From One Person to an Army of Storytellers (Conference Call Back - Highly Rated 2026 Conference Session)

Description

This session will highlight how districts can grow their number of storytellers by leveraging students and teachers through classroom curriculum and student-led initiatives. 

You will learn how a school-centered social media initiative can expand both school and District digital presence while providing students with authentic, hands-on learning opportunities. Students discover how social media functions as a communication and engagement tool in an educational setting while developing skills in content planning, photography and videography, caption writing, branding, and digital citizenship. They collaborate to create short-form content that highlights school culture and student life. 

The program delivers measurable benefits. Students gain real-world experience, explore potential career pathways, and build digital portfolios, while the District and school sites receive consistent, student-generated content that increases engagement, visibility, and audience growth across social media platforms. 

About the Presenter: Julie St. Cyr is a communications professional with nearly 30 years of experience in public relations, media relations, and strategic communications. She currently serves as the Communications and Public Information Officer for Ocean View School District, where she leads digital content creation, public engagement, and crisis communication strategy, among other responsibilities. Julie has held key communications roles in both K-12 education and collegiate athletic settings, including Brea Olinda Unified School District and the Big West Conference, where she directed branding, event promotion, and media relations. Her expertise spans website development, social media management, publications, graphic design, and video production. She holds a Master of Science in Sports Management from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Techincal Journalism and Public Relations from Colorado State University. Passionate about storytelling and community connection, Julie brings warmth, professionalism, and precision to every project she leads.