Every student has a story worth celebrating. Every single one!
Yet when I train school communicators, I often hear this hesitation: “What about students with disabilities? Or those taking an alternative high school path? What about minority cultures within my school community? How do I share their stories? If I highlight them for their differences, is it somehow… wrong?”
My short answer is that you should definitely share stories about ALL of your students.
Of course, you have to do it with tact and respect, and you will see examples in this article about how to do that.
But think about the families who are proud of their kids and want to see them succeed. Consider the educators who care for their students and want to shout their achievements from the rooftops. And the students? They deserve the same opportunity in the spotlight as any other student walking your halls!
From a social media standpoint, these posts are often the most powerful, engaging, and heartwarming stories that you can share all year long.
So the question shouldn’t be whether or not you should share these stories. It should be a wider conversation about how to share them with inclusivity and intention. Let’s have that conversation.
Nothing Builds Community Trust Like Authentic Inclusion
Your community is watching – and they want to see everyone shine. And the truth is that people love schools that showcase a genuine culture of belonging! Inclusion is about representing everyone within your district.
Michelle Harelstad, a special education teacher and parent within the New Auburn School District in Wisconsin, had this first-hand insight to share:
Inclusion is about more than special education—it’s about creating a place where all kids feel like they belong. Some students need support with communication, others might have anxiety or just feel different. When we show what inclusion looks like on social media, we’re not just celebrating one group—we’re educating our whole community. Parents want to see their kids included. Whether they’re in an alternative high school, have a disability, or just walk a different path, every child deserves to be seen. Inclusion isn’t a label—it’s a mindset. And it starts with understanding, openness, and a willingness to celebrate everyone.
So well-said! Inclusion isn’t a one-time action; it’s an ongoing mindset that you can bring to your role and strategy as a school communicator.
Here’s a perspective from someone working full-time in school communications. John Casper is the Communications Coordinator for Winona Area Public Schools in Minnesota and a member of the #SocialSchool4EDU membership program:
Four of our top 10 posts of last school year featured students who were either in our Unified PE program or participating in adapted athletics. I have tried to be very intentional to show the connection between students with differing abilities and the general student body. I am very wary of ‘exploitative inspiration’ and want the content to feel natural.
I appreciate John’s comment about highlighting the connections between all students in the district, and not just separating students into “other” groups.
Now, take a look at just a small sampling of comments on social media, specifically on posts that highlight the types of themes we’re going to dig into, in this article! These should give you the motivation you need to pursue the ideas you’re about to read about.
“At the alternative school, I have had parents say to me that their child has never, ever been recognized, for anything. It has meant so much to our kids.”
“As a mother of 3 now-adult sons, and a former, veteran Special Ed teacher, this made my week! This is seriously the best thing ever and I hope every school in the Valley offers such a wonderful program.”
After a post with students getting glammed up:
“This warms my heart! I have a niece with Down syndrome. Her mom is so good to her. Treats her to spa days like this. She loves it so much.”
After a post about a Deaf volleyball player:
“Having a son in D8 who is also deaf… this just warms my heart!”
“So proud to work in a district that fully embraces inclusion opportunities! These teachers are top-notch! ”
After a post about Native American Heritage Month:
“Wopila tanka. Such a big thank you to everyone who made this happen. The students were exemplary. The native kids for engaging and sharing knowledge, language and cultures… and the bigger Pius student body for embracing and participating with them!!! Visibility is so important and as a Pius alumni… even I felt seen today in a way that was just really powerful. Thank you.”
Unified PE brings together students of all abilities to foster authentic relationships and promote inclusion — not just for one period a day in one classroom, but throughout the school and into the larger community. This was after a post about State send-off to the Unified team:
“This is absolutely amazing! Such a great way to make the team feel so special and supported by their peers. Great work!”
So, are you ready to see some specific examples of inclusion and highlighting ALL students on social media? Let’s get into some real-world stories.
Highlight Classroom Integration
Showcase how students of all abilities learn and contribute through everyday classroom moments, like these schools did beautifully:
Winona Area Public Schools, MN
Educate About the Tools for Success
Technology is amazing! Highlight the adaptive equipment, tech devices, and other specialized resources that help every student thrive in your school.
Chester County Intermediate Unit, PA
Tell Stories About Vocational Training Programs
Highlight student-run programs, such as these coffee carts! This program, run across multiple states, builds real-world job skills while integrating students across the wider district community.
Cherry Creek School District, CO
Kingsway Regional School District, NJ
And here’s another example of how a special high school’s vocational program can be highlighted by simply celebrating a student achievement:
Marshalltown Learning Academy, IA
Showcase Above and Beyond Teamwork
Celebrate the moments when students go the extra mile for each other! Whether it’s teammates learning sign language to include a deaf player or cosmetology students treating hardworking peers to a well-deserved spa day, these two stories showcase how students naturally create inclusive, supportive communities when given the chance:
Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, CO
Hempfield Area School District, PA
Share School Spirit
Capture authentic moments of joy and achievement during school events, showing students competing and celebrating together, like this exciting example:
Madison Central High School, KY
Celebrate All Backgrounds
Honor and educate your community about the rich cultural backgrounds represented in your student body. This is inclusivity at its finest!
Pius XI Catholic High School, WI
Green Bay Area Public School District, WI
Document Special Field Trips
Use social media to spotlight how experiential learning opportunities can be made accessible for your students with diverse needs!
Honor Business / Local Partnerships
Highlight community connections that create real-world learning opportunities for students of all abilities. Here are two excellent examples of top-notch storytelling:
Rally Around Athletic Events
When I reached out to my membership community to find inclusive social media examples, one of the most common examples I found was from athletics. And no wonder! Communities always love learning about competitions when every student has a chance to belong.
Capture the spirit and teamwork of athletic events for all students within your district, like these amazing stories:
Glenbrook North High School, IL
Hempfield Area School District, PA
Sioux Falls School District, SD
MPS Next – Mesa Public Schools, AZ
GGUSDAthletics – Garden Grove Unified School District, CA
Want More Ideas Like These? I’ve Got You Covered!
These nine inspiring ideas are only the beginning of what’s possible when you commit to celebrating every single student within your district. You’re well on your way to discovering the power of authentic, inclusive storytelling!
But you don’t have to figure this all out by yourself. Every single week, I dive deep into tough questions like inclusivity on my podcast, “Mastering Social Media for Schools.” My guests and I don’t shy away from the topics that keep school communicators up at night. We talk about everything from crisis communications to student internships – with plenty of social media tips and tricks to streamline your work, along the way!
Whether you’re looking for fresh content ideas, worried about handling sensitive situations, or just want to hear from your peers, “Mastering Social Media for Schools” gives you the perspectives and practical tips you need to keep moving forward in your job.
Ready to join the hundreds of school leaders who already tune in every week? Subscribe today and never run out of ways to celebrate the amazing stories happening in your school!
