WHERE
ARE THEY
NOW?
by Tracie Seed TSPRA Communications & Marketing Manager
For 60 years, officially in 2022, TSPRA has had a bevy of highly qualified, effective people in leadership positions. These stewards include the executive committee presidents. Many past presidents continue to be TSPRA members. Here, we catch up with a few of them.
Steven Knagg
Director of Communications (retired) Garland ISD, Feb. 1977-June 2007 TSPRA President, 1985-1986
Before taking his first professional position at Garland ISD upon graduating college, retired Director of Communications Steven Knagg earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. “GISD communications was my first real job out of college. I had never heard the term ‘public relations’ at the time. I learned everything I know through TSPRA and NSPRA. Fortunately, I was adopted and mentored by two TSPRA-NSPRA legions: Larry Ascough of Dallas ISD and Bonnie Ellison of Northside ISD who were both NSPRA presidents,” he explains. Knagg says that over the years he has not only seen TSPRA flourish but also the profession of school communications grow significantly since attending the organization’s seminar in 1978, where there were 35 attendees. “Our profession made a quantum leap with the advent of the internet, social media and 52
Summer 2021 | www.TSPRA.org
the 24-hour news cycle,” he remembers. “Picture achieving your PR goals without those tools today.” Upon retiring from GISD after 30 years, Knagg continued to make presentations to school districts and NSPRA chapters around the country. He was also elected to the GISD Board of Trustees. “It was quite an adventure to sit on the other side of the board table after all those years,” Knagg says. “I am now fully retired and living out in the deep woods of East Texas on 42 acres with Cheryl, my wife of 45 years, where we celebrate life with our children and grandchildren.” Advice for those new to school communications “I would encourage new school communicators to jump into TSPRA and NSPRA with both feet! You will create lifelong friendships that will be an immense help as you work in the world’s most important profession.” Advice for school communications veterans “Veterans, you need to keep your life balanced, go home earlier and use all of your vacation days. You have a never-ending job, and you’ll never be ‘caught up’ so stop trying. Just kick back and enjoy the ride!”
