The Content Generation

Épisodes disponibles

5 sur 58

Building a Culture of Storytelling in Schools with Communications Director Derrian Hallas
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we're joined by Derrian Hallas, Director of Communications at the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education in Alberta, Canada. A lifelong resident of the community she now serves, Derrian's role has grown significantly since she first stepped into the division's inaugural part-time communications position. Over the past decade, she has helped build a more intentional and strategic approach to communication. Derrian shares how her work has evolved from day-to-day content creation into leading the division's response during high-pressure moments, including a recent weeks-long teachers' strike that required clear, consistent, and empathetic communication for audiences with differing needs. She also discusses the recognition her team has earned through the national BRAVO! Awards from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education. A key part of Derrian's leadership has been the development of a student media program that continues to thrive amid personal device restrictions in schools. With mentorship from local creatives and Class Intercom's technology, her student team has quickly become a valued part of storytelling. Tune in to hear Derrian's insights on building a culture of storytelling in schools, elevating student voice, and creating communication that is strategic, authentic, and engaging.
--------
27:46
--------
27:46
Why Schools Need Stronger Neighborhood Connections with Robbie Turner of Nextdoor
In the season six premiere of the Content Generation Podcast, we're joined by Robbie Turner, Senior City Strategist at Nextdoor, who's been with the platform since its early days as a startup. Robbie shares how her background in tech and public sector innovation led her to Nextdoor and how that experience helped shape the ways public agencies, and now schools, use the platform to connect with their local communities. In our conversation, Robbie explains how school communicators can use Nextdoor to reach an often-overlooked audience: neighbors who may not have students in school but care deeply about education, safety, and community impact. From promoting district events to educating voters about bond issues, she offers practical tips for building trust, engagement, and support on a platform designed for hyperlocal connection. Robbie also shares insights on how schools can use features like geo-targeted posts, emergency alerts, and events to better serve their neighborhoods while strengthening their district's online presence. She also gives a peek at what's next for Nextdoor's public agency tools and why schools not yet using the platform need to make it part of their communication strategy.
--------
33:13
--------
33:13
The Power of Authentic Video Storytelling in Schools with Jake Sturgis, APR
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we're joined by Jake Sturgis, APR—founder of Captive Media + Consulting and a longtime advocate for video storytelling in schools. Jake shares how his background in broadcast news led him to a meaningful career in school communications, where he's helped districts across the country capture and share stories about students, teachers, and everyday moments that build community. Jake reflects on the shift toward more authentic, unscripted content as audiences navigate a crowded digital space increasingly shaped by polished and AI-generated media. He explains that today's social platforms reward immediacy and realness—and why that's good news for educators looking to get started with video. With his new series, One Take Tuesdays, Jake embraces the imperfections of live-to-camera storytelling and encourages school leaders and communicators to do the same. The conversation also touches on episodic content, time-saving strategies, and why now is the time for schools to take control of their narrative. Jake's message is clear: If you're not telling your story, someone else is—and they're probably getting it wrong.
--------
29:31
--------
29:31
Bridging the Gap Between Athletics & School PR
In this episode of the Content Generation Podcast, we're joined by Emily Worell, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Brent Doty, Athletic Director, at Wawasee Community School Corporation. As Wawasee-natives-turned-department-leads, Emily and Brent know their community well but, like in many districts, communications and athletics haven't always worked in sync. Emily and Brent share how they grew from parallel efforts to true collaboration, sparking the creation of a parent social media ambassador program that's transforming their district's visibility and reputation for the better. What started as a trip to a ParentSquare user conference and a directive to improve their working relationship turned into a mindset shift about revitalizing district storytelling. Realizing the importance of owning the narrative within their community, Emily and Brent reimagined their communication strategy, recentering on Class Intercom and ParentSquare. This clarity led to the launch of a program that empowered selected parents to capture and curate content for spring sports, amplifying the district's voice through trusted, official channels. In this episode, Emily and Brent reflect on how strategic parent engagement has elevated their communications efforts. With defined roles for each platform, families now know where and how to find the information they need when they need it. More importantly, the community feels a renewed sense of ownership and pride in the district's story. Tune in to hear how collaboration and the right tools can shape a stronger, more authentic school story.
--------
30:10
--------
30:10
Monumental Impact: Barbara Hunter on NSPRA & School Communications
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.
--------
26:47
--------
26:47