bensound.com, all other content ©2023, NCSPRA'

In Episode 44 of #SchoolPR DriveTime, we will hear from Superintendent Jason Manuel and Kate Crowder, Communications Supervisor both of Germantown Municipal School District in Tennessee. Mr. Manuel was selected as the recipient of the NSPRA 2023 Communication Technology Award for Superintendents. The award recognizes one district leader annually for leadership in redefining, upgrading, and integrating cutting-edge communication technology to improve and expand outreach and engagement with internal and external education stakeholders. In this conversation, we want to learn more about these efforts, their effectiveness, and how they can be duplicated in other school systems. Thanks to Rhodes Branding for their support of School PR Drive Time. Music: "Hip Jazz," bensound.com, all other content ©2023, NCSPRA'

In today’s episode, we are tackling the topic of earning a seat at the leadership table within your organization. Whether you are the communications director or a valued member of the team, are you all part of high level decision making and are you in a position to provide your unique PR and stakeholder engagement perspective when high level conversations are happening? Our guests are Cindy Warner, APR, NSPRA’s Southeast Region Vice President, and Shayla Cannady, fellow NCSPRA board member and Chief Communications Officer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Thanks to Rhodes Branding for their support of School PR Drive Time. Music: "Hip Jazz," bensound.com, all other content ©2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we’re so excited to speak to a legend in the school PR space. Rick Kaufman is the Executive Director of Community Relations and Emergency Management for Bloomington (MN) Public Schools. Rick is a nationally respected consultant and trainer on emergency management and crisis communications, having worked in public schools and emergency management for more than 30 years. Rick is also the 2023 NSPRA Presidents Award winner! He has been on our guest list here at School PR Drive Time for quite a while because everyone who knows Rick knows he is truly a trailblazer and a model of all things school PR, and we are just so excited to have this conversation! Today's episode is sponsored by Granicus. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

Welcome to another episode of School PR Drive Time, a podcast produced by NCSPRA. In today’s episode, we’re getting to know Kathleen Kennedy, APR. Kathleen is the President of the Center for Communication and Engagement Kathleen works with schools across the country on everything from Crisis Communication to Bond referendums. She also provides professional development for educators and school PR Pros alike. Today, we are going to cover two relevant and relatable topics-Leadership in Education and Leadership in Chaos. Find Kathleen here: Website www.okcce.com Twitter Handle @KennedyAPR Instagram Handle Alwaysontherecord Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/okcce LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/company/okcce YouTube Channel @centerforcommunicationenga2159 Today's episode is sponsored by Voly. Call 214-818-9855 or email schools@voly.org to learn more. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

Welcome to another episode of School PR Drive Time, a podcast produced by NCSPRA. In today’s episode, we are diving into the topic of great storytelling through great photos! Joining us is Tony Cunningham, digital communications specialist at Durham Public Schools. Tony’s photo is a 2022 NCSPRA Blue Ribbon award winner and a 2022 Best of the Best winner in that category. Check out this project here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ONlfBmyjHd3xlcC85CF1YrTyR9dtweTh Connect with us: NCSPRA.org Please give this podcast five stars, and share it with your colleagues and friends! Today's episode is sponsored by Parent Square Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we are exploring the topic of Communications Audits- why do they matter, how do you do one, and how can audits make us more effective communicators? Our guests today are NSPRA’s Associate Director Mellissa Braham, APR, and Communication Audit Surveys Manager, Naomi Hunter, APR. Learn more: https://www.nspra.org/PR-Resources/Request-a-Communication-Audit Today's episode is sponsored by Peachjar Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we are getting an inside peak into an expansive marketing and event campaign that earned a 2022 Best of the Best designation as part of the NCSPRA Blue Ribbon Awards. Our guests are Dr. Lindsay Whitley and Ms. Renarta Moyd of Cumberland County Schools. Cumberland has earned multiple Best of the Best awards for their strategy and attention to detail that makes special projects and events successful! Today's episode is sponsored by Parent Square Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we are exploring how school communicators can play a positive role in shining a light on diversity and inclusion best practices in our school systems. Joining us for this conversation are two members of the Minnesota School Public Relations Association (MinnSPRA) board who have tackled this challenge head on with the creation of Good Trouble PR. Dirk Tedmon, Executive Director of Marketing & Communications for Eden Prairie schools and Toya Stewart Downey, Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Equity and Inclusion from Robbinsdale Area Schools will unpack this complicated topic and provide school PR practitioners with practical information to help them be a part of this movement for justice! More information: https://minnspra.org/event/good-trouble-pr-intro/#:~:text=Good%20Trouble%20PR%20purpose%3A&text=We%20will%20hold%20ourselves%20and,get%20in%20good%2C%20necessary%20trouble https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NOTYDwuQKcWCe2Q-2ePZp9yA7hS0wy-g?usp=sharing Today's episode is sponsored by Finalsite Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we continue exploring the topic of crisis management and crisis communications and important lessons learned. Joining us is August Vernon, the Director of the Forsyth County Office of Emergency Management in Winston-Salem, NC. I experienced a presentation that he recently made to first responders in Western North Carolina about active shooter response training. He also teaches classes for public information officers. Today, he’s going to share a behind-the-scenes look at how emergency management and communications go hand in hand and some important lessons learned in over 30 years of public safety and emergency management experience. This is part 2 of 2. Today's episode is sponsored by Granicus Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we are exploring the topic of crisis management and crisis communications and important lessons learned. Joining us is August Vernon, the Director of the Forsyth County Office of Emergency Management in Winston-Salem, NC. I experienced a presentation that he recently made to first responders in Western North Carolina about active shooter response training. He also teaches classes for public information officers. Today, he’s going to share a behind-the-scenes look at how emergency management and communications go hand in hand and some important lessons learned in over 30 years of public safety and emergency management experience. This is part 1 of 2. Today's episode is sponsored by Granicus Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we’ll be chatting with Andrea Gribble about her first book that just launched: Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to CelebrateYour Students & Staff — While Keeping Your Sanity. Social media is an ever changing landscape, and as school communicators, we may struggle to post content, generate content, and then get that content in front of the right audience. Take a look at the book>>>> https://socialschool4edu.com/book/ From the Author: “Social Media for Schools” is the ultimate handbook for school communicators. With practical tips and real-life examples, this value-packed book provides a proven framework to help social media managers celebrate their school on social media without losing their sanity. From insider secrets to case studies, this book offers everything you need to establish a consistent identity for your school, create content management strategies, and write engaging captions. Learn how to manage social media without it managing you! Today's episode is sponsored by Peachjar. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

