Justin and Ben from Class Intercom talk about the latest fish to jump in the pool, Threads. Is it legit? Is it worth playing with? Should your schools be on the platform? Do we really know these answers after only 8 days of life?  We also look ahead to the NSPRA Seminar in St. Louis and talk about what School PR Happy Hour have planned for the week! See ya in St. Louis #SchoolPR 

Justin and Ben from Class Intercom talk about the latest fish to jump in the pool, Threads. Is it legit? Is it worth playing with? Should your schools be on the platform? Do we really know these answers after only 8 days of life? We also look ahead to the NSPRA Seminar in St. Louis and talk about what School PR Happy Hour have planned for the week! See ya in St. Louis #SchoolPR

Talkin' Threads on the #Road2NSPRA

Erin and Justin look back at the goals they set at the beginning of the season and reflect on the fourth season of this podcast. Stick around until the end for a show announcement about Season 5.   Thank you as always for listening and engaging with us during this adventure!

Erin and Justin look back at the goals they set at the beginning of the season and reflect on the fourth season of this podcast. Stick around until the end for a show announcement about Season 5. Thank you as always for listening and engaging with us during this adventure!

Episode 418 - Season 4 Wrap Up

Join Erin as she chats about the outstanding teaching career and recent change to the EdTech world of Scott Nunes from Canva. They spend some time talking about some of the latest additions to the Canva arsenal when it comes to content creation! We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Join Erin as she chats about the outstanding teaching career and recent change to the EdTech world of Scott Nunes from Canva. They spend some time talking about some of the latest additions to the Canva arsenal when it comes to content creation! We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Episode 417 - Canva can do WHAT?

Justin is joined by everyone's School PR BFF, Andrea Gribble to chat about her new book, tips to finish strong this school year and a few things you can do this summer to get ahead of the game going into next summer!

Justin is joined by everyone's School PR BFF, Andrea Gribble to chat about her new book, tips to finish strong this school year and a few things you can do this summer to get ahead of the game going into next summer!

Episode 416 - Finishing Strong this School Year

Our Brene Brown fans out there are going to enjoy this one! Justin sat down with his friend Tony who was recently named Teacher of the Year for a local high school to talk about how Communications folks can make their job easier. The true gems of this episode come in hearing the passion that Tony has for teaching and impacting his students. There are teachers like Tony in every district out there. We need to find them and show them off!

Our Brene Brown fans out there are going to enjoy this one! Justin sat down with his friend Tony who was recently named Teacher of the Year for a local high school to talk about how Communications folks can make their job easier. The true gems of this episode come in hearing the passion that Tony has for teaching and impacting his students. There are teachers like Tony in every district out there. We need to find them and show them off!

Episode 415 - "Clear is Kind" - Communicating with Teachers

This was a fun conversation between Erin and, the BFF of the SPRHH, Ben Pankonin from Class Intercom on AI's role in School PR. A few office references and a lot of AI nuggets were shared in this episode. Thanks for being here!

This was a fun conversation between Erin and, the BFF of the SPRHH, Ben Pankonin from Class Intercom on AI's role in School PR. A few office references and a lot of AI nuggets were shared in this episode. Thanks for being here!

Are We Competing with the Computers? A.I in School PR!

Justin is joined by Mitch Roush to talk podcasting in schools in 2023! Things may look a little different now than they did before the pandemic, but Podcasting is still a great opportunity to meet your parents where they are and share the story of your district!

Justin is joined by Mitch Roush to talk podcasting in schools in 2023! Things may look a little different now than they did before the pandemic, but Podcasting is still a great opportunity to meet your parents where they are and share the story of your district!

Episode 413 - Podcasting in Schools in 2023

Guest Host Julie Thannum, APR is joined by Melissa Robinette and Ashley-Michelle Thublin, APR to discuss different ways School PR pros can make an impact no matter where they are in their careers!

Guest Host Julie Thannum, APR is joined by Melissa Robinette and Ashley-Michelle Thublin, APR to discuss different ways School PR pros can make an impact no matter where they are in their careers!

