The Content Generation: Recent Episodes
Class Intercom
The Content Generation podcast is focused on inviting, influencing and inspiring a generation of content creators.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we’re joined by Barbara Hunter, APR, Executive Director of NSPRA (the National School Public Relations Association). A lifelong advocate for public education, Barbara’s journey began in the front office of her local elementary school, where her mother worked as the school secretary. That early exposure to education, paired with a passion for supporting educators and elevating public schools, sparked a career in public relations and strategic communication. With decades of experience—including serving as assistant superintendent of communications for Virginia’s Fairfax County Public Schools (one of the largest districts in the country)—Barbara brings unique insight to her role at NSPRA.
Barbara shares how her career path prepared her for what she calls the pinnacle of her professional life: leading NSPRA. Under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly in size, scope, and impact—guided by a mission-focused strategic plan and a commitment to supporting school communicators. She emphasizes the value of creating safe, connected spaces for professionals facing high-pressure challenges, whether through national and local events, ongoing strategic alignment, or NSPRA Connect, the organization’s online community.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we sit down with Lexi Vazquez, a high school senior at GMG Community Schools with a passion for social media and sports. As she prepares to attend the University of Iowa to study marketing with a minor in sports management, Lexi shares how her experiences in content creation as a student have shaped her career goals and ambition to one day produce content for professional sports.
Lexi began creating content as vice president of iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates), where she took over iJAG’s social media channels during a trip to Washington, D.C. Hand-selected for iJAG by her teacher, Brittany Raymond, she quickly emerged as a leader and is now creating content for her school as a student. Outside of school, she also works to create engaging sports content that resonates with students. Lexi is actively building her portfolio and seeking internship opportunities.
Tune in to hear how she’s paving her path in the sports media industry, using content creation to elevate student voices, and turning her passion into a future career.
In this live episode recorded at the 2025 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Annual Conference, Class Intercom’s Dr. Jill Johnson sits down with Anupama Vaid, President and Co-Founder of ParentSquare, to explore how schools can build stronger partnerships with families. Anupama shares how ParentSquare, which recently celebrated 14 years of serving schools, is redefining family engagement by listening to educators and creating a roadmap that addresses the unique communication challenges schools face.
ParentSquare is revolutionizing how schools connect by uniting all direct communication tools in one platform—serving 40% of students nationwide! The two also discuss AI and its powerful ability to personalize communications at scale.
Tune in to hear how ParentSquare is empowering schools to communicate more effectively, maintaining a strong company culture through rapid growth, and paving the way for a more equitable, proactive approach to family engagement.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we sit down with Hudl’s Tony Linder, to explore how the company is transforming the way schools engage their communities through sports and storytelling. As one of the biggest names in athletic performance analysis technology, Hudl is used by 99% of schools across the U.S. to help student-athletes and teams perform at their best. With the launch of Hudl Fan Suite, the company is now expanding its focus beyond athletes to support entire athletic departments with solutions for live streaming, sharing highlights, ticketing, schedules, and more.
In his 11-year career at Hudl, Tony has transitioned from sales to product management, and now leads market development. In this episode, he offers insights into how high schools are embracing authentic storytelling to stand out and connect,along with how Hudl’s solutions help schools tap into student talent for sports broadcast, marketing, and content creation. Tune in to discover how schools can leverage technology to tell authentic stories, involve students in meaningful ways, and maximize their resources to promote athletics and the community behind them.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we’re joined by Shari Veil, Dean of the College of Journalism & Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Under Shari’s leadership, the college is one of the most highly regarded in the nation, recently welcoming its largest freshman class in history. She dives into the college’s “Do From Day One” philosophy which sets their curriculum apart by providing students with hands-on, experiential learning from the start. With this real-world experience, her students are primed for success in an industry that is rapidly changing.
Drawing from her expertise in risk and crisis communication, Shari discusses the importance of building trust and effectively reaching audiences in today’s fragmented media landscape. She also highlights how the college is preparing students to combat misinformation, source credible stories, and navigate the challenges that come with AI-generated content.
Tune in to hear Shari’s insights on preparing the next generation of storytellers, the importance of evolving with the field, and her vision for journalism in the years to come.
On this episode of The Content Generation Podcast, we’re joined by Melissa Mertz, Product Manager at ParentSquare, whose journey from the classroom to the edtech space offers a fresh perspective on how schools can elevate their online presence with school websites. As the leader of ParentSquare’s Smart Sites tool, she helps schools create websites that balance aesthetics, functionality, and impact.
Melissa describes how a school’s website is more than an information hub—it’s the front porch of your school or district. In our conversation, she shares insights on creating websites that not only look great and are easy to navigate but also meet accessibility and legal standards.
