Leadership magazine Sept/Oct 2017 V47 No. 1 | Page 29

ASKED Answered

In focusing on messaging in a digital world , what methods of electronic communications do you use in your job , and how useful / valuable are those methods for you ?
Three leaders in education share their insights . Tell us how you engage at @ acsa _ info .
Robert Martinez Assistant Superintendent ,
Human Resources Fairfield-Suisun USD
Our world has evolved into a social network , and while building and maintaining real authentic person-toperson relationships with people is of paramount importance , as educators and leaders , we must come to grips with the reality that we can extend our reach by using social media and electronic tools . As the assistant superintendent of human resources , I find that I must be adept at using a large number of electronic communications to foster the work that I do for my district . Using Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn and Instagram to promote , recruit for and share the amazing things happening in FSUSD are now part of my daily activities . Why ? Because that ’ s where people are looking for information . As we travel across the nation recruiting teachers , sharing professional development opportunities , connecting others to amazing district personnel , and sharing about the wonders of California , there is no better way to leave an impression with someone than to give them a glimpse of what we do and how we do it . Electronic means of communication help us connect with people . Another great use is in advancing my own professional development , and supporting others with theirs . For example , I host a # Resiliencechat on Twitter that connects people from all over the world . Yes , electronic communications are here to stay . My perception is that people want to be connected , gain insights into how we do things in FSUSD , and via electronic means , even in interviews using Skype or Facetime , we are better able to connect as real people , and be responsive to the needs of potential employees . n
In our digital world , electronic communication has become essential to connect with our varied constituents . In our area , if you want to connect with parents , use Facebook , if you want to connect with students , use SnapChat or Instagram , if you want to connect with teachers use email , and if you want to connect with other like-minded educators , use Twitter . Beyond that , for internal district and school needs , email is the dominant form of communication . However , people are feeling burdened by the overwhelming amount of email we all receive . Because of this , it is imperative to look for other ways to reach people . Texting has become the fastest and easiest way to reach many people . And long gone are the days of a simple text , your message can come through with the use of emojis , gifs and bitmojis . When connecting with parents , we are having success with the Remind . com messaging service , where teachers can
send text messages while keeping their personal cell phone number private . We also use SchoolMessenger for mass notifications via phone message . In an effort to make all communication mobile friendly , some schools are using Smore to create visually appealing school newsletters . There really are so many free ways to improve the look of your newsletters , such as using Canva to create graphics that grab the attention of your readers . And of course , social media is how we share the great work going on in our schools . Lastly , with the rise of Twitter for education professionals , there really is no reason to be isolated , and I ’ d love to connect with others (@ kristymwarren ). While electronic communication is the norm , let ’ s not forget the power of a phone call , a face-to-face meeting or a handwritten note , which are even more valuable in this digital world . n
Kristy Warren Assistant Superintendent , Curriculum and Instruction Plumas USD
Ron Williams Superintendent
Victor Valley UHSD
Electronic communications are vital in today ’ s fast-paced world , and our field is no exception . I receive hundreds of emails daily , and I often send dozens more . Sending and receiving emails is one of the most time-consuming parts of the job for the modern-day educational administrator . Having email on my smartphone makes the task more manageable . Text messaging is another valuable tool for an administrator on the move . Texting is an easy way to get information to and from my team in a timely fashion . I work closely with our public engagement information manager , who manages our Facebook and Twitter accounts . Not only are these accounts a great way to spread positive news about our district , they can also become vital in a crisis . During a wildfire that forced school closures at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year , we tweeted and posted information to Facebook constantly , keeping the public up to date on our decisions in real time . This kind of immediate communication with our stakeholders would not have been possible in the past . Technology has , in many ways , reshaped and redefined the role and responsibilities of today ’ s educational administrator . n
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