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welcome to the alchemy collaborative blog – your go-to resource for transforming school communications and building thriving communities. here, we address the challenges faced by school districts, including disengaged parents, high teacher turnover, and declining student enrollment. our posts provide insights into strategic communication plans, brand development, content creation, and more. whether you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent, you’ll find valuable tips and success stories to help your school district foster collaboration and engage effectively with your community. join us in creating a brighter future for education!
our latest posts

By Brooke Goff
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July 28, 2025
Google made waves at ISTE with its AI-powered classroom assistant. Now that the buzz has faded, let’s talk about what really matters: How are districts communicating about it? In June, Google made headlines at ISTE by announcing a suite of new features for Google Classroom—most notably, a built-in AI-powered tutor designed to help students complete assignments by chatting with an assistant trained on trusted academic sources. It was a big moment for edtech. But it left many district leaders asking even bigger questions: What are the guidelines for use? Will this widen equity gaps or close them? How will we explain this to staff, students, and families before confusion or concern take root? Because when new tools enter the classroom, they don’t arrive quietly. And they don’t just need IT support. They need a communication strategy. we waited on purpose. You’ve seen the hot takes. The feature recaps. The LinkedIn debates. At Alchemy, we chose to hold back, not because we missed the moment, but because we wanted to speak from reflection, not reaction. We’ve had time to analyze, to listen to district partners, and to think about what this really means for school systems in Kentucky and beyond. Here’s what we know: This is a communication moment, not just a tech one. Districts need infrastructure that helps them: Equip teachers with language and clarity, not just tools Communicate with families in ways that build trust, not fear Make room for student voice as AI evolves Tell the story of how innovation aligns with local values and learning goals This is the work we’re called to do. enter mosAic: a kentucky-grown model of AI done right While many are still catching up, one Kentucky district has been quietly leading from the front. The mosAIc initiative, led by Fleming County Schools and other district leaders in Kentucky, is a powerful example of AI integration grounded in opportunity, student voice, and community trust. It’s not just about what AI can do. It’s about how AI can amplify authentic learning and local accountability: if districts are intentional. mosAIc is: Student-centered (students create, reflect, and apply learning with AI) Transparent (teachers and families are engaged in the “why,” not just the “how”) Human-first (the tech serves people, not the other way around) We’re proud to be a storytelling and visibility partner in this work and we believe more districts should be watching Fleming closely. communication is tech infrastructure If your district is experimenting with AI or even just trying to explain the digital tools already in use, know this: You don’t have to be experts in every platform. But you do need systems that clarify, support, and align your message with your mission. From the way you onboard teachers, to the way you announce new tools, to the trust you build with your families: communication is the through line. At Alchemy, we help districts craft that through-line through: ⏳ Alchemy Access Hours ⏳ for hands-on strategy and support 🏗 The Foundation 🏗 for brand clarity that builds trust 💻 Design Lab and Gold Vault assets to make it all look and feel unified let’s be ready: together. AI is here to stay. But the way you lead through it is what your community will remember. Let’s build a communication strategy that keeps your district grounded, clear, and aligned, even as the tools evolve. Schedule a Discovery Call Explore Access Hours Read more about mosAIc

By Brooke Goff
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July 28, 2025
In a ballroom tucked inside the Galt House Hotel, the energy was familiar. Not flashy. Not loud. Just steady: like the leaders gathered there. KASS Celebrates Superintendents wasn’t a new beginning. It was a pause. A moment to breathe, connect, and acknowledge the people quietly shaping the future of Kentucky public education. For years, KASS has cultivated this kind of space where superintendents across the Commonwealth can find clarity, alignment, and strength in one another. That culture of trust and mutual respect was on full display last Thursday, just steps from the whirlwind of the KASA Leadership Institute. As partners and peers, we were honored to be part of it. what makes kass different? KASS stands for more than superintendent advocacy. It stands for strategic leadership grounded in community values. It champions policies rooted in lived experience. And it moves with a vision that isn’t driven by headlines, but by what kids and communities need most. As we move toward the 2026 legislative session, that vision is coming into sharper focus: A statewide accountability framework that reflects local context and honors whole-child success Real investment in educator workforce pathways, from onboarding to compensation A long-range funding model that restores the SEEK base and strengthens essential services like transportation, mental health, and early childhood education These aren’t bullet points, they’re the building blocks of a system that works for everyone. communication that carries the work forward At Alchemy, we support KASS superintendents and their teams by translating complex initiatives into communication that’s clear, consistent, and community-ready. Our work includes: Legislative summaries and visual assets that connect policy to real-world impact Messaging systems for districts aligning their strategic plans to statewide priorities On-demand support through 🏗 The Foundation and ⏳ Alchemy Access Hours for everything from branding to stakeholder engagement We believe every district deserves a communication infrastructure that builds trust, reflects its values, and helps move the work forward. Especially when the work is this important. a collective call to lead The superintendents we serve aren’t waiting for permission to lead boldly. They’re already doing it: in budget meetings, on back roads, through partnerships that span counties and coalitions. What Thursday’s event affirmed is that this leadership doesn’t stand alone. It’s connected. Intentional. And ready for what’s next. View the photo gallery from KASS Celebrates Superintendents Download the 2026 KASS Legislative Priorities Schedule a discovery session with Alchemy to explore how communication strategy can support your district’s policy alignment and public advocacy.

By Brooke Goff
•
July 28, 2025
Sometimes, the most important moments don’t go according to plan. This is the story of how a tribute video honoring a beloved school leader didn’t play on stage... and why that didn’t stop it from reaching the people who mattered most. In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain on the process: how the video came to life, what went wrong, and how our team stayed focused on what mattered: telling the story with heart. what makes a tribute video truly meaningful? A tribute video works best when it doesn’t just list accomplishments: it tells the truth about someone’s impact, in the voices of the people they’ve served. When Bullitt County Public Schools asked us to create a surprise tribute video for Kristi Lynch, Principal of North Bullitt High School and the 2025 KASA Building Level Administrator of the Year, we knew we couldn’t make it generic. It had to sound like her... quiet leadership (even though she is far from quiet), bold heart, and an undeniable ripple effect through students, staff, and families. So we built it from the inside out. We started with BCPS’s mission and values. Then we shaped the video around real stories that aligned with their Core Values, Aspirations, and Graduate Profile traits. Interview cues were crafted to pull out specifics: how Kristi supported students, lifted her team, and sparked future-focused growth. (Check out the full process here .) a tribute should reflect the person: not the performance. what happens when the “tech fails” at the big moment? Spoiler: you pivot. You protect the story. You keep your cool and get scrappy. At the 2025 KASA conference, the stage was set. The lights were on. The crowd was ready. But when it came time to play the video… the screen didn’t cooperate. No one panicked. We just shifted. Instead of pushing for a fix that might’ve muddled the moment, our team found another way to share the story. We arranged a quiet showing for Kristi and her family: just a laptop, some tissues, and the people who knew what the moment was meant to be. what do you do when the spotlight flickers? You show up anyway. This is the part we’re most proud of. Yes, we love a polished final product. But we love even more the chance to carry a story carefully, all the way to the finish line, even if that means rerouting mid-run. And you know what? The private viewing ended up being more personal. More reflective. More… Kristi. That’s the work. That’s the alchemy . want help telling your school’s story? We help districts celebrate their people, shape their culture, and spotlight what makes them stand out with messaging that aligns and videos that land (even when the Wi-Fi doesn’t). Book a consult Explore more stories like this
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