When I was named National School Communicator of the Year last July at the NSPRA 2025 National Seminar, I knew I wanted my platform to be about more than just celebrating successes. I wanted to talk about how we actually survive and thrive in the trenches of school public relations.

Over the past year, I’ve had the chance to travel across the country (presenting both in-person and virtually) to some incredible NSPRA chapters. From my own peers at ALSPRA in Alabama to SUNSPRA in Florida, NebSPRA in Nebraska, MinnSPRA in Minnesota, INDSPRA in Indiana, and both MSPRAs (Michigan and Mississippi), I carried a message close to my heart: "You’ve Got a Mentor in Me." It was a way to pay tribute to my own mentor, the late Nez Calhoun, but also to spotlight a real need in our industry.

School PR can be one of the most rewarding careers imaginable. We get to tell the success stories of our students, celebrate our dedicated teachers and build bridges into our communities. But let’s be honest: It is also one of the most demanding.

Between 24/7 crisis communication, high-stakes politics and the sheer volume of daily requests, the threat of burnout is real and always there. In a field where many are "one-person shops," it’s incredibly easy to feel like you're stuck on an island all by yourself.

That’s why mentorship is a vital lifeline. It certainly was for me! I simply wouldn’t have had a successful 25+ year career without my school PR and school district mentors. They didn't just teach me the ropes; they helped mold me into the leader I am today.

Mentoring: A Reciprocal Relationship

When you have a mentor, you have a sounding board - someone who has potentially survived the exact crisis you’re facing right now. Mentorship provides a safe space for encouragement, mutual learning and building emotional resilience. It’s the difference between feeling like you're drowning versus navigating a situation with a steady hand because someone reminds you, “You’ve got this, and I’m here.”

And here’s the best part: Mentorship is a two-way street! Mentoring is a powerful, reciprocal relationship that helps mitigate burnout risk by providing comprehensive support and fostering professional growth for both individuals. 

For a new professional, having a veteran in your corner fast-tracks your confidence. It gives you permission to trust your gut and keeps you from having to reinvent the wheel every time a crisis hits.

For the veteran, mentoring keeps your perspective fresh. It reminds you of your "why" and connects you to new ideas and emerging technologies. I’ve "admired and acquired" so many amazing ideas from the professionals I’ve mentored. Honestly, I think I’ve learned just as much from them as they ever learned from me.

Building a Culture of Connection

If we want to strengthen our profession, we have to be intentional about cultivating this culture. We need to look out for the new faces at chapter meetings or at the National Seminar in New Orleans. We should be reaching out to our local, state and national peers just to check in on each other.

As my time as your School Communicator of the Year winds down, my commitment to this message doesn't. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve you this year, reconnect with old friends and welcome so many new colleagues into my circle.

If your chapter is looking for a virtual speaker for an upcoming meeting or PD session, I’d love to share this message with your members. Let's keep the conversation going.

To everyone who welcomed me this year, thank you. Remember, you don't have to do this job alone. Look around your chapters, find your people and never forget—you’ve got a mentor in me.

Ready to find your mentor—or become one? NSPRA's Mentor Match program connects school communication professionals across experience levels for guidance, support and professional growth.