Support Staff
Plays Key Role in
Communication Efforts
Members of your school's support family are often among the first people who have contact with students and the public. Taking time to make sure each of those team members is aware of the public relations role they play will go a long way toward creating a positive image for your school.
As school employees, each and every member of a school's family is an authority about the school. So, all employees must be kept informed of positive talking points that can be shared in the wider community.
Be sure to share the bad news with your support staff too. That way, all members of the school family have all the facts and can share accurate information in the community.
Also, remind each of the people on your support team that their "customer-friendly service" attitude will go a long way toward keeping their current "customers" -- students, their parents, and the community -- happy and toward attracting new customers.
Fostering an attitude of teamwork at your school can be accomplished by including support staff members in training, in social events, and by ensuring each of them receives all school messages -- both hard copies and email.
Read more practical tips from George Pawlas…
Pawlas on PR
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Meet Dr. George E. Pawlas
George E. Pawlas has written the book on PR for school principals -- literally! In The Administrator's Guide to School-Community Relations, Pawlas presents a treasury of practical tips and strategies for principals. The book includes hundreds of principal-tested ideas, illustrations, and templates to help you
create successful school newsletters and other communication tools;
use the media to your school's advantage;
enhance parent and family involvement;
work with the community and local businesses;
deal with crisis situations; and
much more.
Pawlas has been an educator for nearly four decades. He has served as an elementary school teacher and principal, a district administrator, and a state education department consultant. Currently he is a professor of educational leadership at the University of Central Florida. In addition, Pawlas has authored dozens of articles and coauthored three editions of a book on educational supervision. He is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences.
George Pawlas's
George E. Pawlas has written the book on PR for school principals -- literally! In 