Episode 412 - Making an Impact Where You Are

Justin is joined by Elishia Seals to talk about why the #SchoolPR community is SO special and unique!

Justin is joined by Elishia Seals to talk about why the #SchoolPR community is SO special and unique!

Episode 411 - We Heart #SchoolPR!

Erin is joined by Tyler ISD's Jennifer Hines to talk about how Tyler ISD is doing Staff Recruitment differently. Listen to learn more about switching from a school to a business mindset when it comes to recruiting the best in brightest teachers and staff available.

Erin is joined by Tyler ISD's Jennifer Hines to talk about how Tyler ISD is doing Staff Recruitment differently. Listen to learn more about switching from a school to a business mindset when it comes to recruiting the best in brightest teachers and staff available.

Episode 410 - Staff Recruitment: Strategies and Tactics!

A place for School PR professionals to come together, share tips, tricks and best practices.

I love learning from this podcast! Erin and Justin are two school communicators that are in the trenches everyday, making a difference for kids. Their perspective in talking with top-notch guests from across the country have helped in my professional development. Thank you!!

Virtual PD for #SchoolPR

So helpful and engaging! If you’re a school PR pro, this is a great way to get PD in an easy-to-consume format.

Awesome!

School PR Happy Hour

We are storytellers, but what makes a great story? This "extended" episode of School PR Happy Hour dives into everything VISUAL storytelling. Tove Tupper, Assistant Director of Communications for Highline Public Schools in Washington and Derek Duncan, Digital Communications Coordinator at Parkway Schools in St. Louis join Justin to talk about visual storytelling. 

We are storytellers, but what makes a great story? This "extended" episode of School PR Happy Hour dives into everything VISUAL storytelling. Tove Tupper, Assistant Director of Communications for Highline Public Schools in Washington and Derek Duncan, Digital Communications Coordinator at Parkway Schools in St. Louis join Justin to talk about visual storytelling.

Episode 9 - Visual Storytelling

The most important voices in our district are the kids walking the hall. What if we, as storytellers, found unique ways for those students to be the storytellers. Brenda Drake, PIO for Montgomery County Public Schools is doing just that through her Ambassador program's Instagram responsibilities. 

The most important voices in our district are the kids walking the hall. What if we, as storytellers, found unique ways for those students to be the storytellers. Brenda Drake, PIO for Montgomery County Public Schools is doing just that through her Ambassador program's Instagram responsibilities.

Episode 7 - Student Voice

According to the New York Times best selling author Brene Brown, embracing Vulnerability is the key to unlocking greater clarity in our potential.  Adam Harris, Head of Storytelling for Arlington Heights School District, feels exactly the same way.  In episode 6, Adam shares how he uses vulnerability to increase his storytelling for his district built trust with his audiences, and challenge the status quo.

According to the New York Times best selling author Brene Brown, embracing Vulnerability is the key to unlocking greater clarity in our potential. Adam Harris, Head of Storytelling for Arlington Heights School District, feels exactly the same way.  In episode 6, Adam shares how he uses vulnerability to increase his storytelling for his district built trust with his audiences, and challenge the status quo.

Episode 6 - Vulnerability

As we move into the Holiday season, it feels appropriate to take some time to touch on an issue that has been a hot button in the K12 PR world.   How good are you, as a practitioner of School PR, at taking time to take care of yourself, or to check in internally to make sure you are achieving balance in your life? In this episode, Erin talks with two dynamic thought leaders who are pioneering this conversation on a national level.  Join Shawn McKillop APR, and Kristin Magette APR for an episode you don't want to miss. 

As we move into the Holiday season, it feels appropriate to take some time to touch on an issue that has been a hot button in the K12 PR world.   How good are you, as a practitioner of School PR, at taking time to take care of yourself, or to check in internally to make sure you are achieving balance in your life? In this episode, Erin talks with two dynamic thought leaders who are pioneering this conversation on a national level.  Join Shawn McKillop APR, and Kristin Magette APR for an episode you don't want to miss.

