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

A typical day in my role is now deeply driven by our district's community-led, student-centered strategic plan, which emerged from NVUSD’s 2023-2024 visioning process. This plan has been an incredible gift, providing clear direction and purpose. My days are filled with collaboration – working closely with colleagues across the district office, at our school sites, and with our community partners. Because of this shared vision, our efforts are truly aligned, making my work not only exciting but also instilling a profound sense that every action contributes meaningfully to advancing our students' education and the success of the entire district.

What do you like most about what you do? 

I love working with and connecting directly with people. Whether I'm organizing a student panel to capture their insights on the district's future or crafting a story about the impactful learning happening in our classrooms, I feel most energized when I'm out of the office and engaging with students, teachers, and families. I'm incredibly fortunate that my role at NVUSD allows for such meaningful interaction and that our Superintendent and leadership team so strongly champion effective communication, truly empowering our small team to consistently deliver it.

What do you find most challenging about what you do? 

Given my deep affinity for our colleagues, families, and students, and my passion for celebrating their achievements, it can be emotionally taxing when challenges emerge. However, this genuine care also reinforces my commitment to ensuring transparent, factual, and empathetic communication, especially during the toughest times.

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

One project I'm immensely proud of is the establishment of our district's core values, which were collaboratively identified through our strategic visioning process with students, staff, families, and the community. This initiative gave us a powerful, shared identity that I now get to champion through our communications. The impact is profound: these values—such as our Unwavering Commitment to Excellence and Fostering Relationships Built Through Trust and Belonging—now serve as cornerstones, not only guiding our strategic direction but also ensuring every message we share is authentic.

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

My Public Relations career spans over two decades. I initially focused on public relations for quasi-governmental agencies, but becoming a parent was a pivotal moment that redirected my passion. It ignited a strong desire to directly contribute to the educational experience of children, leading me to join school PR over a decade ago. Now, every day, my work is driven by a profound student-first mindset, a focus that brings me immense joy and fulfillment.

What advice do you have for new PR professionals? 

The best advice I can offer new PR professionals is advice I received myself: cultivate genuine relationships – both within your organization and with the broader community, including the media. While professionalism is always non-negotiable, it's these authentic connections that drive meaningful work and facilitate progress. 

What else would you like to share?

I am particularly appreciative of the role CalSPRA plays. The organization's strength lies in its commitment to collaborative excellence among school communication professionals. This collective support not only helps me continually refine my skills but also plays a vital part in elevating the impact of school PR throughout California.

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

Our district is guided by core values such as Equity and Access for Our Students, Staff, and Families, and Centering Student Agency and Success, which intrinsically drives us to create inclusive and welcoming schools for everyone each day. We remain committed to this important work at both the district and school-site levels.

The Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) proudly serves over 16,000 students across 26 schools, from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade, in the communities of Napa and American Canyon. Led by our Superintendent, Dr. Rosanna Mucetti, an elected Board of Education, and over 1,600 dedicated faculty and staff, NVUSD is united by a shared vision: Our graduates are confident, compassionate, and adaptable adults who are well-prepared for life and become inspiring advocates for themselves and their community.