Peter McConnell

About Peter McConnell

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:* Awarded a Green Jacket - the equivalent of a green jacket for winning the Masters in golf - for excellence in my role as director of communications at The Varnett Public School district in Houston.* Launched school district website, Post written and visual updates with the urgency of a breaking news story. The website for the 1,600-student district has recorded more than 2 million page views worldwide since its debut in March 2010.* Increased profile of the district through positive print, web and broadcast coverage locally and nationally.* Wrote the district\'s social media guidelines for teachers and other staff. Guidelines adopted as policy by the Superintendent and the School Board.* A key editor in directing and editing the coverage of Hurricane Ike and its aftermath, resulting in the Houston Chronicle being named a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in the breaking news category. Posted online updates multiple times a day.* Directed and assigned as second-in-command news coverage of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Edited breaking news stories and minute-by-minute developments under deadline and competitive pressure.* Demonstrated skills outside the workplace in mentoring 20 high school students and helping them produce an online newspaper for a national audience. Content focused on new media strategies and new trends in presidential politics.* Appointed from a staff of 200 to direct a company-wide content audit of a metropolitan daily newspaper to determine the diversity of coverage. Created the opportunity to expand the newspaper\'s source and contact list after audit revealed women were under-represented 2:1 compared to men in news and feature stories.* Challenged and guided reporters to produce stories that caused community discussion for change. Conducted goal-oriented, annual performance evaluations that resulted in the production of more Page One stories. Specialties: Internal and external communications; research; writing and editing; story telling; jazz blogging, and extensive newspaper reporting and managerial experience. Thrives under deadline pressure.

Experience

1. Director of Communications and Marketing

   The Varnett Public School

   Feb 2010 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   Internal and external communications for charter elementary school. Motivated by promoting the great work of our low-income, diverse student population. In charge of the website the district\'s English and Spanish newsletters and social media such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Other tasks include staff recruiting, news and feature writing, videography, photography, editing, headline writing, research, pitching stories to the media and writing stories for news outlets. Reports directly to the Superintendent. Other illustrative duties:*Promotes positive public relations between the school district and the community.*Advises the Superintendent on issues related to communications.*Provides information to parents and the public about the activities, goals, policies and mission of the school district.*Reviews, proofs and edits internal and external documents or communications prior to publication.*Remains current on local, state and national education news and determines how the news may affect the school district.*Assists school personnel in publicizing and promoting any performances, exhibitions, displays or special programs sponsored by the district.*Performs other duties as assigned. Catch us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VarnettSchool

Education

• University of Oregon

  BA, Journalism

  1970 — 1974