As we continue to look towards the excitement of 2020, we also need to understand that the new year doesn’t provide extra time to get things done. At 3C Solutions our goal is to save time and create solutions to your communication problems. So we are sharing 20 tips to help with your communications and community engagement efforts in 2020. Today we focus on telling your story.
Tip #2 – Tell Your Story
I have been part of the k-12 education world for 18 years now. I’m also married to a teacher and have several relatives on both sides of our family who are deeply involved in public education. I know how much educators care about kids, work hard to see them succeed and truly believe the work they are doing and the role they play makes a difference in our world. I also know that being their own cheerleader and sharing the good news that is happening in schools today is often the last thing these amazing people want to do.
It is more critical than ever before for schools to tell their story and to do so often. With so many options for people to receive messages these days and the increasing ability for people to select what messages they do and do not wish to receive, it’s getting harder and harder to share important information with your target audiences. In addition, there are always people lining up to share the negative aspects of schools today. This can make it seem hopeless for the average citizen.
Yet this is not an accurate picture of what most schools today are actually accomplishing. As educators, we must be our own advocates and share the great things that are happening in our schools. It is not only okay, but should be expected that every member of your team is heavily involved in making sure accurate and timely information is shared with those who need the information.
Encourage your teachers to share positive stories of what’s happening in the classroom on a regular basis. Parents love to hear what their students are doing all day and social media is a great way for teachers to share these quick updates. Secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and other often unsung heros are the backbone of the daily operations. The work that they do is critical to student success and should be shared with your entire community. Consider a short video or a series of fast facts to share how their work impacts the lives of students. The leadership and planning that your administrators provide is important in moving the district forward. Too many people see salaries instead of actual work product, so be sure to highlight the great work of your administrative team members. You can share regular staff spotlights that highlights all areas of education to give a more complete picture of what’s happening in your schools. You can also use newsletters, emails and pre-event speaking engagements to highlight the good things happening in your school.
While we have to share the big picture information such as report cards, budgets and building maintenance, it’s also important to make sure you are regularly sharing the positive news that happens in your schools. You must tell your story in a variety of mediums on a regular basis. This will help you to have a more trusting and better informed relationship with your community.