School PR Happy Hour

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

School PR Happy Hour


    • Sep 5, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 94 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The School PR Happy Hour podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone in the field of school communication. Hosted by Erin and Justin, two experienced school communicators, this podcast provides a wealth of knowledge and insights that have greatly contributed to my professional development. With their engaging conversations and diverse range of guests, I have learned so much about effective strategies and best practices in school PR.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the wide variety of guests that Erin and Justin bring on. They interview top-notch professionals from across the country who share their expertise and experiences in the field of school communication. This not only exposes listeners to different perspectives but also provides practical advice that can be implemented in real-world situations. The discussions are always insightful and thought-provoking, leaving me with new ideas and strategies to try out in my own work.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its easy-to-consume format. Each episode is around 30 minutes long, making it perfect for listening during a commute or while taking a break. The conversational style of Erin and Justin keeps the episodes engaging and relatable, making it feel like having a casual chat with colleagues who understand the challenges faced in school PR. Additionally, they provide show notes on their website with links to resources mentioned in each episode, which further enhances the learning experience.

    Despite its many strengths, one possible downside to this podcast is that it is primarily focused on school PR professionals. While this makes it highly relevant for those working in this specific field, individuals outside of school communications may find some episodes less applicable to their work or interests. However, considering the targeted nature of this podcast, it is understandable that its content caters mainly to its intended audience.

    In conclusion, The School PR Happy Hour podcast is an exceptional resource for anyone involved in school communication. Erin and Justin's expertise combined with their engaging interviews create a valuable platform for learning and professional growth. Whether you are looking for new strategies, insights from industry experts, or simply some inspiration in your school PR journey, this podcast is a must-listen. I highly recommend it to any school PR pro looking for an easy and enjoyable way to further their professional development.



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    Latest episodes from School PR Happy Hour

    Episode 601 - Welcome to Season Six!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 36:35


    Justin and Becca are BACK for season six of School PR Happy Hour. In the midst of massive change both professionally and personally, the duo has returned to deliver a little "different" style of content this season. Tune in and learn about the changes coming to School PR Happy Hour.

    Episode 517 - School PR and A Seat at the Table

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 53:13


    Sorry for the delay on release of this episode! We knew we wanted to end our season on a high note with a great conversation over the research done by School CEO and NSPRA about School PR's role "at the decision table" in the district's they serve. Justin is joined by Brittany Keil from SchoolCEO to talk all about the data! Thanks for being here!

    Episode 516-Gold Medallion Referendum with Eden Prairie Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 59:05


    Becca sits down and chats referendum with the team from Eden Prairie Schools in Minnesota! Hear all out there award winning election and some of their tips for YOUR next ballot issue!

    Episode 515 - Strategic Communications with Ask CESO!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 50:48


    For the past 9 months, CESO Communications has been hosting monthly webinars on their Youtube channel. This month Justin and Nicole Kirby, APR are bringing that format to podcast. You can learn more about these professional development opportunities on CESO Communications's LinkedIn and X accounts.

    Episode 514 - A Teacher's Perspective with Alex Virlas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 29:12


    Becca and Alex, a teacher in Illinois, talk about the role communications and administration play in the day to day for teachers and how we as administers can step up and help out!

    Epsidoe 513 - Our APR Journeys, Roadblocks and Accountability

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 40:02


    Justin is joined by show co-host Becca Latham and School PR pro, David O. to talk about their APR journeys. All three are in the middle of the process somewhere and wanted to share whats working for them, what worries them and some of the roadblocks we all have faced. This is a bit of a different approach to our usual show. We hope you enjoy the raw uncut feel of this very transparent conversation.

    Episode 512-Communicating Complex Issues with Julie Thannum, APR

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 56:49


    Whether it is closing schools due to dropping enrollment or your community questioning all things finance, we are all dealing with complex issues in School PR. Julie and Justin chat about how to communicate during these times. The main focus of this episode is financial transparency, but many of the ideas shared work with many complex issues. Thanks for being here!

    Episode 511 - Dating a SchoolPR Pro - Valentine's Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 19:18


    As you know we like to flip the script a little around Valentine's Day and feature guests that we may not hear from on the regular. In the past it has been spouses, significant others, or kids of the hosts... Today, we get to meet Becca's boyfriend Keith and hear his thoughts on the stresses of School PR.