Episode 8 - K12PrWellness

Happy New Year School PR!  A new year is filled with new energy and new opportunity.  In this special New Year's Day episode, Erin talks with School PR Rookie JP Prezzavento  on breaking into the industry and finding your niche in school PR.

Happy New Year School PR! A new year is filled with new energy and new opportunity.  In this special New Year's Day episode, Erin talks with School PR Rookie JP Prezzavento  on breaking into the industry and finding your niche in school PR.

Episode 10 - New Year, New You

Bond.  It's many School PR professional's favorite 4 letter word. Bonds are a necessary tool to achieve the needed funding for construction and other capital projects in school districts.  They can be stressful, intimidating and heartbreaking.  They can also be points of success to rally community members to come out and support public schools.  Negotiating the political landscape can be tricky, and explaining tax increases and decreases can sometimes feel like you're explaining complex math that you barely understand yourself. In episode 4, Erin talks with Corey Ryan, Chief Communications Officer in Leander ISD, near Austin, Texas.  In his career in school PR, Corey has worked on multiple bonds, some with success, and some with learning opportunities.  Join us, as Corey shares his lessons learned and interjects a few Seinfeld references for good measure.

Bond.  It's many School PR professional's favorite 4 letter word. Bonds are a necessary tool to achieve the needed funding for construction and other capital projects in school districts.  They can be stressful, intimidating and heartbreaking.  They can also be points of success to rally community members to come out and support public schools.  Negotiating the political landscape can be tricky, and explaining tax increases and decreases can sometimes feel like you're explaining complex math that you barely understand yourself. In episode 4, Erin talks with Corey Ryan, Chief Communications Officer in Leander ISD, near Austin, Texas.  In his career in school PR, Corey has worked on multiple bonds, some with success, and some with learning opportunities.  Join us, as Corey shares his lessons learned and interjects a few Seinfeld references for good measure.

Episode 4 - Bond Tips and Tricks

Lesley Bruinton, APR, the Coordinator of Public Relations for Tuscaloosa Schools in Tuscaloosa Alabama and NSPRA President-Elect joins Justin to talk about the important role that strategy plays in the day to day operations of a School Communications Plan.  Whether you are a strategy pro or if it is something you have never really jumped into, this episode will leave you with tips and motivation to really examine the WHY in your daily work processes.

Lesley Bruinton, APR, the Coordinator of Public Relations for Tuscaloosa Schools in Tuscaloosa Alabama and NSPRA President-Elect joins Justin to talk about the important role that strategy plays in the day to day operations of a School Communications Plan.  Whether you are a strategy pro or if it is something you have never really jumped into, this episode will leave you with tips and motivation to really examine the WHY in your daily work processes.

Episode 5 - Roll Tide: Talking Strategy with the President Elect

(Possible Trigger Warning) Crisis. The subject that School PR professionals seek endless training upon, consider themselves experts and prepare materials for.  No matter how much you prepare, the true nature of a crisis, is there is always something you don't know. In episode 12, Kim Cathey from Floresville ISD talks with Erin about two severe crisis situations she guided her district through - both natural and manmade disasters. This episode contains serious material and addresses student death.  If this is a trigger for you, you may wish to skip this episode.

(Possible Trigger Warning) Crisis. The subject that School PR professionals seek endless training upon, consider themselves experts and prepare materials for.  No matter how much you prepare, the true nature of a crisis, is there is always something you don't know. In episode 12, Kim Cathey from Floresville ISD talks with Erin about two severe crisis situations she guided her district through - both natural and manmade disasters. This episode contains serious material and addresses student death.  If this is a trigger for you, you may wish to skip this episode.

Episode 12 - You're never really ready in a crisis (Possible Trigger warning)

Accreditation in Public Relations.  A.P.R.  Sounds scary right?  Maybe intimidating?  Totally Awesome? Many School PR professionals dream of one day adding those 3 letters after their name.  Having your APR means that you are recognized internationally as holding credentials that certifies your drive, professionalism and principles.  Your APR sets you apart from your peers and helps to position you as both a leader and a mentor.  Tracy Jentz, APR, is the Communications and Engagement Coordinator for Grand Forks Public School in North Dakota.  In this episode, she talks with Justin about the journey towards earning her APR pin.  According to Tracy, having an APR changes everything!

