M E M B E R BENEFITSGUIDE
This guide helps our members make the most of their membership. Inside, you’ll find exclusive offerings and valuable savings designed to support your professional growth.
The National School Public Relations Association provides school communication training and services to school leaders throughout the United States, Canada and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools worldwide. As the leader in school communication™ since 1935, NSPRA today serves nearly 3,000 members who work primarily as communication directors in public school districts and education organizations. NSPRA provides high quality professional development programming through on-demand learning, an annual National Seminar, webinars, online forums and resources.
NSPRA’s mission is to develop professionals to communicate strategically, build trust and foster positive relationships in support of their school communities. That mission is accomplished by developing and providing a variety of diverse products, services and professional development activities to association members as well as to other education leaders interested in improving their communication efforts.
NSPRA Bylaws and Policies guide the association, which is governed by the 12-member NSPRA Executive Board. NSPRA also has established a Code of Ethics, which serves as a guide to members for what conduct is appropriate in everyday work situations.
NSPRA is a member of the Learning First Alliance and the Universal Accreditation Board. The association also maintains collaborative working relationships with other national education associations and corporate communication professionals.
Read the most recent Annual Report.
2025-2026EXECUTIVEBOARDMEMBERS
Kelly Wachel, APR President 2025-2027
Heidi Vega, APR Immediate Past President 2025-2026
Janine Thorn VP for Diversity Engagement 2023-2026
David Beil Northwest Region Vice President 2024 - 2027
Jake Potter, APR South Central Region Vice President 2023 - 2026
Kate Crowder Southeast Region Vice President 2024 - 2027
Andrew Robinson Mideast Region Vice
Christy McGee, APR Southwest Region V President 2025 - 2028
Terri McHugh, APR North Central Region Vice President 2023 - 2026
Monica Lester, APR Northeast Region Vice President 2025 - 2028
Dr. Jennifer Cruz VP at LargeSuperintendents 2025-2027
Barbara Hunter, APR Executive Director bhunter@nspra.org
Melissa Braham, APR, CAE Associate Director mbraham@nspra org
Kevin Lynch Director of Finance and Operations klynch@nspra.org
Colleen Lewallen, CMP Manager, Seminar and Partnerships clewallen@nspra org
Sarah Loughlin Manager, Communications sloughlin@nspra.org
Melissa McConnell Manager, Professional Development and Member Engagement mmcconnell@nspra org
Alyssa Teribury Manager, Communications Research ateribury@nspra org
Marian Ceribo Business Services Specialist mceribo@nspra org
Meagan Dorsey Communication, Engagement and Marketing Specialist mdorsey@nspra org
Jessica Scheckton, APR Communication Research Specialist jscheckton@nspra org
Bethlehem Alemayehu Administrative Assistant balemayehu@nspra org N S P R A S T A F F
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Live Webinars
On-Demand Learning Library
Access to Salary and Career Surveys Ongoing
Expert Knowledge Reports on Hot Topics and Timely Issues Ongoing
Member Monday Virtual Meet-Ups
K12PRChat
Virtual, Topic-Focused Discussions
Mentor Match Program
School PR & Education News You Can Use Newsletter
Member Memo Newsletter
Elevation e-Newsletter
Accreditation Alert Newsletter
Timely Issues & Emerging Trends Resources
(September–June)
(September–June)
An NSPRA membership delivers more than $4,500 in annual value, including free professional development, networking opportunities, as well as discounts on award applications and event registrations.
MEMBERSHIPDISCOUNTS
OPPORTUNITIES VALUE MEMBER BENEFIT
APR Exam Stipend
$110
APR Application Fee Savings Up to $360
APR Practice Exam $145
NSPRA Academy: Strategic Communications Track
NSPRA Academy: New Professionals Track
Non-Member Rate:
$449 per Module; $1500 for Program
Non-Member Rate:
$425 per Module; $2000 for Program
One-time stipend for members who earn their APR (Prof & Partners)
Reduced application fee through UAB & NSPRA support
Member Rate: $35 ($110 Savings)
Member Rate: $325 per Module; $1000 for Program
Member Rate: $299 per Module; $1500 for Program
MODULE BUNDLE RATES AVAILABLE
ember Rate: 99 per Module; 500 for Program
ember Rate: 500
NSPRA Academy offers professional development for school communication professionals and district leaders, helping them adapt and thrive in changing education landscapes. With targeted learning tracks tailored to experience levels, participants gain practical strategies and tools to enhance long-term communication efforts. Four unique tracks are available to support individual growth and influence in school communication.
