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

My role is unique in that I wear many Communicator hats across different parts of our educational community. I lead communications for the Lake County Office of Education and our Local Special Education Plan Area (SELPA). In addition, I contract with one of our local school districts to support their communications, and I’m always open to helping other districts as their needs arise.

Since I’m essentially a one-person communications team, my days are incredibly varied. I might be writing press releases, managing our website, creating graphics, or running our social media accounts, all in the same day. I enjoy the challenge and various perspectives of working at both the district and county levels, and I appreciate being able to support our schools, staff, and families in so many different ways.

What do you like most about what you do?

What I love most about my work is getting to be a storyteller and a cheerleader for our COE, schools and community. I truly enjoy sharing positive stories and celebrating the successes, big and small of our students, staff, and programs. It’s incredibly rewarding to help highlight the great things happening in education and to spread that positivity throughout our county. Being able to focus on what’s going well and shine a light on the dedication and achievements of others is one of my favorite parts of the job.

What do you find most challenging about what you do?

The most challenging part of my job is balancing the many different responsibilities that come with it. There’s a lot to juggle, from managing communications at the county and district levels to supporting a variety of projects all at once. Keeping track of everything can be tough, but I’ve found that having solid systems and routines in place makes a big difference. It can definitely be a challenge at times, but so far, it’s working out well!

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 especially proud of is the Think Twice Campaign, which raised awareness about the dangers of fentanyl in our community. Something I’m passionate about and strive for is creating a unified, consistent message across our entire community. So we created a comprehensive campaign with clear, effective messaging.

A key part of this initiative was partnering with VOID (Victims of Illicit Drugs) and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to deliver fentanyl awareness presentations to every middle and high school in Lake County. We launched this effort after experiencing youth overdose deaths in our community. It was vital to reach students directly with this information. In just one week, we presented to over 4,500 students, nearly half of our county’s student population. Coordinating with each school, including alternative education sites, was a massive undertaking, but thanks to the collaboration and commitment of everyone involved, we made it happen. I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in this project and its messaging, and to see the positive impact it’s already making in our schools and community.

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

I’ve been working at the Lake County Office of Education for almost six years now, but my journey in communications started a decade ago. After earning bachelor’s degrees in government and journalism from Sacramento State, I dove into the workforce and landed my first job as a reporter for the Lake County Record-Bee. Covering local government sparked my interest in public service, so I transitioned to work for the county’s public health department for three years. While public health wasn’t ultimately my passion, an opportunity arose at LCOE when an old friend encouraged me to apply. That brought me into the world of school PR, where I’ve been ever since, continuing to learn and grow with each new experience.

What advice do you have for new PR professionals?

My biggest advice for new PR professionals is: don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Our work is public-facing and visible to the whole community, so it’s natural to feel pressure to get everything perfect. But we’re all human. Typos happen, graphics sometimes miss the mark, and that’s okay! Every slip-up is an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine your process. Embrace the challenges, take risks, and remember that it’s all part of finding your voice as a communicator. Get out there, try new things, and don’t be afraid to fall down a little along the way!

What else would you like to share that I haven’t asked you about?

I’d love to give a quick shoutout to my work with CalSPRA! I’ve served on the extended CalSPRA board for the past two years as the Mentor Program Chair. If you’re new to PR, a seasoned professional, or just looking for a peer-to-peer connection, I encourage you to join the CalSPRA Connect program! Simply fill out the Google form, and we’ll do our best to match you with someone (and thank you for your patience as we coordinate).

I’ve also had the honor of coordinating Game Night at this year’s conference, which has been a fantastic opportunity to connect with other PR professionals. I hope everyone enjoys the event!

What are you doing to promote IDEA?

Championing the principles of IDEA is central to all my communications work. I strive to ensure that equity and accessibility are reflected in everything I create, whether it’s updating websites, sharing resources, crafting press releases, or collaborating with district partners. I love sharing stories and resources that make our community feel informed and supported. I also prioritize ADA compliance in everything we produce, ensuring our communications are accessible to everyone.

The Lake County Office of Education serves a small county, with about 10,000 students across six school districts. Our team is deeply committed to supporting learners from early education through adult programs. Our office works closely with schools, families, and community partners to provide support, resources, and opportunities that help all students thrive. You can learn more at lakecoe.org.