Social Media Mind Shift


I'm proud to teach in Howard County Maryland. We are a rich tapestry of many threads that reflect the global community and complexity that is the Washington DC Metro area.
 
Warning, this post might load slowly because of a lot of embedded cool social media! 
A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on



Being Fabulously Diverse Since 1997! 

 Our kids are delightfully multicultural and come from diverse family backgrounds. Some kids live in 500K houses, and some live in apartments, townhouses, homeless shelters and mobile homes. We have 35% free & reduced lunch- one of the highest in our county.

 Before Social Media I used to say we were the best kept secret in Howard County. Because, when people visit from the other side of the county, they're always amazed at how shiny, beautiful, bright, and of the positive school vibe that's a palpable atmosphere in the hallways! Now, because of social media, we don't have to be a secret!

When Sharing on Social Media Remember to:
Be Passionate
Be Positive &
Be Professional

A few words of wisdom when professionally sharing on social media. Never vent about school frustrations via social media! Don't Tweet yourself out of a job. This changing the world, changing a mind means to be positive at all times!


I LOVE the vibrant and rich tapestry of of our school, with many interesting cultural threads that include kids from many nations and living experiences! My kids are bright, inquiring, daring, and decidedly FUN!


But somehow, someway, from the very first day we opened, we've gotten reputation in our district as being a "rough" or "tough" school compared to the other affluent zip codes and schools in our county. I prefer and celebrate diversity!

 Social Media Can Shift Minds. And it's FREE.

I passionately believe that part of our job (as educators and librarians) is to sing the praises of the great things that our kids do,  and the amazing things that go on every day in our schools.

 Using Twitter, Vine, Instagram, whatever suits your fancy, just share! I do this for our Daring School Library Media Center, but I also applaud and try and show the other great things that I see throughout the building. We all have our cell phones handy, don't be too shy to share! And it's FREE! Doesn't cost a dime!
 
From MHMS Peter Pan Production: 3 Pretty Fairies! 
 
A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on
 
Here are some of my MHTV camera guys getting into our cultural Tuesday song! This was not rehearsed, it just happened!  Lucky I had my phone handy!


 
Project Based Learning with Social Media: We even sometimes create cool products for ELA classes. This is an example of  Persuasive Political Vines related tot the 7th grade ELA book - Before We Were Free, that we did last year with some of our kiddos. Love how Vine makes it easy to do many quick cuts and still frames - all with a tap tap! 
UPDATE: RIP Vine.
-- 
 
Here's Mr. Mark Dunbar & our GT Advanced Film production kiddos on their way to the theater for the Environmental Film Festival!
A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on
Here are some of our kids at the farm!  


Leverage the Power of Social Media 

I blogged about this before, Say YES! To a School Instagram. But, no matter what you do or which social media avenue you choose - share the amazing, varied, and great things that go on every day in your school! Shout out often the positive!

The More the Merrier!
Try and encourage as many teachers as possible in your school to
share the awesome! The more voices out there highlighting the
positive, the better for the kiddos and the school! Parents love to see positive. The community needs to see the positive, so don't forget to hashtag your district! (I forget this sometimes!) Ours is #HoCo, or #HCPSS - UPDATE 9/16: Now this amazing, oh so positive, & smart  #CelebrateHCPSS hashtag celebrating all great things our district! 
Don't forget to Tag your PTA,  tag your subject area, tag your Superintendent, and Tag your principal or school!

 I confess, I always get SO excited and honored when my principal Mr. Josh Wasilewski retweets, favorites, or mentions on of our shares or something about our Daring School Library Media Center!
And  it's also nice to thank some AWESOME PTA parents who make an splendid lunch for you!

Inspiration Credits!  



"We have the power to shift the mindset of those in the public sector if we shout out the great things that kids do in our schools" everyday.  --from The Power of Branding: Telling Your School's Story by Tony Sinanis, ‎Joseph Sanfelippo

 I found this amazing quote and was SO inspired by it, through a great presentation called Social Media for Schools by Silvia Tolisano (@langwitches)

 I was inspired also to write this blog after an earnest conversation with one of our amazing parents and MHMS PTA President, Mrs. Thalia White. Thank you for your generosity towards our school, your commitement to our kiddos, unflagging support & enthusiasm.

Your turn! I invite you to give your ideas in the comments! 

Resources: 

10 Things to Think About Before You Post

Vine Video Book Trailers

Persuasive Political Vines

 

 



Comments

  1. John CarryOctober 15, 2022 at 2:27 PM

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