I hope your 2025-26 school year is off to a strong and energizing start! This summer, I made it a priority to truly reset and recharge — I even took a real vacation (and it was glorious!). I hope you also found time to rest and renew before diving into the busy fall season.

As I step into my second year serving as the CCIU’s director of communications, marketing, and engagement, and as PenSPRA’s executive director, I’ve been reflecting on the amount of change this past year has brought. Stepping into new leadership roles has been both exciting and challenging. I’ve learned that with change, not everything goes as planned and that outcomes are unpredictable and often outside of our control. What we can control is how we respond. For me, that means staying solution-focused and asking, “How can I help?” I know many of you approach your work the very same way.

After all, PenSPRA members are no strangers to the unexpected. In our districts, surprises are constant. Yet our ability to adapt, problem-solve, and keep a steady voice at the leadership table is what makes us strong. We see the big picture, we anticipate challenges, and we find the words to help our communities understand. That’s not just communications — it’s leadership.

And leadership matters now more than ever. Public education is navigating uncertain waters, from delayed state budgets to evolving legislation and executive orders. These changes can feel daunting, especially when our role is to communicate their impact clearly and responsibly. But this is also where our resilience and collective expertise shine. 

While we’re on the subject of change, let’s celebrate some positive ones for PenSPRA. Our membership continues to grow and is at an all time high with 200 chapter members! On September 1, we welcomed our new president, Jennifer Shealy from Downingtown Area School District. Jenn will be an incredible leader for our organization over the next two years, and you’ll hear directly from her in our next newsletter. I also want to thank our immediate past president, Sarah Welsh from Keystone Oaks School District, for her years of dedicated service. Sarah strengthened PenSPRA as a chapter overall and helped us build stronger connections with our peers in the western part of the state. Sarah will continue to sit on the Board and contribute as a leader alongside our incredible PenSPRA board of directors.

Another exciting milestone is PenSPRA’s new strategic plan. Last year, the Board participated in a workshop to create a new three-year plan to guide our growth and impact. The board will review and finalize the plan this fall, at which time we will roll it out to all of you. This will be an important roadmap for our organization, and we look forward to engaging you in this next chapter.

As always, remember that PenSPRA is more than a professional association — it’s a community. Lean on your colleagues, share your expertise, and know that this network is here to support you through whatever changes come your way. Take advantage of all that PenSPRA has to offer: our monthly Join the Conversation discussions, this newsletter, professional development workshops, and our annual spring symposium — hosted this year at the beautiful Hotel Hershey! Don’t forget to enter your best work in our annual communications contest for well-deserved recognition.

If you’re looking to get more involved, there are plenty of opportunities: serve as a mentor to a new member, join the symposium planning committee, or help judge scholarship applications. 

No matter what challenges or changes this school year brings, I’m confident that you’ll rise to meet them with the professionalism, creativity, and resilience that define our field. Know that PenSPRA is here to support you every step of the way!