In this episode, Melissa also gives a behind-the-scenes look at her vision for the future of Smart Sites. She highlights how the platform empowers all educators, not just tech experts, and how user feedback drives ongoing improvements. Tune in for expert advice on building school websites that attract prospective students, families, and staff by showcasing the stories that define your school community.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, a passionate educator, leader, and storyteller. With 26 years in education—including 12 as Superintendent of Fall Creek School District—Joe has made a profound impact on his own school community and others nationwide. Now a renowned author and speaker, he travels the country helping school leaders and educators harness the power of storytelling to shape their schools' narratives and strengthen their communities.
Joe dives into the importance of authentic storytelling in education, sharing practical advice on building intentional connections, fostering collaborative cultures, and amplifying the positive stories happening every day. He challenges educators and content creators to focus on what truly matters: sharing genuine, impactful stories that reflect the value of their schools.
Tune in as Joe offers a powerful reminder that changing how others perceive us starts with how we tell our own stories. His insights will inspire you to think differently, act intentionally, and ensure your school’s story is one that inspires and connects.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we’re joined by Terry Julian, technology facilitator at Hastings Public Schools. Throughout her 14 years with the district, Terry has worn many hats, managing everything from training and professional development to school public relations and social media. With a focus on elevating district storytelling, she recently collaborated with administrators to establish stipend positions for digital content creators at each of the district's eight schools.
Now in its first year, Terry shares how this passionate team is moving the needle forward, working alongside student content creators in digital media, yearbook, and journalism classes. They’re also finding creative ways to encourage staff to share about the great things happening in their classrooms—like social media bingo boards and other fun incentives that help creators think outside the box.
Tune in to hear Terry’s insights on creating a culture of pride and involvement, her dedication to Hastings Public Schools, and how her recent involvement with the Nebraska School PR Association has been helping her continue to learn and grow in the field.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we’re joined by Patrick Cogan, a senior at Pinkerton Academy and a standout student content creator. Patrick started as a sports videographer his freshman year, and since then his passion for video and content creation has grown. Now the school's primary content creator, Patrick has expanded his skill set, and taken on independent opportunities, working professionally with the NH Sports Page and The United Football League as the youngest team member.
As a student content creator, Patrick has actively collaborated with school administrators to shape the school’s social media approach. He believes combining the student perspective with administrative goals has led to authentic, engaging content, ultimately boosting the school’s online presence.
Crediting his time at Pinkerton for preparing him for professional work, Patrick has built an impressive freelance portfolio encompassing professional sports projects, conferences, and wedding content. As graduation approaches, his future is bright, with options ranging from college to exciting professional opportunities.
Tune in to hear Patrick’s insights on student content creation, authentic storytelling, and how his hands-on experiences as a student have prepared him for success beyond the classroom.
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we’re joined by Christopher Villarreal, EdD, Director of Communications at Papillion La Vista Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska. With 15 years of experience in public education, Chris shares his unique path from marketing and graphic design to teaching, and ultimately, school public relations—all driven by his passion for serving students. Since joining the Papillion La Vista team in January, Chris has quickly become a leader in Nebraska school PR, actively engaging with NebSPRA and organizing collaborative efforts with other districts to strategize around school social media.
Chris highlights the power of collaborative leadership, recounting a recent strategizing session he hosted, where local districts came together to exchange ideas on social media strategy and leveraging the Class Intercom platform. He reflects on how veteran Class Intercom users sparked meaningful conversations that led to innovative strategies and stronger connections. Chris also emphasizes the importance of staying humble and having the courage to learn from others, a philosophy inspired and supported by his superintendent, Dr. Andy Rickli, who champions interconnectedness and collaboration across the district and state.
Tune in to hear Chris’s insights on how humility and collaboration not only enhance individual skill sets but also uplift the entire school PR community.
In the season four premiere of the Content Generation Podcast, we’re joined by Heidi Vega, APR, the newly installed President of NSPRA (the National School Public Relations Association). With a unique start to her school PR career, Heidi shares her journey from serving in the Air Force to interning with her local school district’s communications department, and now leading 200+ school districts across Arizona and school PR professionals nationwide.
In this episode, Heidi discusses how her service background has shaped her approach to school PR and her commitment to authentic leadership. She reflects on her experience as the first Latina Director of Communications in a large Arizona district, and on the impact she will make as the first Latina President in NSPRA’s 90-year history.
Drawing from her lived experiences, Heidi highlights the importance of genuine diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the power of embracing your story as both an individual and an organization. Tune in to hear Heidi’s insights on leadership, representation, and the future of school PR, as she challenges content creators to establish deeper connections with their audiences through authenticity.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Trent Allen, APR, current National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) president and Chief of Staff at San Juan USD in Northern California. With a rich background in school public relations, Trent shares his journey within the industry, growing from a one-man show to leading a large and dynamic communications team in one of California's largest school districts.
