Learn how educators can connect with different audiences so you will not only be heard, you will be remembered. Learn More
Go inside the world of social media to learn its usefulness to educators, with clear direction for policies and participation. Learn More
The famed MediaTalk course — 25 years in the making — teaches you the secrets of pro-active media preparedness and performance. Learn More
David R. Voss, President and Founder of Voss & Associates, has 30 years of experience communicating education and non-profit causes. He knows the field from more than one perspective: as a journalist and broadcaster, as a Governor and Education Commissioner’s press secretary, as Director of Communications for the Florida Department of Education, and as a corporate marketing executive for Apple Computer’s Education Division.
As a consultant to dozens of school districts, non-profit organizations, private businesses and universities, David has produced numerous marketing and public relations plans and trained hundreds of administrators, business executives, political candidates and civic leaders on getting the message out to the right audience. He has helped districts earn millions of dollars for students by passing bond referendums.
His business began as a media relations company, focusing on the MediaTalk training method. As a speech major in college and speechwriter for leaders, he honed his craft and developed Power Behind the Podium. His immersion in the education marketplace fosters heightened sensitivity to the unique challenges educators confront when facing the media.
David provides video instruction for Power Behind the Podium, MediaTalk and Crisis Readiness.
“Voss & Associates has become a powerful partner. We solidified our crisis communication plans; learned to strategically leverage and manage social media; and, built capacity in every school building to tell our story.”
— Michael Duncan, Superintendent, Pike County, Georgia, Public Schools
Kristin Magette has worked more than 10 years as Director of Communications at the public school district in Eudora, Kan., following communications roles in higher education and non-profits. She served on the board of the Kansas School Public Relations Association, including president in 2015-2016. Her pioneering work with Eudora Schools leaders in 2012 to use social media for communications, teaching, and learning, helped position her as a leading voice in the discussion on this ever-changing topic.
Following the release of a video blog on Edudemic in 2013 and the publication of several articles, Kristin was asked to write her book, Embracing Social Media: A Practical Guide to Manage Risk and Leverage Opportunity, published by Rowman-Littlefield in 2014. She is a popular speaker and presenter for the National School Public Relations Association, among others.
Outside of social media, Kristin offers expertise in strategic communications to engage stakeholders, manage crises, lead system changes and build trust through transparency. She holds bachelor degrees in journalism/mass communication and French from Kansas State University.
Kristin is the video instructor for the Navigating Social Media course.
“Kristin Magette provides school districts and teachers a compelling case to explore social media integration, gain better communication strategies with their local communities, and target digital citizenship learning.”
— Dyane Smokorowski, 2013 Kansas Teacher of the Year
Rick J. Kaufman, APR is the Executive Director of Community Relations and Emergency Management for Bloomington (MN) Public Schools. He is a nationally respected consultant, trainer and author on crisis management and communications, having worked in public school systems and emergency management for the past 30 years in Wisconsin, Colorado and Minnesota.
Kaufman co-led the Crisis Response Team to the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999, and continues to provide counsel to school systems managing emergency situations, including San Bernardino Unified School District and Broward County Public Schools.
An 28-year veteran of school communications and public relations, he has provided media relations and crisis management counsel and training to: The U.S. Bureau of Prisons for the Timothy McVeigh execution; the New York Education Commission and New York City Schools following the terrorist attacks in September, 2001; the U.S. Department of Education, FEMA, the Los Angeles Office of the FBI, the Wisconsin Health and Hospital Association; and to numerous universities and state emergency management agencies.
Rick provides instructor guides for the Crisis Readiness course.
“We had back-to-back crises (recently) and I found myself thinking about things Rick has taught me (and many others). Thanks for helping all of us cope with the dark days and look for the hope in tragedy.”
At any time, you may contact the instructor, ask questions and get feedback. The learning becomes relevant to you.
Share information and collect ideas from colleagues taking the course. They may come from your district only or around the country.
The activities allow you to apply your new knowledge through real-life scenarios relevant to the life of a leading educator.
The examples, activities and videos depict situations and scenarios that actually happen in the world of education today.
Short, descriptive videos break the learning into digestible parts, making it fun and easy. Examples of educators in action bring it to life.
Each course contains two assessments and one “mindshift” measurement to ensure successful completion and awarding of credits.
Communication is the vehicle to leadership. Learn to do it well. Designed specifically for school leaders everywhere — whether a rookie, aspiring administrator or a veteran in public affairs — these courses build your confidence, leading to greater performance.
