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35 Under 35: Eric Steckling

NEW in 2024: As NSPRA introduces the Emerging Leaders Award, the association is sunsetting the 35 Under 35 recognition while still reflecting the best aspects of the honor in a new, more expansive and inclusive award. These changes were inspired by member insights gathered by the NSPRA Awards Task Force.

Every other year, NSPRA's 35 Under 35 program recognizes school public relations professionals who are making a difference for their school districts or education-related employers. The sixth class of NSPRA's 35 Under 35 program is sponsored by Rhodes Branding.

StecklingEric Steckling
Director of Communications and Community Relations
Deerfield (Ill.) Public Schools District 109

How many years have you worked in school PR?
4 years.
 
What have you found to be the most rewarding part about working in school PR?

Every day, I have the opportunity to see a student learn something new. It's incredibly rewarding to be part of that experience and document the journey kids go through as they discover more about the world around them. In my role, I get to help amplify their voice and, at times, let them tell their own story, which is incredibly satisfying. Schools are all about hope and the promise of shaping tomorrow's leaders.

 
What have you found to be the most challenging part about working in school PR? How do you approach those challenges?

I started this career IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC. (What was I thinking?) Everything that went into those first two years felt like survival, but also I knew that many people were relying on and consuming the information I put out. Ever since the pandemic has largely passed us, I would say another major challenge is constantly monitoring and re-evaluating communication channels and frequency. How much is too much? What are the most effective times and methods to reach people? I feel like you can never stop asking and exploring those questions.

 
What has been your most fulfilling professional experience thus far? 

I started a storytelling brand called "What's Good in 109" (you can tell I worked in TV news) and have been able to capture dozens of stories featuring students and staff doing amazing things in and outside of our schools. We also arranged the Board of Education meetings to start with a "What's Good" segment where I present pictures and videos of things happening inside our schools and we bring in students to present and be honored in front of the board.

Are there any emerging trends in school public relations that excite you?
I think the discussion around social-emotional health and work-life balance is fantastic and needed. I think the experience of going through the pandemic has recalibrated the priorities of a lot of people and I hope we don't lose of that as we get further away from it.
 

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