Accreditation in Public Relations.  A.P.R.  Sounds scary right?  Maybe intimidating?  Totally Awesome? Many School PR professionals dream of one day adding those 3 letters after their name.  Having your APR means that you are recognized internationally as holding credentials that certifies your drive, professionalism and principles.  Your APR sets you apart from your peers and helps to position you as both a leader and a mentor. Tracy Jentz, APR, is the Communications and Engagement Coordinator for Grand Forks Public School in North Dakota.  In this episode, she talks with Justin about the journey towards earning her APR pin.  According to Tracy, having an APR changes everything!

Episode 3 - The APR Process

Our jobs are to tell the good stories that are going on in the classrooms, but what are we doing about public education as a whole.? Join Justin as he talks with Dr. Richard Long from Learning First Alliance and Rich Bagin, APR from NSPRA about ways School PR professionals can step up and speak out for public schools. Public Schools Week is February 24-28... have you signed the pledge to support public schools? Learn how in episode 11.

Our jobs are to tell the good stories that are going on in the classrooms, but what are we doing about public education as a whole.? Join Justin as he talks with Dr. Richard Long from Learning First Alliance and Rich Bagin, APR from NSPRA about ways School PR professionals can step up and speak out for public schools. Public Schools Week is February 24-28... have you signed the pledge to support public schools? Learn how in episode 11.

Episode 11 - Advocating for Public Education

Don’t worry! You’re still getting your scheduled content on the first and the fifteenth. Erin and Justin just want to say thank you!

Quick thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day Patrons of the Happy Hour. In this episode, we step outside of the industry to have an important conversation on the effect our jobs can have on the ones we love. Justin welcomed his wife, Caty Dearing, into the studio to talk School PR, the effects the job can have on a relationship, and even a little bit of the importance of incorporating teacher voice into our communications. You will realize very quickly that Caty is way smarter than Justin and should probably have her own educational podcast.

Happy Valentine's Day Patrons of the Happy Hour. In this episode, we step outside of the industry to have an important conversation on the effect our jobs can have on the ones we love. Justin welcomed his wife, Caty Dearing, into the studio to talk School PR, the effects the job can have on a relationship, and even a little bit of the importance of incorporating teacher voice into our communications. You will realize very quickly that Caty is way smarter than Justin and should probably have her own educational podcast.

Episode 13 - School PR and The Family

Throwing content at the wall and hoping it will stick - it's the nightmare of professional communicators everywhere.  So what do you do, in an effort to create authentic engagement on your social platforms?  Our final full episode of Season 1 features Justin Elbert from Klein ISD, a long-time school PR Practitioner with a speciality in engaging content and analytics.

Throwing content at the wall and hoping it will stick - it's the nightmare of professional communicators everywhere.  So what do you do, in an effort to create authentic engagement on your social platforms? Our final full episode of Season 1 features Justin Elbert from Klein ISD, a long-time school PR Practitioner with a speciality in engaging content and analytics.

Keeping your Social Media from becoming Anti- Social

Aaron Davis

Justin was joined by his new friend and keynote speaker Aaron Davis to talk about a variety of topics that School PR pros are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you leave this episode encouraged and ready to finish this historic school year strong.

Justin was joined by his new friend and keynote speaker Aaron Davis to talk about a variety of topics that School PR pros are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you leave this episode encouraged and ready to finish this historic school year strong.

Episode 18 - Aaron Davis Focusing on Can

Join Erin as she talks with Julie Thannum, APR, about what Carroll ISD is doing to become cultural competent and became a leader among districts is choosing equity.

Join Erin as she talks with Julie Thannum, APR, about what Carroll ISD is doing to become cultural competent and became a leader among districts is choosing equity.

Cultural Competency

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

The best episodes for anyone looking to learn more about topics such as happiness, fulfillment, depression and psychology/mental health in general. With interviews with industry experts, personal stories of individuals, this topic has lessons applicable to everyone. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!