Reignite Your Passion for School Comms

School communications work can be exhausting. You juggle a million small responsibilities (alongside some really huge ones, too). With the added pressure of today’s divisive partisan climate, it’s no wonder burnout is a big issue. But you matter. What you do matters. And it’s worth finding ways to reconnect with why you started this work in the first place.

Here are some ideas to help you recharge, refocus, and reignite your passion for school comms. And we promise: self-care isn’t on this list.

Get Back to the Classroom

When did you last spend quality time with students? Head into a classroom, join a school event or volunteer for lunch duty. Seeing students laugh, learn, and just be kids can be the reset you need. At the end of the day, they are the reason why we do the work we do, and the fun and joy they bring might remind you why you got into this work in the first place.

P.S. It doesn’t count if you’re scrambling to take photos and capture quotes. Join a fun event where you can soak it in (you can write about it later).

Lean On Others

No one should have to navigate this alone. Reach out to a colleague, a mentor, or even a professional group of school communicators. Sometimes, talking it out or sharing ideas can be a huge relief. If your district is facing a big challenge, don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are people and resources out there ready to back you up. Some of our favorites:

• • Join a Facebook group for school communicators to share ideas
  • Participate in Andrea Gribble’s SocialSchools4Edu Membership program to take the pressure off generating nearly constant social posts
  • Attend a state SPRA conference and meet other school communicators
  • Attend NSPRA (National School Public Relations Association) events
  • Contact CEL for help (we had to add ourselves here. Not only are we ready to help get actual work done, but we also make a pretty good shoulder to cry on).

Scream

Be honest—did you howl at the moon during the Coronavirus pandemic? If you did, psychotherapist Dr. Arthur Janov (author of The Primal Scream) might applaud you. In his book, he explores the idea that repression is a problem—so screaming, verbalizing, or otherwise releasing pent-up emotions is helpful.

We don’t recommend screaming in the staff bathroom, but we do suggest a trip to a high school football game, where you can scream to your heart’s content. GO TEAM!

Go All-In at Spirit Week

Why should kids have all the fun? We get it—this one feels a little risky since admin offices don’t always jump into the Spirit Week action. But hear us out: pick a day and go all in. Whether it’s Pajama Day, 2000s Day (seriously, when did that become retro? We’re not ready to talk about it), or Dress Like a Student Day, embracing the silliness can be a surprising mood booster. Plus, it shows students and staff that you’re part of the school’s energy—not just behind a desk. Give it a try. You might just have fun too.

Be a Mystery Reader

Volunteer as a guest reader in an elementary classroom. It’s a great way to break from your routine and enjoy the joy and curiosity of kids. Plus, it’s hard to feel bummed out when you’re being enthusiastically welcomed by a room full of excited students. Pick a silly book to read and enjoy those giggles.

Surprise Thank Yous

Take 10 minutes to write short, handwritten notes to students, teachers, or staff members who have inspired you recently. Acts of kindness like this can lift your spirits just as much as theirs. If you don’t want the recognition, keep them anonymous and sneak your notes around the district without the recipient knowing who dropped them off!

Play “Guess That Year” with Old School Photos

Pull out old yearbooks and photos from your school’s archives and host a guessing game. Students and staff alike will get a kick out of seeing hairstyles and trends from decades past, and it’s a great way to bond over shared school history. Plus, there’s something comforting about knowing you’re a part of a long history filled with laughter, growth, and change. It reminds everyone that schools are more than just buildings—they’re communities where stories are made and shared.

And who doesn’t love a good throwback moment to spark nostalgia and connection? You might even discover some hidden gems or hilarious moments that become instant conversation starters (and top social media content).

Fix Up Your Office

Does your office spark joy? If not, it’s time to do something about it. Okay, so you can’t toss everything that doesn’t spark joy (that stack of legislative platforms probably has to stay), but you can create a space that makes you smile.

At CEL, we’ve got all kinds of vibes in our offices: Ashley’s maximalist jungle of plants is paired with kawaii sticky notes and colorful pens, Andrew’s desk showcases numerous pictures of his dog, and Chelsea, the consummate minimalist, keeps her desktop clear and her photos digital, but always has a calming scent in her office for a little extra cheer. What’s your vibe?

Set Up an “Outdated Tech” Museum

Dig through storage closets and pull out those ancient projectors, overhead transparencies, and floppy disks (we know you still have them). Set them up in a corner of your office as a mini museum of school tech history. It’s a fun conversation starter, and honestly, it might make you appreciate the tools you have now (hello, social media scheduling apps).

This silly activity doubles as great social media content and might spark an even longer article for those who are considering going out for a referendum (sorry we said the R-word). Does your greater community know how much day-to-day tech has changed in schools?

Create a School Soundtrack

Walk the hallways and capture the actual sounds of your schools—locker slams, squeaky shoes, band practice, or a cafeteria roar. Then, create a fun tune out of your sounds for your next reel. It’s weird, it’s creative, and it gives everyone a fresh perspective on what makes your school tick. ASMR, but make it school.

And before you say it…

Stop Saying, “But I Don’t Have Time for That!”

We get it—you’re busy. But here’s the thing: the fun parts of your job won’t happen unless you make time for them. Block off a morning to visit classrooms, schedule 30 minutes to brainstorm silly social media ideas, or even reserve a day for shadowing a student to see the school from their perspective.

You can’t be in “go-go-go” mode all the time—you’re not ChatGPT! Taking time to connect with students, laugh with staff, or just let your creativity flow isn’t a distraction from your work; it’s part of what makes your role meaningful. It’s how you reconnect with the joy of what you do.

So go ahead, put “fun” on your calendar. It’s a productivity hack that will keep you inspired and motivated to tackle everything else. And honestly, doesn’t that sound a little more sustainable?