Summary for Educators:

A Principal’s Cheat Sheet to a Universe of Messaging Tools *By Liz Garden | *National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Principal Magazine, November/December 2025 (Vol 105, #2)

In her article, Liz Garden offers school leaders a practical, clear “cheat sheet” for choosing—and using—messaging tools effectively to support communication with staff, students, families, and the wider community. As leaders juggling announcements, updates, newsletters, meetings, and social-media posts, principals are naturally heavy communicators. Garden argues that while the volume of communication is high, the effectiveness of each message depends on clarity, consistency, and purpose.

1. The Communication Imperative

Garden emphasizes that communication is not a side activity but a core leadership function. Research shows strong links between two-way communication (especially school-home partnerships) and improved attendance, achievement, teacher collaboration, and stakeholder trust. NAESP She reminds principals that messages are only effective when they’re received as intended—which often means tailoring medium, tone, and frequency to different audiences.

2. Tool-Kit of Options

She provides a curated list of messaging tools—ranging from traditional (emails, phone calls, newsletters, face-to-face conversations) to emerging (apps like ClassDojo for Districts, AI-assisted platforms like School Signals) that help streamline writing, translation (130+ languages with some tools), and tone control. NAESP Rather than endorsing any single platform, Garden encourages principals to view the messaging ecosystem as a “universe” where different tools serve different purposes and audiences.

3. Planning & Implementation Principles

Garden offers six actionable steps:

• Treat communication like curriculum: Map messages on a calendar, schedule weekly/monthly updates, use templates for consistency.

• Keep communication predictable and transparent: A consistent rhythm builds trust; if messages change schedule or format, explain why.

• Mix delivery methods: Use appropriate tool for the purpose—mass email for broad announcements; personal phone or meeting for sensitive topics.

• Protect time for communication: Block out time on your weekly calendar for drafting, reviewing, and scheduling messages—modeling its value for your staff.

• Close the loop: When stakeholders respond, follow up. Nothing erodes trust faster than unanswered questions or feedback ignored.

• Audit and adjust: Periodically review your communication map with staff/families to ask: Are we getting the messages we need? Which channels work best? NAESP

4. Toward Influence, Not Just Information

Garden underscores a central theme: effective communication does more than inform—it fosters influence, builds trust, and shapes school culture. She writes that while tools can create efficiency, the real goal is cultivating connection and shared purpose. If people feel invested—not just informed—they participate differently.

5. Key Takeaways for Educational Leaders

• Consistency in messaging builds culture and trust more than flashy new tools.

• A school messaging strategy demands intentional design and management—not just reactive posts.

• Choose tools thoughtfully by audience and purpose; common platforms can coexist if managed well.

• Communication time is leadership time—prioritizing it signals its importance.

• Listening and responsiveness (“closing the loop”) are as vital as broadcasting.

• Regular review of tools and protocols prevents drift and aligns messaging with evolving needs.

For principals striving to engage staff, students, families, and community stakeholders in meaningful two-way communication, Garden’s “cheat sheet” becomes a practical framework: choose tools with purpose, plan the strategy like a curriculum, maintain rhythm and transparency, and lead by example in closing communication loops. In doing so, the everyday messages we send (and fail to send) become powerful levers of culture and connection.

Original Article

“A Principal’s Cheat Sheet to a Universe of Messaging Tools” by Liz Garden in Principal, November/December 2025 (Vol 105, #2, pp. 12-15)

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com