When I was an administrator in a public school system, one of my end of the year evaluations showed my 'area to improve' to be communication. I followed the plan we built around providing more information, especially with our elected officials, to the best of my ability.

The next year, my evaluation scores found me to be guilty of "sharing too many details". No one really wanted a four-page up-date every Friday, it seemed. Both evaluations were absolutely correct, because I was focusing on one-way communication. I knew better, but I didn't know how to DO better.

I share this because it is the nature of the work we do as public-school educators. We know all the acronyms, we know what a proficient student 'looks' like, and we want all students to excel. We do not always know how to communicate that to our community, our parents, our teachers and our staff members. Remember, everyone in our communities went to school, had a teacher, ate a school lunch. Knowing how to engage in meaningful communication takes practice.

During this event, held on February 7, 2023, we will have two superintendent nominated leaders who will share their work with us. Caroline Corrigan will help us deal with the media and how you can create a communication plan that builds your confidence. Ms. Corrigan comes to us from the world of television, and she knows about deadlines and soundbites. She will be your guide into the world of mass media. Lisa Trail came to her system from the world of health care. She is the person you want to guide your planning for the daily communication struggles you have in your schools or office.

Both presenters will help you navigate the world of social media, sound bites, and a sudden microphone in the face during a bus loading for kindergarteners. We all want to be prepared, practiced, and fully involved in the effective communication needed to engage families in K-12 Schools in 2023.

***4 TASL CREDITS APPROVED***