NYSPRA Special Recognition Awards

Each year, NYSPRA recognizes outstanding individuals who exemplify excellence in school communications and make meaningful contributions to the profession and public education.

Our Special Recognition Awards celebrate leadership, innovation, mentorship, and service across a variety of roles. Whether honoring an accomplished communications professional, an emerging leader, or a champion of school communications, these awards recognize the people making a lasting impact in New York's schools and communities.

Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards:

Communicator of the Year

Recognizes an outstanding school communications professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic communication, and service to their school community and the profession.

Phoenix Award

Recognizes extraordinary communications work that falls outside the traditional NYSPRA Communications Contest categories, including exceptional responses to crises, unique challenges, or innovative initiatives.

Emerging Communicator Award

Honors a school communications professional with fewer than five years of experience who has demonstrated exceptional promise, creativity, and leadership early in their career.

School Communications Champion Award

Recognizes an administrator, board member, educator, or other individual who has demonstrated outstanding support for school communications and the professionals who lead those efforts.

Mentor Award

Celebrates a NYSPRA member who has made a lasting impact by mentoring, encouraging, and supporting fellow school communicators throughout their careers.