ISPRA Communicator of the Year
The ISPRA Communicator of the Year award honors exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in school public relations across Iowa. To be eligible, nominees must be:
- A member of ISPRA for the full 2025-26 school year
- A full-time employee in a school district or education agency
- Willing to represent Iowa in the NSPRA Communicator of the Year contest
Entries are judged by school public relations professionals who are members of affiliate National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) state chapters. The winner will be eligible for the NSPRA National School Communicator of the Year award.
Criteria
Each candidate will be evaluated on the following four judging areas:
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- Leadership: Demonstrated leadership in successfully meeting the communication needs of their school district or educational service agency, from leading successful communication campaigns to overcoming communication challenges.
- Communication: Demonstrated strength in both personal and organizational communication.
- Professionalism: Constant improvement of knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and mentoring to others.
- Community Involvement: Active participation and volunteer work in their local community and an understanding of regional, state, and national issues.
Nominations
Nominations are now open until Friday, Sept. 26 at 11:59 p.m.
Past Communicator of the Year Award Winners
- Jarrett Peterson, Ankeny Schools
- Beth Strike, Central Rivers AEA
- Phil Roeder, Des Moines Public Schools
- Jennifer Woodley, Great Prairie AEA
- Andrew Potter, Marshalltown Schools
- Diane Ostrowski, Council Bluffs Schools
- Colleen Scholer, Cedar Rapids Schools
- Deron Stender, Creston Schools (2024)
Questions?
Contact ISPRA Awards Co-Chairs Jen Woodley at jwoodley@ia-sb.org or Kayla Choate at kchoate@waukeeschools.org.