In this episode, Trent discusses the evolving role of school PR professionals, the explosive growth of the profession, and the critical importance of effective communication in education. He highlights the crucial support and networking opportunities provided by NSPRA, which now boasts over 2,800 members.
Discover how Trent and his team at NSPRA are advocating for industry growth through a commitment to inclusivity and professional development. Hear about the exciting plans for the upcoming NSPRA National Seminar, where education leaders from around the country are invited to learn, engage, and build relationships with like-minded professionals in school communications.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jason McGehee, Assistant Club Director at Stars Basketball Club in Franklin, TN, located just outside of Nashville. Since its inception in 2014, Stars has seen annual, exponential growth and is now established as the region's top basketball club, impacting over 5,000 young athletes annually.
In this episode, Jason pulls back the curtain on how Stars leverages the power of storytelling to build its renowned brand reputation. Hear firsthand about the club's exceptional coaches fostering transformative mentor relationships with players - which are brought to life through Stars' engaging social media presence.
As an expert merging his passion for athletics with education and leadership, Jason dives into Stars' "MORE THAN” philosophy. Sharing how the club cultivates an unparalleled environment centered on character development, teamwork, and community - instilling invaluable life skills that extend far beyond the court.
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Marialice Curran, founder and executive director of the Digital Citizenship Institute. With three decades of experience in education as a teacher, administrator, and professor, Marialice shares insights on digital citizenship, and its impact on how school communities engage online.
Marialice talks about how a third-grade classroom sparked a pursuit to transform the narrative around technology and social media. What started as a three-credit higher education course on digital citizenship, evolved into tailored programs that inspire local, global, and digital communities to use technology for good.
You’ll also learn how the Digital Citizenship Institute is advancing conversations around artificial intelligence in schools with Mundo, an AI classroom assistant that offers a safe space for students to learn and explore AI. Marialice shares how embracing the positives of technology can create a ripple effect of good.
Join us as we welcome Sydney Jensen, returning guest and 2019 Nebraska Teacher of The Year. Sydney is an esteemed educator from Lincoln High School (located in the heart of the state’s capital city). She first appeared on The Content Generation Podcast in December 2019. Now, after a decade of teaching, Sydney not only imparts her wisdom on ninth-grade English students but also manages the school’s social media presence.
At first, Sydney was hesitant when Principal, Mark Larson, suggested she take on this responsibility, but after seeing the pages could use some extra care, she made a video at the eighth-grade open house that went viral. From highlighting new clubs to capturing quirky moments like alien hugs in the cafeteria, Sydney's content has resonated deeply with Lincoln High's community, propelling it to become the most followed high school in the district.
Drawing from the vibrant experiences of one of the state's largest and most diverse high schools, Sydney shares her plans for growth and the meaningful impact social media has had on both the school and its community. It’s a tale of authenticity, connection, and the influence of engaging stories.
Join us for a conversation with Chad Stevens, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at ParentSquare, the leading provider of innovative family and community engagement solutions for K-12 education. With a rich 28-year background that spans both public and private sectors in education and technology, Stevens shares his insights into the interplay between teaching and tech.
This conversation explores the evolving world of digital education, shining a light on the crucial role of effective school public relations, the art of genuine storytelling, and the strategic use of technology to enhance the educational journey for students and families alike.
You’ll also learn how ParentSquare is leading a communication revolution, directly impacting 17 million families nationwide. Stevens opens up about the company’s latest strategic partnerships and acquisitions, highlighting how these developments are reinforcing the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and positive impact.
This episode of the Content Generation Podcast features Kyleigh Kumm, a computer science and technology integration teacher at Harlan Community High School in Harlan, Iowa. In response to the need to get social media channels running for the district and buildings, Kumm proposed recruiting student content creators to help.
Now, these talented and experienced content creators are chasing after a new goal: Kumm is developing an authentic learning class aimed at building student resumes and portfolios. After a successful rollout of the first iteration of the class, local businesses are getting involved, creating a unique opportunity for student content creators to gain real world experience not only with school social media content, but with content for actual local businesses. Her innovative, hands-on approach to working with students to learn, explore, and apply a range of skills has even led to the first ever live student social media contest at the Nebraska Education Technology Association spring conference.
Catch this episode for especially innovative insights on student involvement, championing student voice, real world learning, authentic assessment in practice, and more.
