The Email section found under Institution Config / General / Email allows you to set up how emails are sent from ampEducator. This includes system notifications, the default sender address, and optional integration with your own email domain using a supported provider.
You can customize the notification footer, choose from several email provider options, and enable custom "from" addresses for more personalized communication. Depending on the provider you select, additional setup fields will appear underneath to complete the configuration.
To configure email settings in ampEducator, navigate to Institution Config / General / Email and select your preferred provider from the dropdown menu. The setup requirements will vary based on the provider you choose. For all options, you may enable Custom Email From to define the email address that will appear as the sender.
If no provider is selected, ampEducator will automatically send emails using its default system, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This secure, fully managed method uses AWS Simple Email Service (SES) to deliver messages. Emails will be sent from a default ampEducator address, such as [email protected], and no further configuration is needed. This option is ideal for institutions that don’t need to send from a custom domain.
Selecting this option allows ampEducator to send emails on behalf of your institution’s domain using its internal infrastructure. You’ll be asked to enter your domain (e.g., yourschool.edu), and DNS records will be automatically generated. These must be added to your domain’s DNS settings to verify ownership. Once verified, the Domain DNS status will change from Pending to Verified. ampEducator will then be able to send emails on behalf of users within your domain. Each user must verify their email address and can optionally configure a forwarder to receive emails in ampEducator. All communication will originate from your domain, ensuring reliable delivery.
This option enables ampEducator to send and receive emails using the Gmail API. To use this integration, the Google API must be properly configured in your Google Workspace. ampEducator will act on behalf of users through the Gmail API, and each user must verify their email address. Once set up, messages will originate from your domain, helping maintain deliverability and trust.
MS Exchange Online requires SMTP connections authenticated via OAuth. You’ll need to create and register a new application in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). During setup:
- Under Overview, copy the Client ID and Tenant ID into ampEducator.
- Under Certificates & Secrets, create a new client secret and enter it.
- Under Authentication, add a new web platform and use the following redirect URI (listed in ampEducator instructions)
- Ensure Access Tokens and ID Tokens are checked under Implicit Grant and Hybrid Flows.
Once configured, when users verify their email, they will be redirected to Microsoft to authorize access.
This is the most flexible option, allowing you to connect ampEducator to any SMTP-compatible mail server. Each user must configure their own SMTP server in order to send messages from their personal email address. ampEducator will use this server to send on the user’s behalf. You may optionally set up email forwarding so that incoming messages can be received in ampEducator. Emails sent this way originate from each user's configured email and maintain reliable delivery.
When selecting SMTP, use the Auto Config dropdown to choose:
- Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo: Only the account password is required; all server details are automatically configured.
- Manual: You must enter the SMTP server address, port, security settings (TLS or SSL), and account password.
Once all fields are complete, click Save to finalize your configuration.
The Notifications Log displays a record of status messages sent from your configured email provider to ampEducator. These messages—referred to as notifications—are used to track the progress and outcome of email activity within the system.
Notifications are automatically logged regardless of which email provider is used (e.g., ampEducator, Gmail, MS Exchange Online, or SMTP). While this log is always available, it is typically referenced for diagnostic purposes, such as investigating delivery issues or verifying whether a message was successfully processed.
Notification types may include:
- Sent – The email has been successfully sent.
- Delivered – The recipient's server confirmed delivery.
- Received – The email was received by the intended recipient.
- Bounced – Delivery failed (e.g., invalid email address).
- Complaint – The recipient marked the message as spam or flagged it.
Clicking the magnifying glass icon next to an entry opens a detailed view of the message lifecycle, including timestamps and technical processing steps. This is particularly useful when troubleshooting issues related to email communication.
