Strategic Communications For School Leaders

Gunther, McGowan and Donegan draw on their own experiences and those of others in the field, to explain the importance of communication in school leadership. In focusing on the communication process—why it's critical for schools, and how it can be executed well—they make the case that communication must be a primary emphasis for leaders, not an afterthought. In Strategic Communications for School Leaders, the authors provide the insights and skills necessary for understanding the role of communication in educational leadership. They also lay the foundation for helping leaders-and those that aspire to be-create and execute communication plans that help to win the trust of an increasingly skeptical public and provide a means to advocate for schools' appropriate share of scarce resources. Topics addressed in the book include the following: understanding the audiences and their information channels; aligning the school leaders' messages with their educational goals and values; telling stories and using illustrative examples; delivering honest and credible messages (including admitting mistakes); using technology intelligently and appropriately; and creating and adhering to a communications plan.

Why School Communication Matters is an easy-to-use reference for the communication dilemmas that superintendents, principals, and other school leaders face today as they lead faculty and staff, parents and students, neighbors and community leaders. This newly revised edition incorporates the monumental technological changes, including social media that are reframing the way we think and work. The book deals with real life challenges and offers practicable solutions. Demonstrates how school leaders can design effective two-way communication strategies with their own communities—because one size no longer fits all. Draws from some of the best research in school communication and business leadership. Offers a framework of ideas on which school leaders can hang their strategic plans. Examines real challenges—from battles with angry parents to the effective use of data to the management of a major crisis—and links these challenges to larger leadership issues. Includes up to the minute information and fresh statistics on today’s social media and community outreach. Is a boots-on-the-ground field guide of proven strategies to meet the needs of practitioners who work on the front lines Is a reference book for both new and seasoned school leaders Is a textbook for those aspiring to school leadership positions

Gunther, McGowan and Donegan draw on their own experiences and those of others in the field, to explain the importance of communication in school leadership. In focusing on the communication process--why it's critical for schools, and how it can be executed well--they make the case that communication must be a primary emphasis for leaders, not an afterthought. In Strategic Communications for School Leaders, the authors provide the insights and skills necessary for understanding the role of communication in educational leadership. They also lay the foundation for helping leaders-and those that aspire to be-create and execute communication plans that help to win the trust of an increasingly skeptical public and provide a means to advocate for schools' appropriate share of scarce resources. Topics addressed in the book include the following: understanding the audiences and their information channels; aligning the school leaders' messages with their educational goals and values; telling stories and using illustrative examples; delivering honest and credible messages (including admitting mistakes); using technology intelligently and appropriately; and creating and adhering to a communications plan.

Maximum Impact is an affirmation of the importance of communication by America’s local boards of education and superintendents. The book is based on principles developed in our professional roles as authors, a district superintendent, educational researcher, broadcast journalist, public affairs and social media director and government spokesperson. Each chapter - highlighting critical aspects of team communication by boards of education and the superintendent - is grounded in our work and experience. Our belief in communication as a tool for district transformation leads us to focus on dynamics between school leaders and the need to deploy a strategic communication strategy, a first book in today’s literature. We endeavor to help boards of education and superintendents - aspiring, novice or veteran – to recognize the vital nature of communication in the governance and leadership of public education, now and in the future. With the call for more transparency in government, including public education, we offer our primary target audience of school leaders with new principles of communication that will help them to engage the community, employees and stakeholders in helping to make their school district successful!

This book provides a step-by-step guide for best practice communication within schools for parents, governors and the community. Aligned to the National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers, it sets out an ‘inside out’ approach to creating and communicating a compelling vision for schools, building leadership communication skills and supporting the management of day-to-day communications in schools. Packed full of strategies to help attract and retain the best teachers, improve the effectiveness of leadership and management, build the reputation of the school, work with parents and achieve better academic results, this is essential reading for headteachers and school leaders.

Readers of this book will be able to provide effective leadership to transform their school systems in ways that improve student, faculty and staff, and whole-system learning.

Leaders have a tremendous opportunity to embrace social media for teaching, learning, and communicating – and the time is now. This practical guide can help anyone implement social media in a school system, while managing risk. Learn steps to create policy, procedures, and guidelines, as well as strategies to help open the minds of reluctant colleagues. Understand how to use live video, social leadership, and effective monitoring to increase engagement and, ultimately, build trust.

Motivate, persuade, and inspire your school community! A central role of any educational leader is that of an accomplished communicator—one who can relate to diverse communities, promote cooperative interaction, and unify stakeholders around the larger cause of quality education for every student. This sixth volume in the Soul of Educational Leadership series provides innovative ideas on diplomacy and practical strategies for strengthening communications skills. With contributions from top leadership figures like Paul D. Houston, John R. Hoyle, Rich Bagin, and Daniel H. Pink, this resource emphasizes the importance of clear and purposeful communication in gaining support, avoiding misunderstandings, and establishing productive communitywide relationships. Individual chapters demonstrate how readers can: Create dynamic, effective districtwide communication systems Respond to district challenges and issues Use electronic communication tools effectively Secure and increase funding for their schools and districts Increase avenues for informing the public about issues that affect schools and students This insightful book offers all school leaders a rich array of creative, thoughtful communication approaches to empower their leadership and inspire everyone who has a stake in preparing today′s students for tomorrow′s challenges.

Strong campus communication is the foundation of motivated and inspired staff, connected families, supportive community members, and engaged partners. Through stories, best-practice guidelines, and real-world tips and checklists, The Communicating Principal gives school leaders the tools they need to share their vision and transform their campus.

Engaging Employees through Strategic Communication provides a detailed overview of employee communication and its evolution as a tool to drive employee engagement and successful change management. Approaching the subject with the philosophy that internal audiences are essential to the success of any strategic communication plan and business strategy—particularly as they relate to driving change—Mark Dollins and Jon Stemmle give readers a working knowledge of employee communication strategies, skills, and tactics in ways that prepare students for careers in this rapidly expanding field. Providing the tools necessary to evaluate the impact of successful employee communication campaigns, they put theory and cutting-edge research into action with practical examples and case studies sourced from award-winning entries judged as best-in-class by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), PRWeek, and PRNews. The book is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in internal, corporate, or employee communication courses and will be a useful reference for practitioners who want to understand how to carry out effective employee communication engagement and change-management campaigns. Please visit www.engage-employees.com to learn more about the book and its applications.