Tell us about your job - what does a typical day look like? 

A typical day in my role is hands-on and fast-paced. While my day is filled with meetings, both internal and external, there is a blend of strategy and immediate action. I'm constantly managing projects, assigning tasks to our talented team, and ensuring everything is on track and they have the resources they require to complete the task.

My time is also spent problem-solving for solutions in addition to creating and giving presentations, making sure our key messages land effectively. There's also the essential work of responding to a steady stream of emails and reviewing all outgoing communications to maintain accuracy and consistency.

Our team’s ability to handle anything, from routine requests for communications support to unexpected crises, hinges on proactive preparation. We invest time at the start of the school year in building strategic and project plans. This foresight allows our team to pivot quickly on any given day. Our team operates with high-level communication – while we have weekly 1:1s and monthly team meetings, our daily communication on projects is continuous and collaborative. This constant exchange is key to our success.

What do you like most about what you do?

I love the dynamic mix of strategic problem-solving and creative execution in my day-to-day routine. I enjoy collaborating with my team, transforming complex information into clear, targeted messages that genuinely connect with our target audiences. This involves everything from conceptualizing designs to producing captivating video content that tells the story.

A significant highlight is the privilege of working directly with our Chief of Staff and Superintendent. This collaboration allows me to contribute to high-level problem-solving, navigate critical crisis communications, and ensure our essential key messages about our programs and the students we serve are told with precision and impact. It's an honor to play this pivotal role that shapes our narrative and to see the direct results of our efforts.

 What do you find most challenging about what you do?

A challenge for me is consistently championing SCOE's brand identity. While I enjoy collaborating with and supporting staff creativity, ensuring every communication piece adheres to SCOE's brand guidelines is a constant, critical effort. Our brand is fundamental to building trust and representing SCOE's standard of excellence.

Additionally, the surge in daily email volume over the past few years has become a major obstacle. It's tough, if not impossible, to thoroughly process every message that comes through.

Tell us about a project you are working on or have completed that you are particularly proud of. How did it come about? What impact has it had so far?

We just completed a two-year school attendance awareness campaign called Every Day Counts – Attendance Matters. NSPRA awarded the marketing campaign a Gold Medallion. I am proud of our Communications Department team's accomplishment. The campaign's outreach to students, parents, and the community helped increase countywide attendance by 1.55% and decrease absenteeism by 5%! This translates to an additional $17 million in revenue for the school districts. Key to the campaign's success was the extensive outreach strategy, which generated more than 33 million impressions in a county of 500,000.  The involvement of all 25 school districts played a definitive role as we shared a consistent message about the importance of regular school attendance, reinforcing the value of education. Here is a  2-minute 30-second video link we did for NSPRA that is a short overview https://vimeo.com/1094421563/75af30509a?ts=0&share=copy 

 How long have you been in the profession and what was your path to school PR?

My 28-year journey with the SCOE family has been incredibly fulfilling, with 25 of those years dedicated to an unexpected, yet gratifying, career in school PR. I never initially set out to be a communications professional. However, one of the significant advantages of working at a County Office of Education is the variety of job opportunities available to anyone with a degree or the skills and experience. When the initial Communication Technician role was posted, I jumped at the chance to work with the Public Information Officer, Jane Johnston. She was a dynamo! Jane was a founding member of CalSPRA and a respected figure in school communications. With her mentorship, combined with the insights gained from CalSPRA, I grew into this unplanned, yet fulfilling career.

What advice do you have for new PR professionals?

My advice to anyone beginning their career in school PR is to find a mentor in the profession. A good mentor can offer guidance and share experiences that may help you navigate the unique challenges of school PR. Don’t be afraid to admit what you do not know – ask questions! Attend as many CalSPRA conferences and sessions as possible. These events help you stay current on trends in education and communication. Also, get to know your district or COE. Interviewing staff and students can help speed up the relationship-building and lead to better storytelling. Lastly, track the effectiveness of your communication efforts. Data and measurement are essential.

What are you doing to promote IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access)?

SCOE serves students in alternative education programs. We teach the ones that are hardest to reach because of any special education needs, inability to succeed in their school setting, dropout of school, or those incarcerated.  The success we have in our programs is because leadership consistently improves programs by removing barriers and ensuring each child or student has options and access to a meaningful education.  We depend on feedback from parents and students, using this information to enhance our programs.

What else would you like to share?

It's hard to believe that my journey with the SCOE and CalSPRA family is drawing to a close on December 29, 2025. Looking back, it feels like it all happened in the blink of an eye. This wasn't merely a job to me; it was a fulfilling career that I adored, and one I eagerly anticipated walking into every morning. What I'll miss most, without a doubt, are the incredible people I've had the privilege of knowing from both organizations.

The Stanislaus County Office of Education staff provides communications services, data and statistics, research analysis, internal audit services, and planning and support services to the 25 school districts and other educational agencies with resources.