What really happens when a reporter calls your school? What does “off the record” actually mean? And how can principals build positive, professional relationships with local media?
This unique session will be co-led by a practicing principal and a local education reporter, offering perspectives from both sides of the conversation. Together, they will provide practical guidance on communicating with reporters, understanding on-the-record expectations, and proactively telling your school’s story to strengthen community trust.
Participants will learn how newsrooms operate, how to clarify communication boundaries, and how to approach media relationships with professionalism and assumption of positive intent. The session will include real-world examples, scenario discussions, and candid dialogue between school leadership and media perspectives.
Principals will leave with greater confidence, clearer boundaries, and practical tools to put their school in its best light—before, during, and after challenging situations.