SIGNATURELEARNINGPROGRAMS
NSPRA offers year-round professional development opportunities in support of our mission to develop professionals to communicate strategically, build trust and foster positive relationships in support of their school communities.
Learn more about NSPRA Academy tracks, programs, webinar series and more below.
Lead with Impact. Communicate with Purpose. Today’s education landscape is more complex than ever. From safety concerns to community trust to shifting expectations, effective communication is essential.
APR Cohort Program – Ready to earn your Accreditation in Public Relations? Join a motivated virtual community of professionals for group study, expert guidance, and shared resources designed to keep you on track, inspired, and confident from start to finish.
APR Cohort Program – Ready to earn your Accreditation in Public Relations? Join a motivated virtual community of professionals for group study, expert guidance, and shared resources designed to keep you on track, inspired, and confident from start to finish.
The Leadership in School Communication (LISC) program is a one-of-a-kind professional development series designed to strengthen the alignment of district leaders and school communications professionals to deliver clear, consistent messaging that builds trust, drives engagement and improves readiness for highstakes moments.
Presented in partnership by the National School Public Relations Association and AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Sponsored by Finalsite.
PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
NSPRA offers a wide range of resources, tools, and training to help school PR professionals grow their skills and stay ahead. From webinars and academies to research and communication templates, NSPRA supports your professional growth at every stage.
SCHOOL PR & EDUCATION NEWS YOU CAN USE
School PR & Education News You Can Use is a curated collection of the latest news, articles and trends in education and the public relations field delivered each week directly to your inbox.
ACCREDITATION ALERT
Accreditation Alert is a newsletter designed exclusively for members who have earned their accreditation in public relations (APR). Published quarterly, each issue provides accredited members with information, news and opportunities to further support their career and development.
MEMBER MEMO
Member Memo provides a quick read for busy school PR professionals who want to stay on top of their game. Learn about NSPRA’s many professional development opportunities, celebrate the successes of colleagues and get the latest NSPRA news in this e-newsletter published monthly September through June.
ELEVATION
Elevation takes a deeper dive into timely topics with in depth articles that will inspire you and help you tackle the many issues that school PR professionals must address. These insightful articles, written by NSPRA staff and your colleagues across the nation, will keep you abreast of the challenges and trends that impact schools and school communications.
REPORTS & WHITE PAPERS
NSPRA offers timely research, insightful reports, and practical white papers that help school communication professionals stay ahead of emerging trends and challenges. From navigating misinformation to exploring the impact of generative AI, NSPRA’s thought leadership equips you with the data, strategies, and real-world solutions you need to lead with confidence and credibility in your school community.
PUBLICATIONS&RESOURCES
NSPRA offers a wide range of resources to help school public relations professionals grow their expertise, including expert reports on timely topics like generative AI and misinformation management, weekly and monthly updates on the latest trends in education and communications, and a robust resource library filled with templates, sample materials, and award-winning plans from districts nationwide.
SAMPLESANDRESOURCES(GOLDMINE)
This collection of resources gathered by NSPRA from school communication professionals nationwide is a library of practical templates, real-world samples, award-winning strategies, and comprehensive plans — all organized by topic to make it easy to find what you need. These resources are designed to spark new ideas, provide proven approaches, and support you in tackling communication challenges with confidence. Members only.
BOOKSTORE&MERCHANDISE
NSPRAPLUS
Introducing NSPRA Plus, the premier platform dedicated to school public relations education, featuring high-quality educational video content from NSPRA available on demand! NSPRA Plus offers seamless access to all NSPRA video content in a single location. You can effortlessly search and browse presentations and enjoy playlists whenever and wherever you like.
NSPRA curates and offers for sale a variety of industry books, association publications, handy toolkits and other items of interest to school communicators, including fun public relations swag. Whether you’re looking for general guidance on building a more robust communications program or taking a deep dive into a specific topic, these books, publications and products are for you!
SALARYANDCAREERSURVEYS
NSPRA members can access exclusive member survey reports, including salary and career surveys that highlight metrics such as the job responsibilities of school communicators, average salary ranges, department size and budget and more, which practitioners can use to help inform their own annual communication plans and future endeavors.
NETWORKINGOPPORTUNITIES
NSPRA offers meaningful ways to connect with fellow school PR professionals and grow your network. Join virtual “hangouts” like Member Mondays and K12PRChat, engage in real-time conversations on the
NSPRA Connect online forum and build lasting connections through the Mentor Match program. Attend the NSPRA National Seminar for face-to-face networking with peers from across the country, or schedule a 1:1 session with the Manager of Professional Development & Member Engagement, for personalized support and guidance.
