TSPRA Talk What’s happening in TSPRA

continued from Page 59

difficult it can be to get kids back on track if they’re interrupted during instructional time – all of the things you intuitively know if you’ve worked on a campus but have no clue about otherwise.

You will have more fulfillment in school PR than anything else you’ve ever done because you know you are making a difference each day.

Even on my worst day in school PR, I can look at what I did that day and point out at least one thing I did to make a difference in my community, for the people who live, learn and work here. It’s incredibly fulfilling and satisfying, and I am so lucky that I get to do this job every day!

KIMBERLY SIMPSON

Chief of Communications Lancaster ISD

Advocating for the school PR role

When I started to work in school communications, I was amazed at how some individuals didn’t recognize the value of having a dedicated person or team handle school communications. As I transitioned into school PR, I found myself constantly educating and advocating for the importance of the role and sometimes having to defend why our positions were needed. Finally, I realized that school PR professionals must be advocates for our industry. We have the responsibility of setting the tone on the importance of our roles and proving why we are a vital part of the daily operation of a school district.

Self-care

One school year, I became extremely ill with the flu and bronchitis. It was horrible. I was off work for two weeks and couldn’t stand that I was sick and missing so much time from work. My superintendent at the time called to check on me and ended our phone conversation by saying, “Kim, you need to take care of yourself. Health is wealth, and remember, there will always be more work for you to do. Get well soon.” He was right. At that moment, I realized that I needed to focus on myself to recover. I wish I had known I needed to detach from my job to heal, during that time. I now know, especially after working in school PR during a global pandemic, that self-care is essential, and it is more than ok to take the time you need to heal. If we are not at our best, we cannot perform at our best, and our school districts need their communication practitioners at their best.

Discovering school PR

I learned about school PR during my time as a photojournalist at an NBC affiliate in central Texas. While covering a story, I was able to interview the PIO of Waco ISD. During that interview, I discovered what the role of the PIO did, and it intrigued me. While in college, I learned about several job options in the communications industry; however, I had not considered the role in a school district setting. Had I known that role existed earlier on, I probably would have considered school PR track earlier in my career.

Networking

I can’t stress to individuals the importance of networking. At the beginning of my career, I knew it was imperative to venture out and meet as many people in our industry as possible. I was told to join and volunteer for organizations, attend conferences and do the work to improve as a communications professional. Although I did this reluctantly at times, it has benefited me greatly. I did not know that the connections made early in my career would prove beneficial now in my career. I am grateful that I was taught the value of relationships and the power of networking.

School PR friends

Without a doubt, you must find a good circle of School PR friends and never let them go. Had I known this early on in my career, I would have reached out to my special group of friends long ago to establish the bond we share today. I am blessed to call some of the most incredible School PR professionals friends, and their continued support is something I value.

NICOLE LYONS

Assistant Director of Communications Keller ISD

Become a student again

Every day I learn something new. Whether it’s sitting in on an engineering class, listening to a board presentation on the annual budget or having a conversation with a first grader during a campus visit, everyone in a school district has something to teach us if we are open to learning.

Do the “heart” work

As the daughter and wife of public-school educators, I just thought I was passionate about schools, but once I really got started, my heart grew more connected to the stories between the campus walls. The more I’ve cared about a story, the better the finished product.

Set boundaries

It’s taken me many years but turning the phone off and sometimes saying “no” was recently lifechanging for me, and I haven’t once regretted the boundaries I’ve set. In fact, oftentimes, I’ve been a better PR pro (and mother and wife) for it. When I place an emphasis on letting myself unplug and recharge, I’m able to see things from a fresh perspective and make more sound decisions.

Build relationships

“They won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” is often shared with teachers, but it’s also 100 percent true for district administrators. The relationships you build will not only blossom into lifelong friendships (more about that next) but also will result in a better connection with the campuses and knowledge of what is happening, which allows you to be a better storyteller.

Work friends will become family

If you would have told me about the countless lifelong friends I would make through school PR, I don’t think I would have believed it was possible. Through not only TSPRA friendships (which are the best in the world, by the way) but also through campus relationships, I feel like I have one huge family who loves, supports and roots for me. I couldn’t ask to be surrounded by better people.

Want to share your top five? Email Tracie at tseed@tspra.org.

Important Dates

JANUARY

3 $100 administrative fee for any 2022 TSPRA Conference cancellation through Jan. 23, 2022 12 Online learning series: Quick Tips for Video Editing for Social Media and Creating Captions and Transcripts with Cheryal Loosmore, Lake Travis ISD 12 San Antonio regional meeting 13 East Texas regional meeting - virtual 14 North Texas subregional meetings 14 Central Texas regional meeting at Hays CISD 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 18 Online learning series: Canva in a Crunch with JMat Bernel, Texas Tribune 19 Online learning series: Interviews | How to Prepare for Effective Interviews and Ask the Right Questions with Jennifer Hines, Tyler ISD 20 Online learning series: The Secret to Crafting Compelling Stories and Engaging Stockholders with Veronica Sopher, TSPRA President, Fort Bend ISD 20 Gulf Coast regional meeting 24 Online learning series: Lunch with Lawyer Dennis Eichelbaum 24 No refund for #TSPRA22 Conference cancellations | substitutions allowed through Feb.24, 2022. 24 $100 late fee added for all #TSPRA22 Conference registrations received through Feb. 24 27 Houston/Beaumont regional meeting at Aldine ISD

