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NSPRA Plus About NSPRA
If you communicate on behalf of a regional education service agency and provide communications support to multiple districts, this track is for you
Providing communications support to multiple school districts requires a different approach than working within a single system. Regional service agency communicators must respond to diverse needs, support districts with varying communications capacity and build relationships that allow them to provide effective guidance and support.
The Regional Services track of NSPRA Academy is designed specifically for professionals working in regional education service agencies, including ESAs, BOCES, AEAs, ESDs and similar organizations.
Through practical tools, shared examples and structured frameworks, participants will learn how to provide meaningful, sustainable communication support while building trust and credibility with the districts and leaders they serve.
Enroll Your Way: NSPRA Academy offers flexible purchasing options! Enroll in the full track for the complete learning experience or choose individual modules based on your professional development needs.
Registration Information
By the end of the Regional Services 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 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CT, 11 a.m. MT, 10 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: Thursday, September 17, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Understanding Your Role in the Ecosystem
This module helps participants define and communicate their organization's role within a complex network of relationships. Participants will explore how regional organizations create value, identify their primary audiences, and clarify how communication supports both organizational goals and district success. By developing a clearer understanding of their role and influence, participants will be better equipped to make strategic communication decisions throughout the organization.
Module 2: Thursday, October 15, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Communicating Across Multiple Districts
This module explores how regional organizations can move beyond transactional updates and build communication strategies that effectively inform, support, and engage the districts they serve. Participants will examine approaches for balancing consistency with customization, amplifying organizational stories, and developing communication systems that create value across diverse audiences.
Module 3: Thursday, October 29, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Building Systems That Scale
This module explores how communication, culture, onboarding, and staff engagement work together to create organizational capacity. Participants will examine strategies for building shared understanding, strengthening internal communication, and creating systems that help employees become informed ambassadors for the organization.
Module 4: Thursday, November 12, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Building Trust and Credibility Across Multiple Districts
This module explores how communicators can build trust, maintain neutrality, and strengthen influence while working across diverse stakeholders and competing interests. Participants will examine real-world scenarios involving differing district perspectives, sensitive issues, and organizational boundaries, while developing strategies for maintaining credibility and fostering productive relationships over time.
School PR professionals are often expected to wear many hats—from media relations and social media management to photography, graphic design, website updates, and visual storytelling. While it can be difficult to develop expertise in every area, understanding the fundamentals and knowing where to focus your growth can help build confidence and effectiveness over time.
In this fast-paced, practical session, participants will learn from experienced school communication professionals who will share real-world tips, tools, workflows, and lessons learned across several core areas of school PR. Through a series of focused spotlight presentations, attendees will gain actionable strategies they can apply immediately, discover resources that support continued learning, and explore approaches used by practitioners in districts of all sizes. The session concludes with guided reflection and professional growth planning, helping participants identify strengths, prioritize future learning opportunities, and create a personalized roadmap for continued development as school communication leaders.
Module-Level Learning Objectives:
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:
Register: Module 1 (Sep. 17) Understanding Your Role in the Ecosystem
Register: Module 2 (Oct. 15): Communicating Across Multiple Districts
Register: Module 3 (Oct. 29): Building Systems That Scale
Register: Module 4 (Nov. 12): Building Trust and Credibility Across Multiple Districts