PROFESSIONALPARTNERDIRECTORY
Remember, if you're looking for an expert consultant, agency or vendor to help elevate your school communication efforts, be sure to also check out the NSPRA Professional Partner Directory, an online resource that showcases products, services and expertise offered by NSPRA Professional Partner members!
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WHATMEMBERSARESAYING...
“The NSPRA team have provided so many valuable learning opportunities and resources, I felt engaged and connected all throughout the year. I know it's a lot of work, so I just wanted to share my appreciation.
“I've really appreciated the Crisis Communications Academy and have gained so much information. Being a one-person department, I feel like I don't get enough time to connect with peers and hear about the work they are doing, and this opportunity has been great.
“I’m new to school communications (and therefore to NSPRA) this year. I wanted to tell you I’m so impressed with the frequency and content of resources such as webinars. I am part of another PR professional organization and NSPRA’s offerings feel much more timely and specific. I’m grateful as I dive into this new field of K-12 education.
“I just wanted to say thank you for everything this past year. This was my first year in School PR and I feel like I have learned so much from this Academy as well as many tools to bring back to my work. I had the best time at NSPRA Academy Day, too. It definitely left me feeling inspired and excited for the future
“I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful PD opportunities you've provided. With my weekly newsletter on its summer hiatus, I've had the chance to delve into several inspiring webinars, particularly those related to language and inclusivity. These sessions have inspired me and I'm eager to incorporate what I've learned into my work. Thank you for curating such insightful content for us.
“I've really appreciated the Crisis Communications Academy and have gained so much information. Being a one-person department, I feel like I don't get enough time to connect with peers and hear about the work they are doing, and this opportunity has been great.
“I've been participating in the New Professionals Academy and I just want to say thank you for all of the things we've been learning. It's been a very eye opening and encouraging experience so far and has helped me better serve my district and its students.
NSPRANATIONALSEMINAR
Each year, the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) hosts the largest professional development event dedicated to school communications. The NSPRA National Seminar brings together more than 1,500 school PR professionals, superintendents, and education leaders from across the U.S., Canada and beyond for four days of learning, networking and inspiration.
Whether you’re looking to build your skills, elevate your district’s communication strategy, or expand your professional network, the NSPRA National Seminar offers something for everyone.
Seminar highlights include:
Skill Sessions covering essential school PR topics like crisis communications, engagement, marketing, and strategic planning.
Gold Mine Sessions, packed with practical, proven ideas that attendees can implement immediately.
Networking opportunities with peers through job-alike meetups, regional gatherings, receptions and more.
A bustling Marketplace featuring industry partners, member services and career support.
The Seminar features 150+ breakout sessions across diverse focus areas, including:
AI – Generative AI in school communications
Career – Career growth strategies and tools
Engagement – Internal and external stakeholder communications
ESA – Communications for educational service agencies
Leadership – School PR leadership and strategic counsel
Marketing – Branding and promotional strategies for schools
Strategic Planning – Research-driven communication planning
Tactics – Tools and techniques that work
No matter where it's held, the NSPRA National Seminar is your annual opportunity to recharge, reconnect and return to your district with new ideas, proven practices and a powerful sense of purpose. Recognized by K-12 Dive as a top K-12 education conference to attend, it’s the mustattend event of the year for school communication professionals.
MEMBERPERKSANDSAVINGS
A collection of exclusive offers and discounts curated just for NSPRA members. From professional tools to personal benefits, these perks are designed to add extra value to your membership experience.
Communicate district success with ECRA’s Strategic Dashboard, a powerful tool to tell your district’s story and track key strategic indicators.
MemberDeals is your one stop shop for exclusive discounts and special offers on gift cards, retailers, rental cars and hotels. Plus, preferred seating and tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movies and much more!
NSPRA members save 15%!
ThoughtExchange is the leading survey and engagement platform that helps education leaders quickly gather and analyze qualitative and quantitative feedback using AI-powered insights.
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MEMBERSHIP TYPES
CONTACTUS
At NSPRA, we understand that telling your school’s story and building trust in your community is both rewarding and challenging. You don’t have to do it alone. Our team is here to listen, connect, and help you find the resources and relationships that will support you along the way.
Whether you’re brand-new to school PR or a longtime leader in the field, there’s always a place for you here. Reach out anytime we’d love to hear from you and continue walking alongside you in your professional journey.
For general information or inquiries, please call 301-519-0496 or email info@nspra.org.
NSPRA's headquarters is located at: 15948 Derwood Road Rockville, MD 20855
Membership membership@nspra.org Invoices ar@nspra org
Professional Development Programs pd@nspra.org
