On Merch!: Leveraging Social Media & Student Culture for Classroom Engagement
Presenter: Mary Gayden
Description: This session will focus on helping educators understand how social media and digital culture influence student communication, engagement, and classroom relationships. As students increasingly communicate through online platforms and evolving slang, educators must learn how to recognize and interpret these cultural shifts while maintaining professional and ethical boundaries.
Using the concept “On Merch!”—a phrase students use to express sincerity or emphasis— this session explores how understanding student language and digital environments can help educators build stronger connections and improve engagement in the classroom. Participants will examine the most commonly used social media platforms among students and parents, along with strategies for navigating these spaces responsibly as educators.
The session will also address best practices for managing professional social media presence, avoiding unethical or inappropriate online behavior, and understanding the rules and expectations surrounding digital communication and promotion within school settings. Resources will be shared to help educators stay informed about emerging trends while protecting their professional integrity.
Drawing from real classroom experiences and educator-student interactions, the session will provide practical examples of how understanding digital culture and student language can strengthen relationships and improve communication in today’s learning environments.
Participants will leave with practical strategies for recognizing student digital culture, strengthening communication with stakeholders, and responsibly leveraging modern communication tools to support positive classroom relationships and engagement.