In this episode, hear from Nicole Eimer, digital communications specialist for Valley View Public Schools. Located in a suburb of Chicago, VVSD, proudly serves a diverse community of about 15,000 students and 21 educational facilities. During a recent revamp of the district's strategic plan, focus shifted to building a heightened sense of belonging among students, families, and staff. In response to this initiative, Eimer worked with schools to determine the best way to connect with students and families. Now, with a digital content creator at each school, VVSD social media accounts have blossomed. From compelling campaigns like “Friday Favorites”, to showcasing their reading facility dogs, engagement has skyrocketed with student stories at the forefront. But, with a range of social media experience, from teachers to front office secretaries, how does Eimer ensure her team is creating quality content? And what has their experience been getting students involved in this initiative? The results are a testament to the power social media can have when people see themselves represented in the stories being told.
In this episode, we hear from Caden Block, a senior student athlete at Hastings High School and the winner of the 2023 Content Generation Award. Beyond breaking sports records, Caden discusses his journey into content creation, talking through the experience of creating social media content and telling stories through social channels. Inspired by the Mentoring Works program, Caden recognized the power of storytelling and used it as a driving force in his award-winning video, centered around an important theme: making an impact. Leading up to this endeavor, his passion for sports reached new heights through media classes, content creation, and the willingness to dig deeper when it comes to capturing the essence of the game. Caden’s commitment to immersive storytelling has left a mark on his school and community, in addition to influencing his own life and career aspirations. He is an incredible example of the inspiration and passion that lies within every student, waiting to be empowered with opportunity.
High-school student Drew Colling discusses his journey as a content creator. Drew’s forte is sports broadcasting and announcing, where he brings a captivating and enthusiastic style to play-by-play announcements. As a member of his school’s multimedia team, he creates social media content for his school in a collaborative team environment alongside other students. With the help of Class Intercom’s software, Drew and his team produce a wide range of both live and pre-scheduled content. With aspirations to pursue sports media in college, Drew’s perspective as a content creator has evolved, prompting him to think critically about the messages he conveys and their contribution to each post as well as the way he collaborates with other students to cover the stories most pertinent to his school’s audience. You don’t want to miss Drew’s unique perspective.
In this episode, we're joined by Josh Sauer, seasoned school communications expert and current Director of Solutions Engineering at Finalsite. His experience as a K-12 PR professional, his role in the Oklahoma School PR Association, and his position as a board member of the National School PR Association (NSPRA) all serve as evidence of his deep passion for kids, education, and storytelling. Josh’s approach to storytelling in schools is both heart-driven and data-informed, turning everyday stories into compelling narratives. He derives his content from various sources, including his meaningful relationships, Chat GPT, and thorough keyword research. Don't miss Josh's insights into the evolving landscape of school PR, particularly the role of artificial intelligence and the importance of balancing it with authentic, humanized content.
Marketer Morgan Hobbs and Social Media Manager Nina Sobotka join us to share insights on the fast-paced and exciting world of semi-professional sports. This includes insights from their experiences in building and managing fan bases, navigating the unique challenges of social media, and producing authentic and engaging content about players, teams, leagues, and sports as a whole. They emphasize the importance of finding balance between organic and sales-focus content, as well as avoiding oversaturation. Despite the glamorous image that the social media industry gives off, Hobbs and Sobotka say it’s an industry that requires thick skin and an attentive attitude. You don’t want to miss this discussion pointed discussion about shareable content and the challenges and rewards of an often misunderstood industry.
Attorney Bobby Truhe from KSB School Law discusses the increasingly urgent need for legal expertise in the education sector. Following his first year of law school, Truhe gravitated toward school law, hoping to feel a genuine sense of making a difference. The post-pandemic era has brought about a surge in controversy, difficult conversations, and varying opinions, making his expertise and experience even more critical. In this episode, Bobby emphasizes the significance of gaining public trust, finding effective ways to deliver messages, and defending schools’ decisions. We’ll also talk about proactive strategies, First Amendment considerations, navigating gray areas, and leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT legally and compliantly. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on empowering schools and the important role school attorneys play in ensuring a better educational future.
Running point on social media for a school, business, side hustle, or even personal accounts can feel like a 24/7 job. Andrea Gribbel would know. Her team at #SocialSchoolforEDU works with schools all over the country to help them craft content for their social channels. And over the years, she’s learned a ton about how to not only do school social media, but how to do it well (without losing your sanity)! Her latest book is a collection of tips, tricks, and insights aimed at helping schools share the amazing stories that celebrate their students and staff–without getting burned out! In this episode, she stis down with us to talk about the craft of social media and school communications, and the systems, processes, tools, tips, and ideas schools need to succeed at social.
Communications strategist, podcaster, and friend Justin Dearing offers his unique perspective from transitioning from sports broadcaster to teacher to now working with schools all over the country through CESO (the Center for Effective School Operations) to tell incredible student stories. Justin brings a wealth of experience to the table. Formerly a teacher for seven years, he understands the importance of empowering student voices and telling school stories. Through his diverse experience, one thing remains: The importance of developing genuine relationships centered on trust. Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion from one of the most profound voices in school PR.
