Hello PenSPRA membership!

My name is Jennifer Shealy and I get to serve as PenSPRA’s president-elect. That means on September 1, 2025, I will begin my two-year term as president.

I’ve been the director of communications at Downingtown Area School District (DASD) since 2019, and, before that, worked in the communications department at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU). I received my MS in communications from Drexel University and my undergrad in neuroscience from Pitt. I live in Glenmoore, PA with my husband, my 9-year-old daughter Nora and my 5-year-old son Connor. My parents both worked for DASD; I graduated from DASD; and my kids both currently attend DASD schools. I enjoy singing, binge watching Netflix, and spending quality time with friends and family.

As an award-winning communications professional with 14+ years of school communications experience, you might think that I possess a high level of self confidence. Heck, I’m going to be the next president of a statewide communications organization! Well the joke is on you…

The truth of the matter is that I have gotten really good at making it look like I have myself together. In actuality, I suffer from (sometimes crippling) anxiety and a boatload of imposter syndrome. For the anxiety, I work with a doctor to help prevent it from getting in the way of daily life. For the imposter syndrome, I have the benefit of professional advice, article suggestions, and my lived experience to help me overcome those creeping doubts in myself.

Five Tools to Overcome Anxiety & Doubt

Since communications is often seen and/or treated as a “small A” administrator role in districts, I’m guessing some of you may occasionally feel the same way. I’m here to share some of my tactics that give me that kick in the pants to get over my self-doubt. Hopefully something will resonate and help you, too.

1. Trust the people who put you in charge
   
   I know, I know, you think you tricked them. Ask yourself, do you think they are intelligent? Do you respect their opinions? Do you believe them when they tell you something? So when they put their confidence in you by putting you in this role, why don’t you trust them!? They made a decision that was based on facts and years of experience and education - don’t minimize or discount that!
   
   

2. Find and address your triggers
   
   Is there a certain person who intimidates you or makes you feel less-than? Recognize that they are human and have their own flaws, too. Have you made a mistake? Take responsibility, learn from it, and give yourself permission to move forward. Scared to try something new? Remind yourself that you can do hard things. Google tells me that it was Albert Einstein who said, “Failure is success in progress.”
   
   

3. Recognize that false thoughts are a real thing.
   
   Speaking of Google, go look up cognitive distortions. They are basically your brain messing with you. For me, being able to put a real definition to these intrusive thoughts helps me to recognize that just maybe they are not entirely true. Here are a few cognitive distortions that I catch myself thinking, and how I reframe those negative thoughts:

   • Labeling - just because you made one mistake doesn’t mean you're a failure.
   • Mind reading - there is no way for you to know exactly what a person thinks about you, so stop trying to control their thoughts.
   • Personalization - just because the community is mad about a district decision doesn’t mean it’s your fault that they are mad.

4. Ask yourself if you need to make a change.
   
   Is there too much on my plate? Did I make a mistake? (We all do!) There is no shame in failing, making an adjustment and trying again. Give yourself grace to learn and grow.
   
   

5. Phone a friend.
   
   When all else fails, I ask for help. At DASD, my HR director is that person. A fellow female in a male-dominated cabinet who just gets it. She is someone to tell me that kids are going to get sick and it’s ok to take a day off of work; sometimes you make a mistake, but so does everyone; sometimes you’re not going to have it all together andthat’sok! None of that means you’re not good at your job. None of that means that you don’t deserve respect and good things. None of that means that you’ve tricked everyone around you into believing that you are qualified and capable. If you don’t have that person in a colleague, find a mentor (insert shameless plug that PenSPRA has a great mentorship program).

Once you recognize your imposter syndrome, you can start getting over it. You will find yourself actually feeling confident once in a while (and not just pretending). You’ll be able to get over it faster when self-doubt invades your thoughts. You will start taking the risks that lead to building more self confidence.

I’m still a work in progress, but that doesn’t take away from my value. And it doesn’t take away from yours either. You can earn the respect of your colleagues. You can reach your goals. You can be the next PenSPRA president. 

To that point, if you have ever thought that joining the PenSPRA board might be a fun new adventure, don’t doubt yourself - give it a try! If I can do it, so can you!

In closing, remember, 'Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.' Overcoming imposter syndrome has been a journey for me, and I know it can be for all of us. But one of my favorite things about PenSPRA is that together, we can build a community of support and encouragement where we uplift each other and celebrate our achievements. So remember that we are all capable, valuable, and deserving of success… and if you ever forget it, just give me a call!