    Episode 510 - Staff Recruitment Tactics

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 33:21


    Becca is joined by one of NSPRA's Golden Achievement Award Winners, Jacqueline Paul, Director of Communications with Jurupa Unified School District in California. Jaqueline shares some of the creative approaches her HR and Communications team collaborated on to get GREAT results in staff recruitment! Enjoy!

    Episode 509 - The Hiatus is Over and A Friendly Face Returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 43:28


    Justin is joined by co-founder of SPRHH, Erin McCann to get an update on her life and talk about the similarities and differences between SchoolPR and the Aviation Industry. We hope everyone had a great holiday season and we are pumped for 2024!

    Episode 508 - The Perfect Story with Karen Eben

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 57:43


    Becca is joined by Karen Eber, the author of the recently released book, "The Perfect Story". They take a deep dive into telling stories that inform, influence and inspire. We hope you enjoy this conversation. School PR Happy Hour is officially on hiatus to spend some time with loved ones over the holiday season, but we will be back with more content and more episodes for you on January 15, 2024! Cheers Happy Hour family!

    Episode 507 - Distinctly Human Content with Ben Pankonin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 44:28


    Justin is joined by Ben Pankonin from Class Intercom to talk about a new "job title" in Ben's life and how that is forcing him to look at content... and life... a little differently. With the advances in AI of late, we as School PR Pros have to stay connected to content that is distinctly human. What does that mean and how can we use it everyday? Learn more in this episode. Thanks for being here!

    ai distinctly class intercom ben pankonin
    Episode 506-Relationships, Community and Comparisons with Chris Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 38:21


    Becca is joined by one of her close, non-#SchoolPR friends, Chris Way, to talk about life in a non-profit and how it directly correlates with our industry. This candid conversation is so much fun and so encouraging! One tip everyone should take from the show... Get Screened! Screening saves lives! #AmericanCancerSociety

    Episode 505 - All about Branding and a little about Baseball with Bob Noyed, APR

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2023 51:51


    Justin is joined by his colleague and friend, Bob Noyed, APR, Vice President of Communications for CESO Communications to talk about Branding and how it is vital in a competitive marketplace. Justin nerds out easily on this topic, so be warned, this episode is a bit longer than our usual episode. This episode was also recorded during the first round of the MLB Playoffs, and we can't post this one without saying... Go Rangers!

    Episode 504- The One About AI with Becca Bultsma

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2023 49:25


    Becca is joined today by Becca Bultsma and they are talking EVERYTHING AI and Chat GPT! This topic is a hot one across all of our networks right now. We hope that after you hear this one, you will step outside of your comfort zone and try it out! Thanks for being here.

    Episode 503 - Profiling Like an FBI Agent w/ Sondra Whalen, APR

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 51:27


    We hope you enjoy today's show that takes a bit of a scientific turn. If you are into True Crime or if you are a Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds superfan, today's topic will be one you love! We are talking about profiling and engaging your community like an FBI Agent. This NSPRA 23 session was a trending session around the seminar and we knew we needed to bring on Sondra Whalen, APR to discuss. Thanks for being here!

    Episode 502 - Big Things Ahead: Looking Forward with Trent Allen, APR

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 37:01


    Becca Lathem, the new co-host of the School PR Happy Hour podcast, interviews Trent Allen, the soon to be incoming president of NSPRA. Trent is the Chief of Staff at San Juan Unified School District. He discusses various topics, including his background in school PR, his journey from tech PR to education PR, the recent launch of a new logo and style guide, and his role as the incoming president of NSPRA. The two also spend time talking about next year's big event Seattle! Thanks for joining us!

    pr seattle chief looking forward big things nspra san juan unified school district
    Episode 501 - Welcome to Season 5!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 27:32


    In the Season 5 launch of School PR Happy Hour, hosts Justin Dearing and Becca Latham introduce the new season with excitement and anticipation. They thank their sponsors, Class Intercom and CESO Communications, for their support. Justin expresses his gratitude to Erin McCann APR, the previous co-host, and introduces Becca as the new co-host. They discuss their upcoming plans for the season, including exploring various topics in the school PR industry, featuring guests, and engaging in insightful conversations. The hosts hint at the diverse and engaging content to come, such as discussions on social media, web design, branding, student enrollment, and self-care.

    pr class intercom
    Talkin' Threads on the #Road2NSPRA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2023 36:14


    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

    threads class intercom
    Episode 418 - Season 4 Wrap Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 26:04


    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 417 - Canva can do WHAT?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2023 23:50


    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 416 - Finishing Strong this School Year

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 38:45


    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 415 - "Clear is Kind" - Communicating with Teachers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 51:40


    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!

