“Craig has a gift for finding the extraordinary amidst the ordinary, and celebrating the unique stories within our schools, and his book captures this process brilliantly. The storytelling strategies he outlines are not just insightful; they’re essential for any leader who wants to strengthen their school-community connection. As superintendents are increasingly expected to expertly communicate district progress to their communities, Craig’s Brand Your School With Its Own Stories takes on ever more importance.”
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– Shannon Anderson, Superintendent, Momence #1
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“Craig's storytelling expertise has been a game-changer for our district ever since it helped us re-establish trust with our stakeholders after COVID. His ability to capture and celebrate the essence of our school community, showcasing our unique strengths in a way that resonates with everyone—from board members to alumni—has been nothing short of remarkable. This book distills that expertise into practical, actionable guidance every school leader should take to heart.”
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– Jonathan Green, Superintendent, Meridian #101
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“Having worked with Craig on our quarterly magazines, including several alumni issues, for more than three years, I can confidently say that his approach to storytelling has revolutionized the way we engage with our community. Brand Your School With Its Own Stories offers a clear and compelling roadmap for educational leaders who want to harness the power of narrative to build stronger, more connected communities. It’s not just a book—it’s a guide for making measurable, positive impact.”
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– Dr. Jennifer Garrison, Superintendent, Vandalia #203
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“Working with Craig has been a transformative communications experience for our district, and Brand Your School With Its Own Stories is a must-read for anyone committed to reclaiming their district’s positive voice. The strategies in this book provide a disarmingly powerful toolkit for unifying a community behind its schools—I’ve seen it; it’s impossible for me to un-see it. Craig has written an important book here. One that will help educational leaders everywhere to more effectively unite their entire communities behind their schools. And that’s critically important to the success of our kids.”
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– Dr. Steve Smith, Superintendent, Benton #47
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“In an era where public perception can make or break the positive momentum of a school district, Brand Your School With Its Own Stories is an invaluable resource. Craig’s insights on neutralizing disruptive Facebook noise alone make it worth the read. The strategies here will help educational leaders across the country elevate their communications, bridge the school-to-community digital divide, and build durable trust with all their taxpayers.”
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– Dr. Michelle Lee, Superintendent, Ottawa #141
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“Working with Craig has been a seamless, truly enjoyable process, one that has brought out the best in our school stories and connected us with our community like never before. His book reflects that work—insightful, engaging, and full of strategies that are both innovative and practical. It’s a powerful tool for any district leader looking to build a stronger, more positive narrative.”
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– Joe Sornberger, Superintendent, Jasper County #1
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“For too long, as education leaders, we have stood-by while others shaped our local district narratives, often as vocal minorities on social media. And as we focused on the nuts and bolts of running our schools, we overlooked the value of sharing our own powerfully authentic stories as a means of connecting those schools with the rest of our community. Implementing the ideas from Brand Your School With Its Own Stories, is not just about informing our taxpayers—it’s inspiring them to want to support and invest in our schools. Craig’s method, clearly defined in his book, doesn’t just provide conventional communications advice, it delivers community engaging results.”
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– Dr. Patrick M. Twomey, Superintendent, Macomb #185
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“Connecting with our communities is an urgent need in school leadership today; more so, in fact, than at any time in my five decades as an educator. Craig’s book provides leaders with a clear blueprint for breaking through the ambivalence, the vitriol, and the digital chasm, which is acutely felt in many of our rural communities with older, empty-nester taxpayers. I’ve known Craig for 20-years and have seen his work make a real difference in the lives of regular people in rural communities across the Prairie State and beyond. Buy the book and channel Craig’s approach. Your community will thank you.”
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– Dr. Marleis Trover, McKendree University
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“In today’s screen-obsessed world, public perception of our schools can quickly be shaped by voices beyond our control. If we don't tell our own stories, somebody else will—and they’ll probably get it wrong. That's why Brand Your School With Its Own Stories is such a timely and critical guide. Craig offers a compelling and practical roadmap for school leaders to take charge of their narrative, ensuring that our communities hear the positive and authentic stories about the work we do on their behalf. This book is a must-read for anyone committed to building trust and engagement through clear, thoughtful communication.”
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– Dr. Amy Dixon, Superintendent, Harrisburg #3
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“Last year when I attended the Carousel of Ideas at the IASB/IASA/IASBO Joint Annual Conference in Chicago, I learned about Craig’s approach to community engagement, and I just knew our district needed to do this. It took almost a year [before we made the commitment to move forward,] but I truly believe this every door, every taxpayer story sharing approach is going to take our culture to the next level.”
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– Christine Lynde, School Board President, Byron #226
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