Social Media Training for K12 Schools
Social Media for Schools Retreat
Second Annual Social Media for Schools Retreat
Stillwater, Minnesota | June 23-25, 2026
Reconnect. Recharge. Reignite.
Get ready for the ultimate social media professional development experience designed just for school communicators. Whether you’re a team of one or part of a full comms crew, the Social Media for Schools Retreat is your chance to step away from the day-to-day and dive deep into the tools, tactics, and trends shaping K12 storytelling today.
What Makes This Retreat Different?
Expert-led sessions focused on school social media and AI
Hands-on work time built right into the schedule
Small group discussions with people who get your challenges
Delicious food, fun activities, and meaningful connections
Beautiful Stillwater, MN setting, where historic charm meets modern creativity
Real Results from Attendees
“Not only did I have an outstanding three days of learning, but I gained something even greater than all the direct knowledge in my field. I gained the excitement and confidence to apply it, and the network of friends and colleagues available to each other for positive support.”
– Michele Miller
District Communication Specialist
Marshall Public Schools, Wisconsin
NEW for 2026: Using AI in Your Role & Students as Storytellers
We’re diving into two of the hottest—and most practical—topics in school communications:
- AI in your role: We’re thrilled to welcome Rebecca Bultsma, an AI expert, speaker, and school communications professional, as our keynote speaker. You’ll leave with actionable tools and a whole new confidence in using AI effectively in your work.
- Students as storytellers: With limited time and resources (hello, departments of one!), it’s critical to involve students in content creation. You’ll gain strategies, systems, and real-world examples for empowering students to share authentic school stories.
- Social media essentials (and beyond): We’ll also cover the fundamentals you rely on—content planning, best practices, video training, and more—to ensure your social media efforts are effective and sustainable.
What’s Included?
- All main stage sessions with actionable training
- Lifetime access to resources and recordings
- Small group collaboration and coaching built into the agenda
- Gold Mine roundtables for rapid-fire learning and idea sharing
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages each day
- Optional social activities and time to enjoy Stillwater’s local flavor
Who Should Attend?
- School communication professionals
- District or building-level content creators
- Superintendents, tech leaders, or admins passionate about storytelling
- Anyone responsible for telling your school’s story online
Registration is Now Open!
This retreat is limited to just 125 attendees. We will sell out again, so don’t miss your chance!
Cost
$500 per person
Schedule at a Glance
- Monday, June 22: Optional evening social gathering
- Tuesday, June 23: Full day of learning, collaboration, and work time
- Wednesday, June 24: Full day of learning, collaboration, and work time
- Thursday, June 25: Morning session, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Hotel Accommodations
We’ve secured a special hotel block at three convenient Stillwater locations—each just a short walk from the conference venue. Attendees must call the hotel directly to book their reservation and mention the block name, “Social Media for Schools“. Rooms are limited, so book early!
Hotel Crosby – $229/night + tax
232 Main St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
https://hotelcrosby.com | (651) 967-7100
Water Street Inn – $189/night + tax
101 Water St S, Stillwater, MN 55082
https://waterstreetinn.us | (651) 505-6640
Lowell Inn – $160/night + tax
102 2nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
https://lowellinn.com | (651) 439-1100
Ready to Reserve Your Spot?
General registration opens Monday, September 15—and with limited spots available, this exclusive event will sell out fast!
Attendees Loved This Retreat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find more information?
This flyer provides detailed information about what to expect. We will also be updating this website as more information becomes available.
How is this retreat different from other conferences?
There are many school PR conference options. We love them all! Our event is different in that it focuses only on social media. You have many responsibilities, and larger conferences feed into all of those, but this retreat allows you to have focused time to learn and take action on your social media efforts. While those larger conferences have value, we recognize that there is power in a smaller, more relaxed community setting, where you can focus on a single aspect of your job to truly develop your skills.
Where is this retreat?
Nestled along the scenic St. Croix River, this retreat is being held in downtown Stillwater, Minnesota, at the JX Venue.
123 2nd St N
Stillwater, MN 55082
What is the start/end time each day?
The event will run from 8 am to 5 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday will be 8 am to 11 am.
What is the daily schedule like?
The sessions are structured to allow for teaching/training time, followed by work time to apply what you have just learned. You’ll have small group discussions along with time to work on your own. It’s the perfect blend!
What is on the menu during the conference?
We have some seriously delicious food lined up! A light breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack will be provided on both Tuesday and Wednesday of the retreat. On Thursday, we'll wrap things up with a heartier breakfast to send you on your way.
What does the $500 fee include?
Your $500 registration covers all conference training and programming, plus meals and snacks during the event. A light breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack will be provided on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a hearty breakfast will be served on Thursday morning. Lodging/travel is not included.
What is your cancellation policy if I am unable to attend?
We have a 60-day cancellation policy. If you need to cancel your registration, and let us know before April 23, 2026, and we will issue a refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. If you cancel after that, we will not offer a refund.
How should I get to the retreat?
If you are flying in, Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) is the closest airport (30 miles). From there, you have the option to rent a car or Uber.
What lodging is available?
We’ve secured a special hotel block at three convenient Stillwater locations—each just a short walk from the conference venue. Attendees must call the hotel directly to book their reservation and mention the block name, "Social Media for Schools". Rooms are limited, so book early!
Hotel Crosby – $229/night + tax
232 Main St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
https://hotelcrosby.com | (651) 967-7100
Water Street Inn – $189/night + tax
101 Water St S, Stillwater, MN 55082
https://waterstreetinn.us | (651) 505-6640
Lowell Inn – $160/night + tax
102 2nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
https://lowellinn.com | (651) 439-1100
Are you still looking for presenters?
Yes! We’ll be putting out a call for proposals soon to registered attendees. Stay tuned!
What if I have more questions?
Please email Melissa Marti at thecrew.ss4edu@gmail.com.
Meet our Premier Sponsors & Thought Leaders
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email our team at thecrew.ss4edu@gmail.com.
Training for K12 School Social Media Managers
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