2026 School Communicator of the Year Award

PenSPRA Announces 2026 School Communicator of the Year: Amy Buckman

PenSPRA is proud to announce Amy Buckman, director of school and community relations for the Lower Merion School District, as the 2026 School Communicator of the Year. With more than three decades of communications experience — and a career shaped by the instincts of an award‑winning journalist — Amy exemplifies the clarity, compassion, and strategic leadership that define excellence in school public relations.

Amy’s impact on Lower Merion is both deep and far‑reaching. Over the past seven-plus years, she has helped the district navigate seven superintendent transitions, offering continuity, steadiness, and credibility during times of organizational change. Her leadership has been equally vital during moments of crisis. Whether responding to intense media attention, turbulent community conversations, or heartbreaking loss, Amy is known for bringing calm, accuracy, and empathy to every situation.

Throughout her tenure, Amy has played a central role in advancing major district initiatives, many of which required thoughtful community engagement and precise, accessible communication.  Her fingerprints can be found on projects including the launch of universal full‑day kindergarten, opening of a new middle school, changes to school start times, strategic planning and community outreach efforts, and the rollout of Lower Merion’s BusPatrol safety enforcement program, which garnered national attention.

Whether preparing district leadership for high‑stakes media inquiries or shaping public‑facing campaigns that reach thousands of families, Amy approaches every effort with professionalism, empathy, and a uniquely collaborative spirit.

One of Amy’s most defining contributions is her commitment to ensuring that every family in her district, regardless of language, background, or circumstance, can access the information they need. Her work to expand language access, recruit bilingual volunteers, integrate text messaging systems, and uphold accessibility standards reflects a deep belief that communication should remove barriers, not create them.

Beyond the tactical work, Amy is widely recognized for her willingness to mentor colleagues, answer questions with candor, and step in wherever help is needed. She is the voice behind countless letters, newsletters, web updates, and social media posts — always with the same precision and care that communities have come to trust.

Amy is not only a leader in her district, but she is also a product of it. A lifelong Lower Merion resident, graduate, and parent, Amy brings personal understanding and heartfelt investment to every decision. Her leadership also extends to PenSPRA, where she serves as a dedicated member of the PenSPRA Board. In this role, Amy contributes her expertise to strengthening professional development, supporting colleagues statewide, and advancing the mission of school communications across Pennsylvania.

As the 2026 PenSPRA School Communicator of the Year, Amy will represent Pennsylvania at the NSPRA Seminar this July, where she will be considered for the 2026 NSPRA Communicator of the Year Award.

PenSPRA extends its warmest congratulations to Amy Buckman — a visionary communicator, a trusted leader, and a powerful example of the impact exceptional school communication can have on students, staff, families, and entire communities.