*Note that this episode was recorded before Blackboard and Finalsite merged. This NSPRA Award was originally co-sponsored by Blackboard. In today’s episode, we will hear from Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton, Chief of Staff and Clerk to the Board, Dr. Angie Smith, and Dr. Chris Vail, Director of Communications for Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia. Dr. Cotton was selected as the recipient of the NSPRA 2022 Communication Technology Award for Superintendents. The award, presented by NSPRA in partnership with Blackboard, recognizes one district leader annually for leadership in redefining, upgrading and integrating cutting-edge communication technology to improve and expand outreach and engagement with internal and external education stakeholders. Today we want to learn more about these efforts, their effectiveness, and how they can be duplicated in other school systems. Today's episode is sponsored by Finalsite. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA

In today’s episode, we are diving into the topic of great storytelling through great writing! Joining us is Christina Beam, Marketing Specialist with New Hanover County Schools. Her article, "Still She Rose," is a 2022 Blue Ribbon Award and Best of the Best Recipient. Another one of her articles, “You Saved My Life: Forest Hills Teacher Rescues Student from Choking,” was a Best of the Best Writing winner for 2021. In today's episode, Christina provides some guidance and best practices for storytelling the 'write' way. This episode is brought to you by Peachjar. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA.

Welcome to another episode of School PR Drive Time, a podcast produced by NCSPRA. In today’s episode, we will explore the topic of branding. We are not talking school branding or organizational branding-- we’re discussing your personal and professional brand management. Our guest today is Dr. Patricia McLean, a long time NCSPRA member and former NCSPRA president and State and National School PR Accolades. Dr. McLean is a 20-year educator, having served as a math and science teacher, a human resource officer, and a school PR Professional. She has presented at the state and national levels. We'll explore some relevant and essential professional development advice for school PR practitioners and beyond! This episode is brought to you by Parent Square. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA.

Welcome to another episode of School PR Drive Time, a podcast produced by NCSPRA. In today’s episode, we will be discussing the currency of courtesy. What is it and why it matters. Joining me today is Brent Campbell, Chief Communications and External Relations Officer with Winston- Salem/Forsyth Co. Schools and Dionne Jenkins, the board attorney for Winston-Salem/Forsyth Co. Schools. Brent and Dionne designed a presentation for administrators and the leadership team discussing the currency of courtesy and for this podcast, we want to align these ideas with external relationship management- this can be working with the media, parents, teachers, and stakeholders. This episode is brought to you by Gabbart. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2022, NCSPRA

Welcome to another episode of School PR Drive Time, a podcast produced by NCSPRA. Co-hosts Stacia Harris and Kevin Smith have a wonderful conversation with a school PR practitioner who is new to the industry. Kylie McDonald is the PIO for Richmond County Schools. Stacia and Kevin met Kylie at a PD event when she was just a month into the job. She'd already learned valuable lessons, and we wanted to lift up her experience to help both new and veteran #SchoolPRPros as we continue to navigate choppy waters in our industry. This episode is brought to you by Rhodes Branding. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2022, NCSPRA

Welcome to another episode of School PR Drive Time, a podcast produced by NCSPRA. Today's episode is all about the power of relationship capital. Joining us for the conversation is Stephanie McFarland of McFarland PR. Stephanie is a senior issues-management consultant and president of McFarland PR & Public Affairs, Inc., with nearly 30 years of deep public-relations expertise honed in pressure-intense private and public organizations. Stephanie has served in public-relations capacities and leadership roles with Indianapolis Power & Light Co., Eli Lilly, Sallie Mae, the Indiana Department of Revenue, and various state government agencies. Additionally, she recently launched her own podcast, It's a PR Thing. . . . This episode is brought to you by Classtag, the all-in-one community engagement platform. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2022, NCSPRA