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

No two days in school PR are ever the same, and that's especially true at the SJCOE. Because we operate such a diverse range of programs, my work can look very different from one day to the next. I might be advising leadership, responding to media, working on a website redesign, or advancing our digital accessibility efforts. Later that week, I could be visiting our outdoor education center in the Tahoe National Forest, meeting with our Conservation Corps crews working on wildfire prevention, or talking with cadets from across Northern California at our quasi-military school.

What ties it all together is storytelling. My job is to take the life-changing work happening across our schools, programs, and offices and help people understand its impact. No matter what I'm working on, the goal is the same: connecting our community to the opportunities education provides.

What do you like most about what you do?

I love having a front-row seat to the impact our educators, staff, and students make. One of the things I appreciate most about working at the SJCOE is seeing that impact not only in K-12 classrooms, but also through programs that serve adults of all ages.

One story I'll never forget is a 56-year-old mother who decided it was time to earn her high school diploma through our Come Back Kids program. Her determination inspired her husband and three adult children to pursue their diplomas as well, and she ultimately crossed the stage alongside her daughter. An entire family gained new opportunities because of one person's decision to keep going – and our program was there to help her do just that.

Stories like that remind me why public education is so powerful. Education changes lives, and I feel fortunate to help tell those stories.

What do you find most challenging about what you do?

One of the biggest challenges is balancing long-term strategic priorities with the demands of the day. There are always important initiatives to move forward, breaking issues to address, and more great stories than we could ever tell. Deciding where to focus time and resources for the greatest impact can be difficult.

Another challenge is helping others understand that effective communication doesn't happen by accident. It takes planning, collaboration, and buy-in across an organization. Sometimes the hardest part isn't creating the communication; it's helping people see the value of communicating proactively and strategically in the first place.

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?

I’m really proud of the first annual San Joaquin County State of Education event, which the SJCOE hosted in partnership with our local districts. The goal was to tell a unified story about public education across San Joaquin County – from the county office AND district perspectives. It was a major undertaking that required a LOT of coordination with districts, leadership, and staff. My team and I brought together many different voices and stories, and turned them into a cohesive story through both video and written content.

Seeing that vision come to life was incredibly rewarding. The event gave education leaders an opportunity to celebrate their work, connect around our shared vision for students, Education for All, and engage key partners in the important work happening across our county.

I'm especially proud because the project brought together so many of the things I love about this work: storytelling, collaboration, and advocacy for public education. Helping tell a unified story about the impact our schools and educators have on students was incredibly rewarding. It was a true team effort, and our planning team absolutely knocked it out of the park. Shout out to Zack, Elisa, Kailyn, Brandie, and Isabel for helping bring it to life!

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

I fell in love with PR in college, though I originally assumed I’d end up at a big agency like Ogilvy or Edelman. That changed after an internship with Dianne Barth-Feist in the Community Relations Department at Stockton Unified School District. Experiencing the direct impact of school PR on the community – from launching their social media pages and rolling out their first LCAP webpage – hooked me.

I spent six wonderful years serving the Stockton community before joining the Foundation for California Community Colleges, where I led internal communications, supported statewide initiatives, and advised fiscally sponsored partners. The experience broadened my perspective and helped me grow as a communicator, but my heart was always in K-12 education.

When the opportunity came to return home and serve the community again through the SJCOE, I jumped at it. Every stop in my career has taught me something valuable, but my approach remains the same: start with the audience, communicate with purpose, and keep students at the center of the work.

What advice do you have for new PR professionals?

Remember that the best communication isn't always the flashiest. It's the communication that helps people understand, connect, and take action.

Also, imposter syndrome is normal! Trust that you're in the room for a reason. Stay curious, keep learning, and don't be afraid to ask the tough questions. As communicators, we have a responsibility to make sure our communities' perspectives are represented in the decisions being made.

What else would you like to share?

What has always stood out to me about CalSPRA is its culture of generosity. People freely share ideas, resources, and encouragement because they genuinely want to see one another succeed. The mentorship, relationships, and professional growth I've gained through this organization have shaped me into the communicator and leader I am today.

That's why I encourage everyone to get involved, whether through CalSPRA Connect, volunteering, presenting, or simply reaching out to a colleague. Serving on the Board has been an honor and an opportunity to give back to an organization that has given so much to me.

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

This is work every LEA is engaged in currently, but I'm especially proud to be leading our organization's digital accessibility efforts. Yes, it's required. More importantly, it's the right thing to do.

I lead our Digital Accessibility Workgroup, which includes representatives from across the organization. Together, we're updating policies and procedures, curating professional learning resources, and creating tools that help educators and staff ensure everyone can access the digital content they produce.

At its core, this work is about culture change. We're currently on our "Accessibility Tour," presenting to teams across the organization for the beginning of the year. Our goal is to first help staff understand that accessibility is about people first, then give them practical steps they can start using right away. We want accessibility to become part of our culture, much like cybersecurity. It's something all of us are responsible for.

This work really matters to me. If people can't access information, they can't fully participate. Every improvement we make helps us connect more people to the resources, opportunities, and services available to them, and that's something worth championing.

About the San Joaquin County Office of Education:

The San Joaquin County Office of Education provides educational leadership, resources, and services to support schools throughout the county. With its highly regarded programs, innovative staff, and community partnerships, the SJCOE ensures that every student in San Joaquin County has the opportunity for a quality education. For more information, visit www.sjcoe.org.