Social Media Training for K12 Schools
Social Media for Schools Retreat
Third Annual Social Media for Schools Retreat
Stillwater, Minnesota | June 22-24, 2027
Reconnect. Recharge. Reignite.
Get ready for the ultimate professional development experience designed specifically for school communicators!
The Social Media for Schools Retreat is your opportunity to step away from the daily demands of your job, connect with people who truly understand your role, and focus on two issues that matter deeply to schools right now:Student Enrollment
and
Mental Health
Your school has incredible stories to share. And the person responsible for sharing them matters, too.
Why Focus on Enrollment? It’s on Every School Leader’s Mind!
Declining birth rates and increased school choice are creating very real enrollment challenges, and school budgets are directly impacted. Social media can play an important role in building trust, strengthening relationships, and helping families see what makes your school special.
The stories are already happening every day. This retreat will help you share them more strategically and add fresh, practical ideas to your marketing toolbox!
Why Focus on Mental Health? Because You Matter!
School communicators carry a lot. Your work is rewarding and meaningful, but constant connection can also be exhausting.
The 2027 retreat will create space to focus on mental health, resilience, boundaries, and sustainable ways to approach your work. You’ll leave with practical strategies to protect your energy, reconnect with your purpose, and continue doing great work without losing yourself in the process.
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?
You’ll leave Stillwater with practical strategies, fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and renewed energy for the year ahead.
Learning Designed for School Communicators
Every session is selected specifically for people responsible for communicating and celebrating what is happening inside schools.
Hands-On Work Time
You won’t just collect pages of notes and a longer to-do list. The schedule intentionally builds in time so you can start applying what you learn.
Practical Ideas You Can Actually Use
You’ll leave with examples, templates, resources, strategies, and tools that work in real schools, not just in theory.
Meaningful Connections
Connect with school communicators from across the country who understand the demands, challenges, and rewards of your role.
A Small, Supportive Environment
With attendance limited to just 140 people, you’ll have space to ask questions, share ideas, and form genuine relationships.
An Actual Retreat Experience
Delicious food, laughter, optional activities, local experiences, and beautiful downtown Stillwater make this feel very different from a traditional conference.
Real Results from Attendees
“By thoughtfully weaving together timely topics and knowledgeable speakers within a beautiful setting, the experience felt both engaging and intentional. I left feeling inspired, with a renewed desire to bring more color and creativity into my work.”
– Chris Noel
Director of Communications and Marketing
The Montessori School of San Antonio, Texas
Featured Enrollment Marketing Speaker: Brendan Schneider
We’re excited to welcome Brendan Schneider, founder of SchneiderB Media, to the 2027 Social Media for Schools Retreat.
Brendan spent 28 years working inside K–12 schools in admissions, enrollment, marketing, communications, and fundraising, so he understands the pressure of attracting families while juggling about a dozen other responsibilities.
Today, he helps schools strengthen enrollment through digital marketing strategies including SEO, Google and Meta advertising, email marketing, AI, and more. He has trained thousands of school marketers and authored School Marketing The Right Way.
Brendan will bring practical strategies, proven tools, and a school-specific perspective to help you use digital marketing more strategically – without feeling like you need to become an expert in everything.
Featured Mental Health Speaker: Tasha Schuh
We are honored to welcome nationally recognized speaker, author, and resilience coach Tasha Schuh to the 2027 Social Media for Schools Retreat.
After a life-changing theater accident left her paralyzed at age 16, Tasha built a powerful message around four important components of resilience: Purpose. Attitude. Team. Hope.
Together, they form Tasha’s unforgettable PATH message.
Tasha is also one of Andrea’s closest friends. Her powerful story, humor, authenticity, and practical tools will leave attendees inspired and better equipped to navigate challenges at work and in life. Hearing Tasha speak is truly a life-changing, unforgettable experience!
What’s Included in Your Retreat Ticket?
- All main-stage sessions and breakout workshops
- Lifetime access to retreat resources and available recordings
- Hands-on work time throughout the event
- Small-group discussions and collaboration
- Gold Mine rapid-fire learning roundtables
- Breakfast, lunch, and beverages
- Optional social activities
- Opportunities to connect with trusted school communication partners
- Plenty of Stillwater charm!