Sharing the story of her unique career trajectory, NSPRA President and seasoned school communications leader Cathy Kedjidjian talks about the state of school communications and the school PR community, plus how she approaches serving her peers, team, and community. This includes considerations like accessibility and breaking down barriers, but also collaborating with others in a way that impacts people, lives, and relationships. With an eye toward storytelling, connection and balance, Cathy talks about the importance of mental and physical health and wellness, navigating political landscapes, building meaningful relationships, and connecting diverse communities in this episode of the Content Generation Podcast.
The Content Generation Podcast is back and better than ever! From storytelling and advocacy to representation, digital formats, and new channels, content is everywhere. This season, we’re leaning into collaboration, tapping innovative change-makers from a variety of disciplines to share their unique perspectives on all things content.
The Content Generation is a movement powered by passionate people and powerful technology on a mission to make social media a force for good. The community behind this movement includes students, educators, community leaders, innovators, builders, and doers of all types. The Content Generation Podcast is an important avenue for sharing their stories and empowering others to join the conversation. Welcome to season two!
A storyteller by nature, Erin McCann is fascinated with telling the stories of Public Education. A product of Texas Public Schools, Erin joined the School PR world in 2015 and currently works for Allen ISD in Allen, Texas as the Director of Digital Marketing and Media. During this episode, we spoke with Erin about her career journey and the current challenges among school PR professionals.
You can connect with Erin on Twitter and be sure to check out her podcast, School PR Happy Hour.
During this episode, Ben and Amber discuss some of the Do's and Don'ts of Digital Leadership in the new normal.
For more information, please visit Class Intercom for additional discussion questions.
During this episode, Amber and Ben discuss why self care is important and how it leads to better creativity and content during the new normal of COVID-19.
During this episode, Ben and Amber discuss what best practices look like when it comes to digital citizenship and lessons learned during COVID-19.
During this episode, Amber and Ben discuss the challenges that schools are facing in light of COVID-19 and how being social at a distance is not just a recommendation but a rallying cry.
Last week our team traveled to Austin and Chicago to attend the TSPRA conference and IDEACON conference. During this episode, we share what we learned while attending these amazing conferences.
One of the largest School PR conferences, the Texas School PR Association conference provided room for great conversations about social media. School districts from across Texas engaged in round tables, sessions and some inspiring keynotes sessions. A highlight was listening to our friends at the School PR Happy Hour Podcast who provided a session about how they are both demonstrating excellent student-led social media, but also were recognized for the "Bright Idea" award for supporting school PR professionals.
At IDEA Con, the marquis conference for the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, we enjoyed great conversations with technology professionals and their role to secure, manage and administrate technology in their districts. We enjoyed conversations with technology professionals seeking to check boxes for solutions like archiving and administrators who are seeking to share the load of creating social media content.
PJ Caposey is a dynamic speaker and a transformational leader and educator. PJ began his career as an award-winning teacher in the inner-city of Chicago and has subsequently led significant change in every administrative post he has held. PJ became a principal at the tender age of 28 and within three years was able to lead a small-town/rural school historically achieving near the bottom of its county to multiple national recognitions. After four years, PJ moved to his current district, Meridian CUSD 223, as superintendent and has led a similar turnaround leading to multiple national recognitions for multiple different efforts.
PJ has written 7 books for various publishers and his work has been published online for sites such as ASCD, Edutopia, and the Huffington Post. He works in the Education Department of two universities and in a myriad of capacities with the Illinois Principal’s Association including Principal Coach and author of the first complete stack of MicroCredentials offered in Illinois.
During this interview, we discussed how PJ's career journey led to building a personal brand, how he would have handled things differently and why he continues to create content as a practitioner.
Be sure to follow him on Twitter.
Jen Randall is a 17-year veteran of the high school classroom. She started as a choral and show choir director and now travels the country hosting clinics, consulting and judging competitive show choir. In recent years, she has gone back to her journalistic roots, and now teaches Digital Media and produces KDGN (broadcast channel) for Carroll ISD in Southlake, TX.
Using her background in stage performance and knowledge of social media, Randall and her co-teacher Natalie Brown, are working to create a digital and print media department that prepares their students to be a part of the future of news production on all platforms.
During this interview, we spoke with Jennifer about social media, content creation and how she's inspiring the next generation of content creators.
You can follow her student’s work on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat: @slcdragonmedia
During this episode, Taylor and Amber breakdown highlights from 2019 and discuss what you can expect from Class Intercom in 2020.
Resources Mentioned:
- Webinar: Five 2020 Trends for Social Media in Education: What Educators are Saying
- 12 Days of Content
Be sure to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @ClassIntercom.