FEBRUARY

Black History Month

3 Online learning series: Super Bowl of Sports Marketing with Shannon Schwartz, Ty Parker, Devin Ward, Lubbock ISD and Joe Kostiha, Assistant Athletic Director, Weatherford ISD 7 Deadline for those paying by check to submit payment to Kalahari Resort and Convention Center for #TSPRA22 Conference 7 Deadline for those with hotel reservations at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center for #TSPRA22 Conference to submit credit card authorization forms 8 #TSPRA 22 Preconference Required Pre-Work Zoom session for those registered to attend Get Your Google On! Measurement (Analytics) Intensive Workshop with Fran Stephenson, APR, Step In Communications 9 Online learning series: Quick Tips for Improving Video Sound with Garrett Dollar, Independent Videographer and Corey Ryan, CPC, Leander ISD 9 Remo.co rehearsal and training for #TSPRA Remote Roundtable Presenters 9 San Antonio meeting 10 Remo rehearsal for Remote Roundtables for presenters 11 North Texas regional meeting 11 Central Texas regional meeting at Round Rock ISD 15 Remo orientation for Remote Roundtables conference attendees 15 Goose Chase launches for those attending #TSPRA22 Conference 20 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 TSPRA Executive Committee Dinner and Installation of Officers 21 Presidents Day 21 #TSPRA22 Preconferences 22 TWOsday (2/22/22) 22-23 2022 Professional Award recipients announced 22-24 60th annual TSPRA Conference at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Round Rock 25 TSPRA State Offices Closed

MARCH

Women’s History Month

11 Final day for to submit receipts for conference expense reimbursement (consultants, scholarship, others) 11 Central Texas regional meeting at Pflugerville ISD 14-18 TSPRA State Offices closed 24 Houston/Beaumont regional meeting at ESC-4 30 East Texas Chapter meeting-virtual APRIL 8 North Texas subregional meetings 8 Central Texas regional meeting at Eanes ISD 13 San Antonio regional meeting For more info, visit our website at www.TSPRA.org.14 West Central regional meeting 14 TSPRA Exhibitor Extravaganza – via Remo 15 TSPRA State Offices Closed

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Molly Adams, Aransas County ISD Mike Alvarez, Alief ISD Cynthia Arellano, Roma ISD Typhani Bartholomew, Lancaster ISD Sheri Brezeale, Midlothian ISD John Briese, Millsap ISD Allison Boerger, San Antonio ISD Belen Casillas, Chapel Hill ISD Adelina Cruz, Alief ISD Hector Dominguez, Runge ISD Jennifer Edwards, Dripping Springs ISD Renee Fairchild, Sweet Home ISD Anissa Faris, Hillsboro ISD Thomas Ferrer, Donna ISD Kelly Follis, Seguin ISD John Forbis, Canyon ISD Derek Fry, Fort Bend ISD Joshua Garcia, Aransas County ISD Lizette Garcia, Harmony Public Schools Nicholas Gravois, Lewisville ISD Mike Gutt, Coppell ISD Walter Hailey, Winfree Academy Charter Schools Jo Ann Hernandez, Georgetown ISD Drew Hurt, Pasadena ISD Alice Jauregui, Waco ISD Veronica Johannsen, Corsicana ISD Sandy King, Waxahachie ISD Rachel Kistner, Italy ISD Todd Kleiboer, Sherman ISD Vanessa Koch, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Michael Lam, Galena Park ISD Adrienne Lott, Port Arthur ISD Louie Loya, Galena Park ISD Shannon Luis, Era ISD Mariella Martinez, West Orange-Cove CISD Susan Meyer, Pflugerville ISD Anthony Mireles, Channelview ISD Matthew McCaig, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Fabiana Montenegro, Harmony Public Schools Magaly Nieto, Ector County ISD Sandy Joel Nihlean, TASB Christian Nicholson, Canyon ISD Kimberly Pagach, Caldwell ISD Hugh Piatt, Pampa ISD Gil Perez, Aransas County ISD Colette Pledger, Robinson ISD Amy Pope, Sweeny ISD Veronica Ramon, Lyford CISD Logan Reuland, Georgetown ISD Kari Ring, RMA Public Schools Sarah Roddy, ESC Region 13 Elizabeth “Lizzy” Samples, Hutto ISD Monica Saenz, Southside ISD Carrie Saunders, Richardson ISD Denise Schulz, TASB Daniel Smith, Hutto ISD Denise Sloss, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Heather Smith, Lockhart ISD Willie Thomas, Robinson ISD Cynthia Torres, Sharyland ISD Gustavo Trevino, Pasadena ISD Michael Uriegas, Carrizo Springs CISD Kirsten Valle, White Settlement ISD Reece Waddell, Sanger ISD Connie Wallace, Duncanville ISD Diana Ybanez, Vanguard Academy

as of 1/10/22

Save Date the

2023

Annual Conference February 20-23 Omni Fort Worth