The question education leaders must now ask is this: Are we helping our students become good citizens in this digital world?” —Kristin Magette

In education, we like to follow a plan. A proven process that will lead to success. We study the material and then turn around and teach it to others.

But what about when what you are doing is brand new? Then what?

Someone has to be daring enough to be a trailblazer. That someone has to be willing to try, to fail, and to try again. That someone may as well be you! Once you gain some traction, others will ask you how you did it.

That’s exactly the journey that Kristin Magette went on with the Eudora Public School District in Eudora, Kansas. I can’t say she was the first school in the history of schools to try out social media, but she did just write an amazing book on the process she followed. Her goal with the book is to help other schools utilize social media to positively impact the community around the school.

“Embracing Social Media: A Practical Guide to Manage Risk and Leverage Opportunity” is a book written by a school leader, for school leaders. She breaks down the process of balancing risk, putting in policy, and fostering continual professional development for the educators responsible for telling the school’s story.

Is there a risk with social media? Yes. But isn’t there also a risk in picking up kids on a school bus? With feeding them lunch? With having them run on the playground? The whole approach is that this risk is balanced with procedures, policies, and expectations. The system for implementing social media is well documented in the book, and Kristin explains how their district came together to create the needed process to make social media a living, breathing part of Eudora.

After talking through the process, the book dives further into social media best practices, teaching and learning through social media and crisis planning. The examples in the text are very helpful, but the links to the actual policies at Eudora are priceless. She shares the board policy, a sample employee guideline, a comment flow chart, social media directory, and much more.

The thing I admire the most about Kristin (@kmagette) is her willingness to share what worked for her with others. She has experienced firsthand the impact that a strong Facebook presence has had in her community and honestly wants others to experience the same.

“Embracing Social Media” is a must-read for all educational leaders, because as Kristin says, “We can’t afford to let our schools be a place that isn’t connected to real life.”

So what are you waiting for? The book is on sale only until August 31st. Grab it for 35% off! Full details here!