Sydney Jensen, a Georgia native, is a ninth-grade English teacher at Lincoln High School in the epicenter of America's heartland: Lincoln, Nebraska. Lincoln is one of the nation's top cities for refugee resettlement, and students at Lincoln High speak more than 30 languages. Jensen also serves as an instructional coach working with new and veteran teachers to provide instructional support and mentorship. In recognition of her work in the classroom and the school community, Jensen is the 2019 Nebraska Teacher of the Year.
She is a passionate advocate for increased mental and emotional wellness supports for both students and the teachers who serve them. She recorded an official TED talkon the impact of secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue on teachers who work with students experiencing trauma. Her talk received over 700,000 views in less than a week.
Jensen earned her BsED in English Education from the University of Georgia in 2013, and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Doane University in 2020.
During this interview, we spoke with Sydney about her recent TED talk, student content creation and digital citizenship.
If you want to connect with Sydney, you can follow her on Twitter, Instagramor visit her website. You can also view her TED talk here.
Christopher Aumueller is the CEO and founder of Fanword, a storytelling company for sports teams.
During this interview, we spoke with Chris about his career journey and what led him to creating a company focused on storytelling. As a former Division 1 tennis player, Chris has a unique perspective regarding student athletes and social media use.
Be sure to follow Fanword on Instagram,Twitter, andFacebook.
During this episode, Taylor and Amber discuss why student generated social media is important for schools to consider.
Resources Mentioned:
- Social Media Trends In Education Report
- Simple Design For Your School's Social Media Webinar
Be sure to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @ClassIntercom.
Whether it involved short films or sports talk radio, Justin Dearing has been telling stories as far back as he can remember. Justin is a former high school Film and Radio Production teacher turned School PR professional. Currently, Justin is the Assistant Director of Communications for Carroll ISD in Southlake, Texas and co-hosting the podcast "School PR Happy Hour”, a podcast geared towards professionals in school communications. When he is not telling the story of Carroll ISD or working on his latest podcast episode, Justin can be found either at his daughter Kinleigh’s soccer games, watching Parks and Rec with his wife Caty, or researching player stats for the most over the top fantasy baseball league he has been entrenched in for the past decade.
During this interview, we spoke about what led Justin to working in school PR and how he carves out time for content generation. We also spoke about what digital citizenship means to him as a school PR professional.
To learn more about Justin, you can follow him on Twitter and check out his podcast, School PR Happy Hour.
During this episode, Taylor and Amber discuss highlights from the previous podcast episode, Taylor shares his takeaways from the Digital 4 Good Conference, and you'll hear about some exciting things happening at Class Intercom this fall!
Mitch Fisher is a student, content creator and social media enthusiast. Mitch is currently a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in advertising and public relations with a minor in theater. In fact, Mitch was first introduced to Class Intercom when he was in high school. During this interview, Mitch and I discussed:
- How spreading positive messages has been the key to his success on social media.
- How to deal with negative feedback online.
- How to find and recruit students for your school's social media team.
You can connect with Mitch on Instagram, Twitter and listen to his music here.
Be sure to check out his podcast, The Creatives Podcast.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @ClassIntercom.
During this episode, Taylor and Amber discuss how to implement a social media content calendar at your school.
Resources from this episode include:
- I Can Help Digital For Good Conference
- How To Create A Social Media Content Calendar For Your School
- Class Intercom Webinar Directory
Be sure to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @ClassIntercom.
During this episode, we sat down with Heather Callihan, Stephanie Dannehl, and Amanda Dykes to hear what they have been learning at #ISTE19. We also got to hear more about what they are creating and how they are inspiring the next generation of content creators. Special thanks to these educators for taking time out of their busy schedules at ISTE to chat with us!
During this episode, Taylor and Amber discuss what's new at Class Intercom and how educators are becoming social media influencers.
Takeaways from this episode include:
1. Teachers have always been influencers with or without social media. Social media has made it easier for teachers to connect with each other, their students and parents.
2. Teachers can leverage their personal brand to elevate their school’s brand. Teachers who are building personal brands can use their influence to highlight the school in a positive way.
3. If teachers are encouraging their students to be good digital citizens, teachers should model this by creating meaningful content and contributing to the conversation in a positive way. This can help build more trust with students and it gives students a positive role model.
As a content and marketing specialist for Social Assurance, Alexander Lahargoue focuses on creating strategic content to help clients grow and sell online. In his free time, he writes suspense novels, cooks and is currently learning new languages.
During this interview, we spoke with Alexander about how he creates meaningful content as a financial marketer and author.
You can find Alexander's book here or connect with him on Linkedin.
Micah Yost is the Founder and President of Method Mark, a marketing agency based in Omaha, NE. . During this episode, Micah and I discussed what led him to starting Method Mark and what advice he has for teachers influencing the next generation of content creators.
