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NSPRA Plus About NSPRA
If you lead a school communications team, this track is designed for you. Strengthen your approach to managing people, projects and priorities, build a team that can thrive amid competing demands, and grow your influence as a strategic communications leader.
Leading a communications team requires a shift in focus from managing tasks to guiding people, setting direction, and building systems that support the work.
The Communications Team Leadership track is designed for school communicators who lead a team or department and are responsible for both strategy and execution. This experience focuses on strengthening leadership practices, improving team alignment, and building structures that allow communication efforts to be more consistent, effective, and sustainable.
Participants will explore how to lead with clarity, manage competing priorities, and support team members in ways that build capacity and confidence while still meeting the demands of the role.
Enroll Your Way: NSPRA Academy offers flexible purchasing options! Enroll in the full course for comprehensive development or select individual modules that meet your specific training needs.
Registration Information
By the end of the Communications Team Leadership track, participants will:
Participants will work with the course facilitator on completing their capstone project, a research-driven strategic communication plan for their school, school district or educational service agency.
Enroll in the full course for comprehensive development, or choose individual modules tailored to your needs.
Each live, virtual module will be two hours in length, beginning at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT, 12 p.m. MT, 11 a.m. PT).
Can't attend a module live? All modules will be recorded and available for participants to catch up on-demand for a flexible learning experience.
Sessions will be facilitated by NSPRA Manager of Professional Development and Member Engagement Melissa McConnell and led by NSPRA members with expertise and experience in each module's focus area.
Module 1: Monday, September 21, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Defining Your Role as a Team Leader
Stepping into a communications leadership role requires more than overseeing projects, it requires a different mindset. In this opening module, participants will examine how their role changes as they move from individual contributor to team leader. Through practical examples and reflection, they'll identify where to focus their time, establish leadership priorities, and create greater clarity around their responsibilities. Participants will leave with a stronger leadership foundation to guide the rest of the series.
Module 2: Monday, October 12, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Managing People, Projects and Priorities
Leading a communications team means making difficult decisions about competing priorities, limited capacity, and constant interruptions. This module explores practical systems for aligning work with organizational priorities, managing requests, and creating workflows that help teams stay focused without sacrificing quality. Participants will examine real-world leadership practices that improve visibility, strengthen accountability, and help teams accomplish the right work, not simply more work.
Module 3: Monday, October 19, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Building a Strong and Sustainable Team
Strong communications teams don't happen by accident—they're built through intentional leadership. This module focuses on creating a culture where people can grow, collaborate, and perform at a high level. Participants will explore strategies for coaching team members, establishing accountability, providing meaningful feedback, and developing future leaders while strengthening trust and capacity across the team. With a strong team in place, leaders are positioned to expand their influence across the organization.
Module 4: Monday, November 9, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): From Communication Leader to Strategic Advisor
Exceptional communications leaders shape more than messaging, they help shape organizational decisions. In this culminating module, participants will explore how to build credibility with executive leadership, influence strategic conversations, and position communications as an essential leadership function. Drawing on the leadership, operational, and team development strategies explored throughout the series, participants will leave prepared to lead with greater confidence and organizational impact.
Register: Module 1 (Sep. 21) Defining Your Role as a Team Leader
Register: Module 2 (Oct. 12): Managing People, Projects and Priorities
Register: Module 3 (Oct. 19): Building a Strong and Sustainable Team
Register: Module 4 (Nov. 9): From Communication Leader to Strategic Advisor