OUR STORY

ABOUT OUR STORY℠

Welcome to "Our Story," an innovative communications initiative here at Saginaw ISD designed to elevate our organizational narrative through the power of collective authorship. Through our Thrillshare application, every staff member has the platform to contribute their unique voice, insights, and experiences, thereby painting a fuller, richer picture of who we are as a community. More than a storytelling exercise, this initiative aims to harness the principles of positive psychology to uplift our organizational culture, inspiring greater positivity and a stronger sense of community among our staff. By sharing our individual journeys, we come together to write a shared story that embodies the values, aspirations, and spirit of Saginaw ISD. Join us as we pen the chapters of "Our Story," collectively shaping the identity and culture that makes us who we are.

Saginaw ISD currently partners with our Great Lakes Bay Early College students to empower the voices of those experiencing our programs first-hand.

OUR STORY AUTHORSHIP PROGRAM

Saginaw ISD provides its team members a professional development opportunity to not only tell "Our Story" but become certified authors for our organization. This program is in partnership with Credly by Pearson, which allows Saginaw ISD staff to earn badges that display their learning process and journey to become "Platinum Authors" and chief influencers of positive storytelling.

BRONZE LEVEL

DESCRIPTION

Bronze Level certification training teaches authors how to download, log in, and utilize the Thrillshare platform through a mobile app or desktop access to share positive stories as they happen in real-time at Saginaw ISD. After viewing the entry-level video module course below, Bronze Level authors can utilize Saginaw ISD's communication platforms and maintain access for their time of employment.

BADGE ISSUING

At Saginaw ISD, we use Credly by Pearson to issue digital badges for the successful completion of "Our Story" trainings. These badges are far more than tokens of completion; they are portable credentials that can be showcased on LinkedIn, incorporated into email signatures, or even cited as evidence of professional development. Recognizable and verifiable, these badges provide a dynamic way to display your expertise and commitment to ongoing learning. If you would like your bronze badge immediately, please fill out the form below. All other advance badges will be issued on a monthly basis.

VIDEO DIRECTIONS

STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS

1.

Go to www.thrillshare.com or download the application on your mobile device.

2.

Log in using your Saginaw ISD email and password or by clicking "log in with Google" (you may have a two-factor authentication at this point)

3.

If you haven't already, please upload a profile photo by clicking on your name in the right-hand corner and clicking the pencil next to your name. You also need to upload a photo under the "profiles" section of this same page. This feature is only available on the desktop version of Thrillshare.

4.

To start your first positive storytelling post, we will need you to head to the "media" section of your menu and click Livefeed if you're on your desktop or just Livefeed for the app version.

5.

Once you're on Livefeed, you can create your post by typing in the message box or clicking the red plus sign on the app version. For the desktop, you can go ahead and start, but for the app, you will need to click Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Livefeed until they are all purple.

6.

Now let's get to maybe the best part, the photos! On your mobile device, you will click the small picture icon, or on the desktop; you will click "Upload an image." This will send you to your photo album on your device or your downloads folder on your desktop. 

7.

You can then choose up to ten photos you would like to post. Once your photos are uploaded, you must choose an alternate text for each one. This is a part of the Americans with Disabilities Act and keeps our posts accessible to everyone in our community.

8.

Once that is done, you are ready to press "publish." This then goes to a moderator to double check, which then can be edited if needed and then approved!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ORANGE LEVEL (10 STORIES)

To achieve Orange Level status, users must demonstrate at least ten posts. This badge is orange because it symbolizes the user’s growing positivity, inspired by the Happiness Advantage parable. Orange Level users can fully access Saginaw ISD's communication platforms and maintain their access for the duration of their tenure.

IRON LEVEL (25 STORIES)

To achieve Iron Level status, users must demonstrate at least 25 stories told. This level recognizes the user’s commitment to habit-building in sharing positive stories. Iron Level users can fully access Saginaw ISD's communication platforms and maintain their access for the duration of their tenure.

SILVER LEVEL (50 STORIES)

To achieve Silver Level status, users must demonstrate at least 50 stories told. This badge celebrates the author’s dedication to sharing positive stories. Silver Level users can fully access Saginaw ISD's communication platforms and maintain their access for the duration of their tenure.

GOLD LEVEL (100 STORIES)

To achieve Gold Level status, users must demonstrate at least 100 stories told. This level represents a true commitment and is a celebration of those who lead the culture of positive storytelling and champion the #OurStory initiative. Gold Level users can fully access Saginaw ISD's communication platforms and maintain their access for the duration of their tenure.

PLATINUM LEVEL (250 STORIES)

To achieve Platinum Level status, users must demonstrate at least 250 stories told. This level honors those who show exceptional leadership in positive storytelling and display an unwavering commitment to the #OurStory initiative. Platinum Level users can fully access Saginaw ISD's communication platforms and maintain their access for the duration of their tenure.

DIAMOND (500+ STORIES)

To achieve Platinum Level status, users must demonstrate at least 500+ stories told. This level honors those who show exceptional leadership in positive storytelling and display an unwavering commitment to the #OurStory initiative. Diamond Level users can fully access Saginaw ISD's communication platforms and maintain their access for the duration of their tenure.

ORANGE SPOT RECOGNITION

orange frog

At Saginaw ISD, the Orange Spot program is a recognition initiative that celebrates staff members who demonstrate positive behavior in the workplace. Similar to an employee of the month program, Orange Spot winners are chosen once a month from nominations submitted through our Thrillshare platform. Staff members who exhibit "orange" behavior, such as going above and beyond in their work, demonstrating kindness and respect to others, and embodying the district's core values, are eligible for the award. The Orange Spot program is a way for the district to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of its staff members and to encourage a positive and supportive work environment.

POSITIVE CULTURE & CLIMATE

coty

COTY KUSCHINSKY

Chief of Staff

& Communications Supervisor

E-mail: ckuschinsky@sisd.cc