You can connect with Micah on Twitter.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Jill Johnson is in her third year as the Vice Principal at Seward High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in language arts education (UNK ‘91), master’s degrees in instructional technology (PSU ‘00) and educational administration (CUNE ‘17), and she is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership through the University of Nebraska. She spent 17 years in the classroom and three years as a Professional Development Consultant at Educational Service Unit 6 before moving into her current role. She is married to Brady, and they have four children.
During this conversation, we spoke with Jill about building a social media team at her schooland why it's important for everybody to build a digital footprint.
You can connect with Jill on Twitter and be sure to follow Seward Public Schools here:
Facebook: Seward Public Schools
Twitter: @SewardBlueJays
Instagram: @shsbluejays
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Matt Will is a Software Architect and Dev Lead at Don't Panic Labslocated in Lincoln, Nebraska. During this conversation, we spoke with Matt about his career journey and how digital citizenship applies to software development and content creation.
You can connect with Matt on Twitter or Linkedinand connect with Don't Panic Labs on Twitterand Facebook.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Michelle Welch is a Registered Dietitian and the District Wellness Facilitator at Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, Nebraska. During this episode, we spoke with Michelle about how she creates content for multiple audiences and how she applies digital citizenship when sharing health and wellness information on behalf of her school district.
You can connect with Michelle on linkedinand Twitter. You can learn more about LPS Wellnessand follow them on Twitter.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Erik Miller is a Nebraska-born kid who grew up being told he was unique and ‘artsy.’ He followed every unique and artsy 18-year-old's dream and went to college to study business. After college, Erik got married and joined the circus. Actually, he and his wife went into full-time college ministry (Although, his parents weren't sure how that was different than the circus). During that time, he learned a lot, grew a lot and designed a lot.
After having a bunch of kids, Erik finally settled down and got a "real job" as a creative director. He now operates his own company called StoryHook- a non-traditional marketing and advertising studio in Lincoln, Nebraska.
During this interview, we spoke with Erik about his non-traditional career path and what it takes to craft a good story. You can connect with Storyhook on Facebook and Instagram.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
The new year often brings new content ideas. During this episode, the team at Class Intercom reflects back on 2018 and discusses what you can expect in 2019 when it comes to content strategy and marketing ideas.
Want to learn more about Class Intercom? Click HERE.
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Aaron Babcockhas called Nebraska home for nearly 25 years after attending the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communication. Aaron has enjoyed a 20-plus year career in athletics, where he has worked at UNK, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and as Director of Public Relations for the Kansas City Royals. He also served as a consultant for the New York Yankees for seven years. Today Aaron is a senior account executive at Husker IMG Sports Marketing.
During this interview, we spoke with Aaron about his love for photography and how teachers can help inspire students to create better images.
You can follow Aaron on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.
Michelle DeRusha is an author, free-lance writer and content creator. She blogs at MichelleDeRusha.com and is the author of four books. During this episode, we spoke with Michelle about the writing process and how she stays organized.
You can connect with Michelle on her blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Danielle Chaney is Nebraska-based copywriter and strategist who has helped a variety of small and large companies increase awareness of their brand/product(s), grow target audience(s), and generate sales using traditional and digital channels. She is currently the Content & Client Strategy Manager at Social Assurance, a financial software and marketing company located in Lincoln, Nebraska. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling. You can find her onTwitterand LinkedIn. Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
During this episode, I spoke with Taylor Siebert and Ben Pankonin, the founders of Class Intercom about #DigCitWeek and what this week means for Class Intercom. We also highlighted how our heroes in education are celebrating #DigCitWeek and what you can look forward to this fall from Class Intercom.
Resources mentioned:
- Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Week
- Josh Allen's episode
- Heather Callihan's episode
-
GINWVikings Digital Citizenship Week 2018
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Heather Callihan has worked in the field of education for over 21 years and today is the Technology Integration Specialist for Northwest Public Schoolsin Grand Island, Nebraska. In addition to serving as the NETABoard president, she is also a Common Sense Certified Educator and Ambassador. Heather believes learning needs to be visible and students need to master skills involving collaboration, creation, communication and critical thinking. Heather has a passion for sharing the importance of contributing to digital communities and the impact of digital leadership with students and adults.
During this episode, we spoke with Heather about having a creator vs. consumer mindset and how "digital safety" has evolved into "digital citizenship." Heather shared about how she uses Class Intercom to encourage content creation while safely moderating student generated content. You can connect with Heather on Twitter.
Check out what Northwest Public Schools is doing on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Gretchen Garrison is a teacher, blogger and author. Starting her blog, Odyssey Through Nebraska, came about when she realized that not all area families were exploring the Nebraska places that she and her kids tended to frequent. Detour Nebraska is Gretchen's book which inspired by her blog and was published last year.
