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PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT Ian Halperin, Wylie ISD No wonder Ian Halperin, Wylie ISD’s executive director of communications and community relations, has so much experience under his belt. In addition to his past as a newspaper photographer for many years, he changed careers to school PR in 1996. “I’ve photographed every US President since Ronald Reagan, plus four Super Bowls,” he explains. As far as his communications job, he says, “[I] celebrate the many accomplishments of our students and staff, ensure our message is heard above the clatter and promote the district to our many stakeholders.” Halperin has been a friend of TSPRA for 24 years and counting. He served as president between 2016-2017, has chaired Rookie Boot Camp and has served as mentor to many members throughout the years. When asked what it means to win this award, Halperin quips, “It means I’m old. LOL. I would not be where I am professionally without the support and friendship of my TSPRA family. I am grateful for opportunity to share knowledge and help grow our organization and the profession.”
M O S T VA L U A B L E MEMBER Tim Carroll, APR, Allen ISD
Award sponsored by Intrado School Messenger As a TSPRA member since 1995, Tim Carroll, who recently retired from Allen ISD as its Chief Information Officer, has been in school PR since 1981, 25 of which were spent at Allen. While he has been “producing a radio show and/or writing a newspaper column as a hobby for many years,” he says that he has plans to teach PR classes at Texas A&M in Commerce. Showing his professional patina, Carroll says, “I literally started in school PR before desktop computers and social media. I had a typewriter and copy machine. News release[s] were driven to the newspaper office until Fax machines were invented. I had one of the first Mac SE computers in our town. PageMaker and laser printers changed my life!” As the MVP 2020, Carroll explains that he is in good company. “[I’m] Very flattered to receive the award – when I came here in 1995, I remember long-time pros like Bonnie Ellison and Larry Ascough that we all looked up to. It’s an honor to be included in those ranks.”
24 Summer 2020 | www.TSPRA.org
