New Canaan Country School will host “A Positive Approach to Navigating Social Media and Technology” a presentation by Social Media Coach Josh Lutkus of The Social Institute on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The event is co-sponsored by New Canaan CARES.
The event will be held at New Canaan Country School, 635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, and is open to the public. Registration required: www.countryschool.net/social
Whether your child has a smartphone, flip phone or no phone, Social Media Coach Josh Lutkus will offer a refreshing, positive approach for parents to guide and support children in making positive choices while using technology in social ways.
– Learn the most popular apps and safest privacy settings
– Develop a Family Standards agreement you can use today
– Practice building trust through open conversations with your child
Founded by Duke 4x All-American and social media expert Laura Tierney, The Social Institute partners with schools nationwide to empower students, parents, and leaders to navigate social media and technology positively — all through a positive, gamified, and student-led approach that teens embrace and respect.
By reinforcing character and leadership strengths like empathy, integrity, and teamwork, and by teaching students and their role models to champion high character on all social platforms, The Social Institute empowers students to win at social media and technology. The organization’s unique positive approach has been featured in the Washington Post, NAIS Magazine, and has been applauded by Melinda Gates.
As Partner Success Manager at The Social Institute, Josh Lutkus works closely with partner schools to develop, guide, and successfully implement the #WinAtSocial Program with students, parents, and educators. He shares best practices and coordinates strategies to ensure each partner receives the most effective and engaging social media education customized to their needs.
Prior to The Social Institute, Josh spent his career helping schools design, successfully launch, and nurture programs that support the needs and values of its students. After starting his career in Charlotte with Gaston Day School then Charlotte Prep School, Josh returned to his alma mater Gaston Day as Dean of Students where he wore many hats – from planning events and booking speakers to managing social media issues and DJ’ing the school dance. At Gaston Day, Josh was an all-around player, collaborating directly with the executive leadership team, faculty, parents, and students.
Josh has first-hand knowledge of how The Social Institute’s programs benefit and enrich schools. He first met The Social Institute team at the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools annual conference, and jokes that it was love at first handshake. Josh championed bringing The Social Institute’s speaker program to Gaston Day School, which eventually led to a multi-year partnership.
Josh’s career as a student-athlete has fueled his drive, leadership, and positive attitude. During high school, Josh was named Athlete of the Year and was an All-Conference and All-State honoree for basketball. He went on to play basketball at the Division II level and was later inducted into the Gaston Day Athletic Hall of Fame. Josh now plays on behalf of schools nationwide, equipping their entire community to navigate social media and technology in positive, high character ways.