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 38:20


    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!

    school ai computers competing bff class intercom ben pankonin
    Episode 413 - Podcasting in Schools in 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 40:47


    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 412 - Making an Impact Where You Are

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 66:23


    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!

    making an impact melissa robinette
    Episode 411 - We Heart #SchoolPR!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 34:03


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

    Episode 410 - Staff Recruitment: Strategies and Tactics!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 38:17


    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.

    Some 2023 School PR Predictions!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 32:23


    Are the Robots taking over? Is Short-Form Video here to stay? What happens when no traditional media folks are hanging out in our districts anymore!? 2023 is shaping up to be an interesting year in the School PR world and Justin is talking about with Sarah-Jane Menefee from Rappoport Academy in Waco Texas!

    Special Episode - The Twitter Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 41:45


    SURPRISE! You didn't think we would go on full hiatus with all the craziness on social media! Justin is joined by Nicole Kirby, APR, Andrew Robinson, and Melissa McConnell to talk #AllTheThings Twitter. With the recent purchase and changes of late, brand managers, celebrities, and others are asking if Twitter is still the spot to share their stories. School PR is no different. We hope this discussion helps your district when analyzing where to share your story. During today's episode, guiding questions from the CESO Communication staff is mentioned. You can find this document here. Happy Holidays, School PR!

    Episode 408 - Whats the Big Deal with Reverse Mentoring?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2022 33:31


    Justin is joined by one of his favorite people in the world, Tracy Jentz, APR to talk about mentoring and reverse mentoring. During this episode, you will learn about a new service that NSPRA offers that can help match you with the perfect mentor or mentee! We hope you enjoy this episode and we will be back on January 15 after a few weeks off with our families! Happy Holidays, School PR!

    Episode 407 - What Can We Learn from the Podcast Industry?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2022 40:27


    In the front half of the show, Erin sits down with Brian Bradley to talk about everything from idea generation to talent acquisition for his podcast 90 Degrees South. In the second half of the show, Justin and David Olsen chat about takeaways from that interview that pertain to School PR. We hope you enjoy our second "What Can We Learn From...." episode!

    podcast industry brian bradley david olsen degrees south
    Episode 406 - Instagram Reels and Engagement

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 32:23


    Justin is joined by Melissa Reese to chat about Instagram Reels, Parent/Student Engagement and a small NFL rivalry. (Go Cowboys!) This episode is perfect for the person who is a little skeptical of jumping into the TikToks or the Instagram Reels area of social media!

    Episode 405 - The Communicating Principal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2022 38:46


    Erin is joined by CALSPR Executive Director and TWO-time author Trinette Marquis, APR to talk about her latest book, The Communicating Principal. Trinette will also share some of the different things she learned through her research for this book! This is a great conversation to share with your campus leaders! This month's CESO Top Tip features tips on Crisis Communications from the CESO Communications Team. These tips can be downloaded by visiting bit.ly/CESOTopTip

    Episode 404 - Learning from Campus Administrators

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2022 30:59


    October is National Principals Month and we are excited to have Dr. Ryan Daniel on this month to talk about her focus on communications in her campus community. From internal to external, Dr, Daniel is communicating at a very high level to keep her people informed and excited about the great things happening on her campus! This month's CESO Top Tip comes with a downloadable pdf guide on the KDS Model. Head over to bit.ly/CESOTopTip to get access to this tool!

    Episode 403 - Communicating During Mid-Term Elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 37:42


    Erin is joined by Mandee Puleo, APR to talk about communicating through tense situations both locally and nationally. With Mid-Term elections approaching dive into a communications approach, backed by the RPIE model, that can help unite your community during these potentially divisive times!

    Episode 402 - What Can We Learn From Instagram Content Creators

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 51:00


    This is the first episode in a series this season where we go outside of School PR and pick the brains of some of the brightest folks in other industries. Today, Travis Brown (@travisbrown on Instagram) is here sharing his expertise in content creation and workflow. The second half of the show features a conversation with show favorite Adam Harris on his takeaways from Travis' interview! Two Shows in One Day! Welcome to Season 4!

