Positive public perception and community engagement are essential for today’s schools. These themes were front and center at this year’s FACTS Elevate conference, one of the nation’s largest education events. Over 1,200 educators gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, for four days of insightful learning and invaluable networking. This year’s event focused on exploring new possibilities, and we at Class Intercom were thrilled to be part of it. Here are some takeaways from our time at FACTS Elevate 2024.
Becoming a Catalyst for Change
Elevate attracts thought leaders from across the education sector for a schedule of thought-provoking sessions. This year’s event kicked off with a powerful keynote from Erin Gruwell, teacher, activist, and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Freedom Writers Diary. This inspirational story, adapted into a major motion picture, highlights the transformative teaching methods that guided Erin’s 150 at-risk students, known as the Freedom Writers, to graduate high school and pursue higher education by empowering them to author their own narratives. Erin’s keynote inspired attendees to harness their power and determination to fuel change in their schools while creating an environment of trust and communication. What’s more, her story underscores the profound impact of storytelling in education, demonstrating how sharing authentic, values-driven narratives can build trust and community interest.
Elevate’s thought leadership and professional development sessions included topics on advancement and development, educational technology, enrollment and marketing, finance, leadership, and teaching. Fireside chats and keynotes aimed to equip educators with knowledge about the technology tools at their disposal. In the evenings, networking sessions allowed attendees to connect and foster relationships.
The combination was part of a strategic effort from FACTS Management to help schools gain exposure to tools and expertise, noted Erin Dutter, Strategic Partnerships at FACTS. “FACTS Elevate embodies our commitment to advancing the educational experience through technology, innovation, and collaboration,” she notes. “This event is not just about inspiration; it’s about equipping schools with practical tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the education sector effectively.”
“FACTS Elevate embodies our commitment to advancing the educational experience through technology, innovation, and collaboration. This event is not just about inspiration; it’s about equipping schools with practical tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the education sector effectively.”
–Erin Dutter, Strategic Partnerships at FACTS Management
Storytelling Amplifies Support
In the same way that Erin’s students’ stories have garnered continued support (now primarily through The Freedom Writers Foundation), many schools rely on fundraising and donor relations to fuel their initiatives. Powerful technology designed specifically for education now streamlines these efforts. However, this technology requires the grassroots efforts of hopeful and determined educators to keep stakeholders informed about positive student experiences and stories.
Dr. Jill Johnson at the FACTS Elevate attendee reception at the Georgia Aquarium.
Dr. Jill Johnson, lifelong educator and Class Intercom President, took to her sessions sharing that social media is the ideal channel for building goodwill and engagement among corporate partners, student and families, donors, and the community. From her experience working with schools across the country she shared that social media is absolutely critical, allowing schools to give their community a unique insider perspective.
“Sharing positive school stories is essential for building a strong and supportive community, and social media is an ideal avenue,” she explained. “It fosters trust, enhances brand perception, and creates a positive narrative around school culture. By highlighting the incredible work happening every day, we cultivate a more engaged and connected environment for students, families, educators, and community members inclined to support them.”
“Sharing positive school stories is essential for building a strong and supportive community, and social media is an ideal avenue. It fosters trust, enhances brand perception, and creates a positive narrative around school culture. By highlighting the incredible work happening every day, we cultivate a more engaged and connected environment for students, families, educators, and community members inclined to support them.”
– Dr. Jill Johnson, Class Intercom President
Empowering Students: The Ultimate Goal
At the heart of storytelling is the theme of student empowerment, a message echoed in many sessions at Elevate. Emma Milner-Gorvine, a teacher at Red Oak Elementary School and FACTS Innovation Award winner, shared her experience empowering students to create podcasts from conception to post-production, strengthening their language skills and cultural awareness. A former educator and agency founder discussed how empowering creative writing in the classroom can develop students’ literary skills. Fagie Greenberg, a graduate professor of literacy and special education, focused on helping students navigate AI developments, emphasizing the importance of preparing them to be effective digital citizens and future professionals.
Inviting students to actively participate in their education through creation and hands-on learning develops essential skills for success beyond the classroom. Sharing these achievements and stories on social media is crucial–especially for private school leaders–as it significantly enhances a school’s credibility and reputation. Empowering students to be storytellers themselves is key. When students tell their own stories, it not only builds goodwill within the community but also showcases the real-world experiences students receive through the curriculum. Impactful school storytelling, especially when driven by students, better positions schools to retain and recruit students and families, in addition to having major impacts on fundraising initiatives and donor relationships.
Dr. Jill Johnson shares with educators at FACTS Elevate how to use technology, designed specifically for education, to tell their school’s story.
In all, Elevate brought together educators and thought leaders from across the country for timely and important conversations. All the while, schools explored new technologies and innovations and the ways they are driving positive change through storytelling and student empowerment. A special thanks to our partners at FACTS for hosting another exceptional event.
Interested in connecting with the team at Class Intercom to learn more about how our technology is supporting hundreds of thousands of student storytellers from schools nationwide? Follow the link below to get in touch.
