We’ve made it!

The end of the school year is in sight, and if you can take a moment to breathe between all of your end-of-year celebrations and events, I want to thank you for the work you are doing on behalf of your district, students, and families.

This time of year, it is easy to get lost in the day-to-day cadence of meetings and the overwhelming feeling that there’s just too much to cover. If no one has told you lately, you are doing a great job.

If you attended the PenSPRA Symposium in March, you’ll know that I usually introduce myself the same way most maid of honor speeches start. “For those of you who may not know me, my name is Melissa…” After being named School Communicator of the Year, I’m not sure I can say that anymore. Though now I feel as if many of you know who I am, I’d love to know you! Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, shoot me a message if you are going to the NSPRA Seminar in July, or follow @allentownschools on Instagram!

Any good maid of honor then shares an early memory. Before Allentown School District, my career has always been about fun—telling the stories that made people feel something, making memories. From sports to live entertainment to nonprofits and music education, I 've been lucky to capture some incredible moments. As a 19-year-old intern for the Philadelphia Eagles, I vividly remember holding a cable in the end zone (for the real pro video team), getting out of the way of a touchdown—that’s a memory. Knowing in advance which marching band is about to win their first state championship, focused on them, waiting for a reaction on Instagram live—that’s a memory.

It’s easy to make my job sound like a highlight reel, but I’m just like you: a department of one, sometimes without the support from colleagues, facing long hours, burnout, and moments where I’ve wondered if I should just walk away. Despite that, I’ve come to realize that even if I leave Allentown School District, a job in communications will still mean midnight crisis phone calls, missed dinners, and multitasking through lunch.

I’m not going to tell you to remember your why, but I can tell you to look for the moments that turn into memories. Earlier this month, I accidentally walked into a pre-K graduation photo shoot, complete with tiny caps & gowns, and was reduced to a puddle of tears, because they were just too cute. Just last week at our retirement celebration, a 5th grade student told me that my outfit “ate.” Thank you, queen!

Most impactful, during our mid-November (the timing here is critical) Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting, our senior students, feeling the impact of current events, admitted that they probably couldn’t do much to change school for their classmates. Instead of checking out, they started to brainstorm ways they could improve things for the incoming freshmen, reminding me that our students care about making the world a better place.

In closing, let’s bring it back to why we are here: the K-12 education landscape will change drastically over the next few years, and there is no denying that communications professionals will be thrust into the spotlight. It isn’t going to get easier. The burnout will ebb and flow. It’s not your job to solve every problem, but it is your job to help your community feel seen, heard, and supported. Remember to look for the moments that make you smile and keep your focus on what matters most—the students.

Please, reach out if you need help on a tough project, want to brainstorm, or just need a reminder that you’re on the right track. That’s what PenSPRA is for, and it’s how I made it through my first few years in Allentown, which feels like a whole pandemic ago.

All good speeches end with advice. As things wind down (do they ever, really?), I want to challenge you to take three things with you into this summer:

• Find a work moment from the last year, where you doubled over with laughter or cried happy tears. Hold on to it.
• If you’re feeling stuck, go visit a classroom. It’s the fastest way to regain your perspective, and you might even leave with great content or a new story idea. (And don’t pet class ducks, they bite.)
• Don’t feel guilty about taking vacation time, even if you can’t disconnect 100%. You deserve it, and they will survive, mostly. 

🌟 Ready for whatever comes next!