During this conversation, I spoke with Gretchen about her blog, her book deal and what advice she has for creating meaningful content.
You can connect with Gretchen on Facebookand Twitter.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Josh Allen is the Technology Integration Specialist for Lewis Central Community Schoolsin Council Bluffs, IA. In addition, he manages the LewisCentralCSD social media profiles for the district. He is a former president of the Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA) and co-host of the Dads in Ed podcast.
During this episode, I spoke with Josh about his role at Lewis Central Community Schools and how interns at his school are creating meaningful content.
You can find Lewis Central Community Schools on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram. Be sure to follow Josh on Twitterand subscribe to his podcast.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Kelly Mosier is the current Head of Programming for in the media division at Hudl, a sports software company that build’s coaching and evaluation tools to help teams win. In that role he helps guide the original content and builds the strategy for Hudl to engage with their users and a large community audience on social media as well as inside of the Hudl platform.
Prior to Hudl, Mosier was the Assistant Athletic Director for Creative and Emerging Media at the University of Nebraska Athletic Department where he oversaw the development of a staff of creatives to help guide Nebraska’s efforts in fan engagement and recruiting across Nebraska’s 23 varsity sports. The Creative and Emerging Media Department oversaw video and graphic design elements with a digital first emphasis for engaging the 13-34 demographic.
Mosier also served as the Production Coordinator at HuskerVision where he served as a senior producer for Nebraska’s football, men’s basketball, volleyball and baseball game day and TV show productions.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Mosier also received his Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications where he researched the early days of Twitter as a sports community that fans used to engage with their favorite teams.
During this episode, I spoke with Kelly about his career journey, digital citizenship and what advice he has for students about creating meaningful content.
You can find Hudl on Facebook, Instagramand Twitter. And you can connect with Kelly on Twitterand Instagram.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitter and Instagram.
Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Michaella Kumke has a passion for nonprofit communications and human services. In early 2015, she joined the amazing team at the Food Bank of Lincolnwhere she works as the communications director. Through a variety of marketing channels, Ms. Kumke brings attention to food insecurity in Southeast Nebraska.
Since graduating from UNL in 2003, Ms. Kumke has worked in the nonprofit sector as a communications and marketing professional. She has previous work experience with some of Lincoln’s best-known and beloved nonprofit organizations, including: NET (Nebraska’s public radio and television networks), Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, and Lincoln Children’s Museum.
During this episode, Michaella and I discussed her career journey and how listening helps all of us to create better content.
You can connect with the Food Bank of Lincoln on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram. You can connect with Michaella on Twitterand Instagram.
Garrett Hope is a composer, podcaster and teacher. Garrett was born into a family that valued and practiced music daily. His mother was a primary school music teacher and children’s choir director. As a result Garrett has been performing on stages of various sizes and in front many different audiences since he was toddler. Garrett studied piano, clarinet, guitar, and bass as he was growing up. Though he tinkered with sequencing and song writing it wasn’t until he began studying composition at university that he found his musical passions—composition and teaching. Uncovering these passions led to the completion of graduate degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Garrett has taught composition, music theory, music technology, and ear training as adjunct faculty at several institutions, but after completing his DMA Garrett taught as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Pennsylvania. Returning to Lincoln after teaching in PA has allowed Garrett to focus on composing new music for film, dance, choir, and band; coach and mentor composers building careers in composition; teach as adjunct at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; and to teach guitar, bass, composition, theory, and piano at Harris Academy of the Arts. He loves working with dancers, artists, scientists, film makers, and music teachers.
During this episode, I spoke with Garrett about composing, content creation and how he applies digital citizenship to music.
You can connect with Garrett on Facebook or Twitter.
Tiffany Verzal is co-founder of V2 Content based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Tiffany is primarily a producer and editor, but is passionate about telling stories. During this episode, we spoke about Tiffany's career journey and the type of content she and her husband produce including a show for Fox Sports.
You can connect with Tiffany on Twitter or Instagram.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitterand Instagram.
Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
During this episode, I spoke with local meteorologist and social media expert, Rusty Dawkins.
Rusty is currently the Social Media Manager at the Arbor Day Foundation. We spoke about the early days of social media and how he works with a team to create meaningful content for the Arbor Day Foundation.
You can follow Rusty on Twitterand Facebook.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Twitterand Instagram.
Subscribe to the Content Generation podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Class Intercom’s cofounders share their stories of helping students to become content creators for their school. Taylor Siebert and Ben Pankonin knew they wanted to make an impact by helping educators to get students involved, while improving school communication.
Be sure to follow Class Intercom on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Welcome to the Content Generation Podcast. A Podcast focused on inviting, influencing and inspiring a generation of content creators.