Training

Chris Horan offers public speaking engagements, as well as customized workshops, trainings, and presentations about strategic communication and community engagement in the education, non-profit, and public sectors.

“Best session I have ever attended at a conference.

I’m seeing the results already!”

— NSPRA participant

Interactive sessions customized to meet your needs.

Deepen your team’s knowledge in messaging, community engagement, media relations, social media, crisis communication, and more.

Training and Speaking Engagements

Trainings and speaking engagements for local, state, and national audiences

“Branding / Marketing / Communication for State School Board Associations”

Fall Conference of Northeast State School Board Associations

Providence, RI | September 2024

“Effective Communication for School Committees: Crisis and Controversy"

Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) Summer Institute

Marlborough, MA | July 2024

“A Good Start for New Superintendents: Strategic Communications”

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents

Marlborough, MA | June 2024

“Now THAT'S a Great School: Branding and Marketing for School Leaders and Athletic Directors”

Massachusetts School Administrators' Association / Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association

Franklin, MA | December 2023

“Stay on Message: Keeping Your Strategic Plan at the Forefront”

Joint Conference: Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) & Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

Hyannis, MA | November 2023

“Communities Divided: How to Navigate Polarizing Debates”

Northeast State School Boards Association

Burlington, MA | September 2023

“The Board of Education's Role in Effective Communication”

Connecticut Association of Boards of Education

Virtual | February 2023

“The School Committee's Role in Telling Your District's Story”

Rhode Island Association of School Committees (RIASC)

Providence, RI | January 2023

“Inform, Inspire, Engage: Strategic Communication for School Board Presidents”

Illinois Association of School Boards

Chicago, IL | November 2022

“School Districts at the Center of Polarized Community Debates”

Panel Moderator, Joint Conference: Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) & Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

Hyannis, MA | November 2021, November 2022

“Proactive Communication: Telling Your District's Story Effectively”

Joint Conference: Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) & Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

Hyannis, MA | November 2021, November 2022

“Effective Communication about Special Education through Difficult Times”

Association of Rhode Island Administrators of Special Education (ARIASE)

Newport, RI | March 2022

“Effective Communication to Boost Employee Morale”

Connecticut Association of School Business Officials (CASBO)

Southington, CT | January 2022

“The Art of Listening”

Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE)

Virtual | January 2022

“Designing and Executing a Strategic Communications Plan”

LearnLaunch Institute

Virtual | November 2021

“Amplifying Student Voices in Complex Times”

Panel Moderator, Joint Conference: Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) & Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

Hyannis, MA | November 2021

“Communicating in Uncertain Times”

LearnLaunch Institute

Virtual | October 2021

“Difficult Conversations with Your Community: Critical Race Theory, To Mask Or Not To Mask, and Everything in Between”

Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC)

Virtual | September 2021

“Communicating about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work When Facing Backlash about Critical Race Theory”

Rhode Island Association of School Committees (RIASC)

Virtual | August 2021

“Effective Communication through Times of Conflict”

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

Virtual | March 2021

“Effective Communication for Superintendents through the Covid-19 Crisis”

Education Research & Development Institute

Virtual | September 2020

“Back-to-School Communications Plans in the Age of Covid-19”

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) | Summer Executive Institute

Virtual | July 2020

“Messaging with Transparency: Communicating about Your District's Successes and Challenges”

Education Research & Development Institute

Austin, TX | February 2020

“From Referendum to Ribbon-Cutting: How to Engage the Community in Your School Building Project”

Joint Conference: Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) / Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

Hyannis, MA | November 2019

“What's in a Brand? Strategies for School Boards and State Associations”

National School Boards Association (NSBA) Summer Leadership Seminar

Chicago, IL | August 2019

“Media Relations Strategies for Superintendents and School Boards”

Joint Conference: Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) / Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

Hyannis, MA | November 2011 – November 2018

“Strategic Communication for Superintendents”

National Superintendents Academy / American Association of School Administrators (AASA)

Atlanta | Chicago | Dallas | Los Angeles | Philadelphia | Phoenix | San Diego | San Francisco (2012-2018)

“School Branding and Marketing for Principals”

National Principals Conference

Philadelphia, PA | July 2017

“Communications and Political Advocacy”

Massachusetts Association of School Committees

Sturbridge, MA | April 2014

“The School Board’s Role in Telling the District’s Story”

Massachusetts Association of School Committees

Framingham, MA | October 2013

“Seize the Day: Strategies to Generate Press and Boost Staff Morale”

National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) National Seminar

Chicago, IL | July 2012 Click here for more information.

“Communicating Before (and Through) a Crisis: 10 Tips for School District Leaders”

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Spring Meeting

Marlborough, MA | May 2010

“Now THAT'S a Great School: Effective Marketing and Communication to Build Community Support”

Boston Public Schools Instructional Leadership Institute

Boston, MA | June 2009

"Marketing Your School System for Family & Community Partnerships"

Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Issues Seminar

Miami, FL | June 2008

"Bridging the School / Central Office Divide: How to strengthen relationships between principals and the district communications office"

Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) Public Relations Executive Meeting

Phoenix, AZ | July 2007

"Strategic Communications: Case Study on Boston Public Schools"

District Management Council (DMC) Superintendents' Strategy Summit

Miami, FL | January 2007

"Communicating Change: Boston's citywide campaign to help families understand a new school choice process"

National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) National Seminar

Chicago, IL | July 2006

"Improving Student Achievement through Labor-Management Partnerships"

National School Boards Association (NSBA) National Conference

San Francisco, CA | April 1999

What Our Clients Say

“I have worked with Chris Horan in his capacities as the director of communications for the Boston Public Schools and events coordinator for our organization’s large annual meeting in Boston. He is a consummate professional and highly skilled with a flawless eye for detail and a wonderful sense of humor. I would work with him again in a heartbeat.”
Dr. Michael Casserly

Executive Director, Council of the Great City Schools

“Working with Horan Communications is incredibly inspiring. Chris Horan’s support, guidance and creative vision have exponentially improved our communication strategy. As a non-profit leader, I have appreciated Chris’ ability to help us build capacity to develop our organizational brand. Our work together has provided tremendous long-term value.”

Scott Frauenheim

CEO, Distinctive Schools

Reach Us

Please contact us to learn more about how we can help you achieve your communications goals.

Horan Communications
PO Box 252
Milton, MA 02186

(617) 852-1340

info (@) horancommunications.com

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