1. Javier Ibarra shares how Denver Public Schools transitioned from reactive posts to strategic storytelling, resulting in viral reels and even a feature on Good Morning America.
2. Learn what gear this Emmy-winning team uses to create professional content. It costs less than $1,000 and is powered by iPhones. There is a link below!
3. Get ahead of 2026 federal regulations with smart tips on making your district’s social media content accessible.
4. Discover how DPS builds student-first content that connects emotionally and earns millions of views - without needing a full production crew.

SPECIAL GUEST

Javier Ibarra

Sr. Manager, Media and PR

Denver Public Schools, Colorado

Email: javier_ibarra@dpsk12.net

Website: https://www.dpsk12.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverPublicSchools

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denverpublicschools

X: https://x.com/dps_k12

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/denver-public-schools/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DenverPublicSchools

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Click here to see Zoey walking for the first time to get her diploma
• Watch middle school students explain their lingo
• Meet the canines who help with drug detection
• Denver Public Schools Checklist - including Video Tool 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!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Lauren Snell opens up about a full-scale social media attack on Cherry Creek School District - and how she led her team through it with transparency and calm.
2. You'll walk away with a comprehensive crisis checklist, covering everything from assigning team roles to managing media and coordinating with law enforcement.
3. Learn how Lauren tapped into her community to build a network of “truth tellers” ready to help counter misinformation. This monthly class has also helped spread the positive stories they share on social media!
4. Hear the behind-the-scenes on the tools, settings, and mindset that help prevent future trolling and protect staff mental health.

SPECIAL GUEST

Lauren Snell

Public Information Officer and Social Media Manager

Cherry Creek School District, Colorado

Email: lsnell@cherrycreekschools.org

Website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCSDK12/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherrycreekschools

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!
• Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Zac Rantz breaks down why accessibility is top of mind for schools and how upcoming regulations are pushing needed change.
2. He simplifies the five key areas—images, colors, links, PDFs, and videos—with easy-to-follow, practical tips.
3. Discover how accessibility isn’t just compliance—it’s about making school communications better for everyone.
4. Zac also shares how his district of 6,700 students manages social media with a smart, centralized approach that works.

SPECIAL GUEST

Zac Rantz

Chief Communication Officer & Safety Coordinator

Nixa Public Schools, Missouri

Email: zacrantz@nixaschools.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacrantz/

X: @zacrantz

Website: https://www.nixapublicschools.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nixapublicschools/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nixaschools/

X: https://x.com/nixaschools

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Click here for Zac’s handout on the Basics of Accessibility
• 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!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. What happens when a strategic communications expert from higher ed takes on K-12 social media? Chanda Gilmore drops fresh, practical advice your school can start using right away.
2. Before you post, are you really listening? Discover why tuning in to your community first could be the biggest game-changer for your engagement strategy.
3. Think there’s a magic formula for engagement? Think again. Chanda breaks down why what works in one district might totally flop in another—and how to figure out what fits your community.
4. From showcasing custodians to tapping into short-form video, you’ll hear creative ways to move beyond “just posting” and start building a true connection with your audience.

SPECIAL GUEST

Chanda Gilmore, M.S.

Instructor, Strategic Communication and Public Relations

University of Delaware, Delaware

Email: cgilmore@udel.edu

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chanda-gilmore

Website: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/communication/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/udcommdept/

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Video tip on Facebook’s new metric called “Viewers” - Click here to watch!
• 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!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Shain Bergan shares the incredible story of how Kansas City Public Schools rewrote their narrative. From declining enrollment and 60-year-old buildings to renewed community pride and growing numbers, all through the power of consistent, strategic storytelling.
2. Get the inside scoop on how a $474 million bond passed with 85% voter approval - the first successful bond in nearly six decades! Discover how social media, media access, and bold transparency helped the community believe in the district again.
3. Learn how Shain built a social media presence from nearly nothing to triple-digit growth in just two years - starting with school visits, building trust, and empowering teachers and staff as storytellers.
4. From skepticism to buy-in: Discover the systems, mindset shifts, and content strategy that helped turn KCPS’s social media into a vibrant, authentic reflection of what’s really happening in schools and why that’s changing everything.

SPECIAL GUEST

Shain Bergan

Public Relations Coordinator

Kansas City Public Schools, Missouri

Email: sbergan@kcpublicschools.org

X: @KCPSShain

Website: https://www.kcpublicschools.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcpublicschools/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcpublicschools/

X: https://x.com/kcpublicschools

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Register now for the Social Media for Schools Retreat happening June 23-25, 2026.
• Grab more information on the bond campaign at this website: https://www.kcpsbond.org/
• 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

1. Andrea shares her firsthand experience navigating Facebook page suspensions and restrictions for schools - and why this issue is hitting closer to home than ever before.
   
   
   
2. Find out which seemingly harmless words (like “raffle” or “donation”) may now trigger Facebook’s AI to flag or shut down your page.
   
   
   
3. Learn how Andrea and her team have responded - from creating support tickets to starting temporary Facebook groups - and what actually worked.
   
   
   
4. Get Andrea’s practical tips, including green/yellow/red flag language guidelines and how to safely share fundraiser info without risking your page.

Email: andrea@socialschool4edu.com

Follow Andrea on X: @andreagribble

Website: www.socialschool4edu.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialschool4edu

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Facebook Help - https://business.facebook.com/business/help/
• Quick Guide - Facebook Fundraising & Raffle Posts
• Facebook Fundraiser Language Cheat Sheet
• 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!

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www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

1. Michelle Karpinski from Portage Public Schools in Michigan shares how embracing a communications audit unlocked major growth for her district.
   
   
2. Learn how improvements were made with both internal and external communication and how they tracked their progress.
   
   
3. Discover how a data-driven audit led to a full rebrand, website overhaul, and better parent engagement.
   
   
4. Michelle’s “be brave” mindset shows how audits can be a catalyst - not a critique - for school PR success.

SPECIAL GUEST

Michelle Karpinski, MPA

Community Relations Manager

Portage Public Schools, Michigan

Email: mkarpinski@portageps.org

Website: https://www.portageps.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portagepublicschools

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portageschoolsmi

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Check out the full Communications Audit from their website - click here for the report.
• You’re invited to our Social Media for School Retreat - June 23-25, 2026. Register now.
• Want to add capacity to your social media efforts? Think about adding a Teaching Assistant. Learn more in this blog.
• 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

1. Jason Lewis shares how a parent’s social media praise turned into a powerful story of school choice—and proof that our storytelling work truly makes a difference.
   
   
2. Learn how Jason’s student-led Instagram takeovers not only boost engagement but also help build leadership skills and résumé-worthy experiences for students.
   
   
3. Discover how Jason’s summer scavenger hunt turned quiet months into a community-building social media win.
   
   
4. Feeling stuck? Jason’s journey from TV to school PR shows the value of starting small, gaining trust, and being bold with creative ideas.

SPECIAL GUEST

Jason Lewis

Communications Specialist

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, Michigan

Email: jasonlewis@wlcsd.org

X: @JasonLewis_tv

Website: https://www.wlcsd.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wlcsd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walledlkschools/

X: https://x.com/WalledLkSchools

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/walled-lake-consolidated-schools

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHZPd3JtrmoakLAHVUbeiMA

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Social Media Hub for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
• 2025 Golden Gribble - Best Contest Award
• 2024 Golden Gribble - Best Student Takeover - Direct link to Bella’s takeover
• 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