Who Should Attend?
Whether social media is your full-time role or just one of the many hats you wear, this retreat is for you. Typical attendees include:
- School communication and public relations professionals
- District or building-level social media managers
- Marketing and enrollment professionals
- Superintendents and school administrators
- Technology leaders who support school communication
- Anyone responsible for sharing their school’s story online
Buy Your Retreat Ticket Here
Attendance is limited to just 140 school communicators. This retreat has sold out before, and we expect seats to go quickly again in 2027.
Cost: $500 per person
Schedule at a Glance
- Monday, June 21: Optional evening social gathering in downtown Stillwater
- Tuesday, June 22, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Full day of learning, collaboration, conversations, and hands-on work time
- Wednesday, June 23, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Full day of learning, collaboration, conversations, and hands-on work time
- Thursday, June 24, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Final sessions, reflection, action planning, and an inspiring send-off
We will update this webpage and our newsletter list with a more detailed schedule as speakers and sessions are solidified.
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?
The deadline to register is Monday, June 1st. We will sell out, so don’t wait. Secure your spot now!
Attendees Loved This Retreat!
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this retreat different from other school communication conferences?
There are a lot of great school PR conferences out there. We love them!
Our retreat is different because we focus specifically on social media and the issues closely connected to telling your school’s story.
You have a lot of responsibilities. Larger conferences provide learning across all of them, but this retreat gives you focused time to dig into one important part of your role.
It’s also intentionally smaller and more relaxed. You’ll have time to connect, ask questions, share ideas, work on what you’ve learned, and build relationships with people who truly understand your job.
Where is this retreat?
The retreat is held at the beautiful JX Venue in downtown Stillwater, Minnesota.
JX Venue
123 2nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Nestled along the scenic St. Croix River, Stillwater offers historic charm, locally owned restaurants and shops, beautiful views, and plenty of opportunities to relax and connect.
What are the start and end times?
- Tuesday, June 22: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 23: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 24: 8:00-11:00 a.m.
An optional social gathering will be held on Monday evening, June 21.
What is the daily schedule like?
The sessions are intentionally structured to include teaching and training followed by time to discuss, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
You’ll participate in main-stage sessions, breakout workshops, small-group conversations, rapid-fire learning opportunities, and independent work time.
It’s the perfect blend of learning and action!
Will I receive access to the presentations and resources?
Yes! Attendees receive lifetime access to retreat resources and available session recordings.
That means you can stay engaged during the retreat without worrying about writing down every word, and return to the materials whenever you need them.
What food is included?
Breakfast, lunch, and beverages are included during the retreat.
And yes, we take the food seriously! We'll share more information about the 2027 menu closer to the event.
What does the $500 registration fee include?
- All retreat sessions and programming
- Session resources and available recordings
- Breakfast and lunch
- Retreat activities and experiences
Travel and lodging are not included.
What is the cancellation policy?
To receive a refund, submit cancellation requests by April 15, 2027. We will deduct a $40 cancellation fee from the refund.
Registrations canceled after April 15, 2027, are not eligible for a refund.
How should I get to the retreat?
If you are flying in, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is the closest major airport and is approximately 30 miles from Stillwater.
From there, you can rent a vehicle or use a rideshare service.
What lodging is available?
A discounted hotel block is available for registered attendees 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 looking for presenters?
Yes! We’ll be putting out a call for proposals to registered attendees.
We love featuring school communication professionals who are willing to share practical examples, successful strategies, and lessons learned from their schools.
Stay tuned to our email newsletter list for details.
What should I bring?
Bring a laptop or tablet so you can take full advantage of the hands-on work sessions.
You may also want to bring examples of your social media content, enrollment marketing, content plans, or other projects you’d like to work on.
Most importantly, bring your questions and come ready to connect!
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.
Ready to Reconnect, Recharge, and Reignite?
Join school communicators from across the country for three days of practical learning, meaningful connection, and renewed inspiration.
You’ll leave with more than notes. You’ll leave with strategies you can use, work already started, people you can call, and the confidence to lead your school’s communication forward.
See you in Stillwater, Minnesota, June 22-24, 2027!
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