The New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA) is thrilled to announce that Natalia Baage from Southern Westchester BOCES has been named the 2024 Communicator of the Year.
The Communicator of the Year award, which is being awarded for the ninth year, is meant to recognize school communications professionals who demonstrate a commitment to strengthening relationships between public schools and the students, families and communities they serve. The award honors those who recognize that communication and public relations are a critical component of school leadership.
“We wrap our arms around our school communities every day,” said Natalia. “Education has had a rough road, but there's not much more important - at the sum of its parts - than contributing to students finding their footing in this universe. Relationships are at the heart of what we do. I have immense appreciation for everyone in our profession and across the education field. I'm grateful to be recognized with this award and to be a member of an inspiring tribe of superstars who improve their school communities every day.”
“Natalia Baage is a passionate communicator, storyteller, advocate for students and cheerleader for public education. She embodies the culture and the values - trust, respect, collaboration and the pursuit of excellence - of our organization at Southern Westchester BOCES,” said Southern Westchester BOCES Communications Director, Brian Howard. “She proves herself integral to ensuring that our communications teams’ efforts are precise, effective and deliberate. As her director for the past nine years, I rely upon Natalia as a trusted thought partner and sounding board, as well as an ambassador for our service in our component district region”
The example Natalia sets for her colleagues shows a high standard for quality work and respectful interaction. She is a leader during staff retreats, planning rich agendas of team building, goal-setting and reflective modules that are consistently rewarding for all participants. She boasts 42 NSPRA and NYSPRA awards for her work, including 14 first-place Awards of Excellence. She was also an NSPRA 35-Under-35 honoree.
Natalia has worked closely with the Valhalla Union Free School District for over a decade and has shown her unwavering commitment to the enhancement of communication and education, and to strengthening relationships within the district.
“Natalia is an exceptional advocate for education and for the Valhalla School District and has redefined what it means to be a School Public Relations Specialist. She consistently demonstrates exemplary leadership and communication skills as a trusted advisor,” said Valhalla Union Free School District Superintendent, Kevin McLeod. “Her work has made us realize that the profession is about more than taking pictures, posting on social media and updating websites. Natalia is a dependable counsel who has earned an indispensable seat at the leadership table.”
In every respect, Natalia is the embodiment of the Communicator of the Year. Her contributions have consistently benefited school communications and public education locally, regionally and statewide.
“Natalia Baage is a shining example of the profession of school public relations,” said NYSPRA President Krystyna Baumgartner, APR. “She serves her district at the highest level and produces award-winning work that pushes the narrative of the good work being done in their schools forward. Natalia also works hard to help others in the profession; she helps to lead a regional collegial circle that shares ideas and provides professional development opportunities. She is committed to not only being the best practitioner that she can be but in mentoring and helping others become better as well.”