    Episode 401 - Welcome to Season 4!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 21:29


    Erin and Justin are BACK for season 4 of School PR Happy Hour! This season is about learning from the best in brightest in School PR and industries outside of education. Today's show is a little life update with our hosts and forecasting this incredible season they have planned. We missed you all! We are so happy to be back!

    Season 3 Wrap Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 31:35


    Justin and Erin wrap up another excellent season of School PR Happy Hour. They talk about life updates, their favorite episodes and look ahead at the future of SPRHH. Thank you to our Happy Hour Friends that listened and joined us on the show this season, and a HUGE thank you to Class Intercom for their continued support of the show. Get some rest #SchoolPR, it's summer!

    wrap class intercom
    Declining Enrollment

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 29:11


    For the last regular episode of the season, it's a meeting of the Erins! Erin McCann talks with Erin Gregg of Lubbock ISD about creative comms strategy in a district with declining enrollment. Erin and Justin will have their final episode of the season with a season wrap up on June 1!

    APR Committee with Christy McGee, APR

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 37:27


    Justin is joined by Christy McGee, APR to talk about the important work of NSPRA's APR Committee.

    A history lesson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 41:17


    Join Mary Ellen Rowe as she and Erin talk through some early PR Practitioners and the lessons that we, as School PR Professionals, can learn from them.

    Hugging the Haters with Klein ISD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 32:52


    Justin is joined by Klein ISD's Justin Elbert and Chelsea Ceballos to talk about their presentation from the 2022 TSPRA Conference about Hugging Your Haters! For me, this was the perfect presentation at just about the perfect time. Hope you enjoy!

    Being Strategic in Our Career Choices

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 43:52


    It's been tough for School PR professionals lately and some of our peers are evaluating how they want to spend the remainder of their career. The opportunities for growth, learning and change are endless if you are strategic about the choices you make. Dr. Amanda Holdsworth, APR, joins Erin to talk about her story in #SchoolPR and why she made her choices along her journey.

    Building Students as Content Creators

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 38:12


    Justin is joined by Dr. Jill Johnson from Class Intercom and they discuss the power of building students as content creators!

    Sending love to our School PR Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 34:53


    Happy (belated) Valentine's Day! This year, we knew you needed to feel the love on a more professional basis. Dr. Georgeanne Warnock, Superintendent of Schools in Terrell ISD and one of NSPRA's Superintendents to watch, talks with Erin about the value that School PR practitioners bring to the field of education.

    Episode 309 - Surviving and Thriving in School Communications

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 51:54


    This month's episode is a little different than past episodes. Due to moving, COVID and all the things... Justin JUST got internet in time to post this show. This month, we bring you a recast of the webinar Erin and Justin took part in with our friends from Class Intercom in December. Enjoy the show!

    covid-19 surviving thriving school communications class intercom
    Recruitment Marketing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2022 37:50


    Welcome to 2022! We'd say "Wow! What a year last year was,"but it's becoming redundant at this point. Instead, School PR Happy Hour is looking forward to the work we may all be called to do this year - assist our HR departments in hiring great teachers. Jason Wheeler, CPC, from Garland ISD comes back to the show to share what he focuses on regarding recruitment marketing.

    cpc recruitment marketing jason wheeler garland isd
    Episode 307 - Student Voice and Equity with Jake Sturgis APR

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 36:09


    Justin is joined by Jake Sturgis APR to discuss the Voices Framework he and his team at Captivate Media are working on with districts around the country. This is an important conversation on a very timely topic! Just a reminder, we will be off the air until January 15, 2022 in order to rest up and recharge for the rest of the school year. Happy Holidays School PR

    Virtual Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 42:36


    We love emergent media at School PR Happy Hour, and the chance to talk to one of the Virtual Reality pioneers was too good to pass up! Erin talks with Amber Krasinski about VR, AR and how School PR practitioners can work this media form into K12 schools

    Episode 305 - Becca Latham on Meeting People Where They Are

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 28:15


    Justin and Becca Latham have a candid conversation about the importance of meeting people where they are in times of uncertainty. We hope you enjoy this episode!

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