Dear PenSPRA friends:

“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t yet met.” That quote is often attributed to Irish poet William Butler Yeats, but it has recently found new life on TikTok, thanks to videos featuring overly friendly dogs. No matter how you interpret it, the essence – turning strangers into friends – is PenSPRA.

As I step into the role of Vice President/President-Elect of PenSPRA, I’m filled with gratitude and renewed determination. Earlier this year, I shared that I came close to stepping away from my role in Allentown School District (ASD). Things still aren’t perfect, no district is, but they are better. And part of that is thanks to the support I’ve found in PenSPRA.

When I moved from agency work to ASD, I was in over my head. I sought connection and reached out to one of the greats, Kristin Boyd Edwards, formerly from Reading School District, who became an unofficial mentor and sounding board throughout the pandemic. (Shameless plug: Join our official mentorship program by contacting PenSPRA Board Membership Chair Amy Buckman at BuckmaA@lmsd.org)

Within PenSPRA, I’ve found not just colleagues, but friends. People who understand the insane challenges and emotional payoffs that come with this work. People who can raise a glass (or a mac & cheese ball) while discussing the impact of AI on our work, but also our pets, kids, or whether the Eagles will make it to the Super Bowl again.

In Allentown, we say we are “lighting the way,” and over the next few years, I want to shine that light on what we do at PenSPRA, as well as what you bring to your districts and in your respective roles. In this role, I am excited to continue expanding professional learning opportunities through our symposium, celebrating innovation, and strengthening the systems that sustain and scale our work. Together, we have to be the ones who light the way for what effective, ethical, equitable, and strategic school communications can be in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Reflecting on the drastic shift in K-12 education over the last 10 months reinforces the need for those in our role to continue growing stronger, more strategic, and proving our worth within our districts. PenSPRA’s mission has never been more critical: to strengthen the role of the school communications professional, celebrate student & teacher achievement, and lead our work in a meaningful way.

So, if you haven’t connected lately, consider this your personal invitation! I am a TikTok user with an overly friendly dog! Connect on LinkedIn. Share your stories. Join a committee. In PenSPRA, we turn “strangers” into “friends,” and it’s that collective impact that keeps our organization vibrant and relevant.