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NebSPRA
Nebraska Schools Public Relations Association

NebSPRA School Communicator of the Year Award

This year's fall conference includes the announcement of the 2025 Nebraska School Communicator of the Year. Nominations for the award are open now, with a submission deadline of Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

This award will honor one outstanding individual from the school public relations profession in Nebraska. This program is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership and contributions of active, front-line school communicators who work full-time in school districts or education service agencies.

The state level winner will be eligible to compete for the National School Public Relations Association Communicator of the Year Award.

NOMINATION FORM

CRITERIA:

Each candidate of the NebSPRA School Communicator of the Year Award will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Leadership: Demonstrated leadership in successfully meeting the communication needs of their school system/educational service agency and NebSPRA.
    Examples may include leading successful communication campaigns, overcoming an internal communication challenge, creating a robust strategic communication plan, earning a highly credible reputation with peers, and serving NebSPRA in various capacities. 

  • Communication: Demonstrated strength in both personal and organizational communication.
    Examples may include evidence of persuasion, the power of engagement, or influence in decision making.

  • Professionalism: Constant improvement of knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and mentoring to others. Demonstrates ethics and professionalism in communication.
    Examples may include achieving accreditation in public relations (APR), serving as a speaker at the chapter or national level, counseling other educational leaders on communication issues, or earning recognition as a role model and someone whose communication skills have impacted the lives of others.

  • Community Involvement: Active participation in their local community activities and an understanding of regional and national issues.
    Examples may include volunteering in their local community, organizing a fundraising event for their community, or writing an article that demonstrates broad knowledge of the complexities of public education.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Candidates must hold a current membership in NebSPRA.

  • Candidates must plan to continue working in the profession.

  • Candidates can have other duties, but primarily must serve as front-line school communicators who work full-time in school districts or education service agencies.

SUBMISSION MATERIALS:

Nominators will submit the following via a Google Form.

  • Written statements addressing each of the four criteria: Leadership, Communication, Professionalism, and Community Involvement

  • Two letters of recommendation

  • May also upload a written document (maximum of two pages) that provides additional information to support the nomination. The document may include links to examples of work.

THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

  • A physical award presented at a monthly NebSPRA meeting

  • Statewide recognition through NebSPRA publications, website, and social media

  • Notification to their superintendent and school board

  • Local NebSPRA membership for the subsequent year

  • NSPRA Professional Level Membership for the subsequent year

JUDGING:

  • School communications professionals from other SPRAs will judge the submissions. The NebSPRA Board of Directors will determine the final winner.

NOMINATION FORM

Previous Nebraska School Communicators of the Year