Awards
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
MOSPRA recognizes the outstanding work of our members and those who support quality communications in education.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR (New Format)
Starting with the 2025 Awards, MOSPRA will follow the National School Public Relations format for selecting the Professional of the Year. This calls for a more detailed response from the nominators.
The award recognizes a school communication professional with at least five years of experience who has demonstrably contributed to the school communication profession. A national panel of current and past school communication professionals will judge the nominations.
- In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's demonstrated LEADERSHIP in successfully meeting the communication needs of their school system or educational service agency. Examples may include leading successful communication campaigns, overcoming an internal communication challenge or creating a robust strategic communication plan.
- In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's demonstrated strength in both personal and organizational COMMUNICATION. Examples may include evidence of persuasion, the power of engagement or influence in decision making.
- In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's constant improvement of KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, while providing professional development opportunities and mentoring to others. Examples may include achieving accreditation in public relations (APR), participating in NSPRA’s Mentor Match program or serving as a speaker at the chapter or national level.
- In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's active participation in their LOCAL COMMUNITY activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues. Examples may include volunteering in their local community, organizing a fund-raising event for their community or writing an article that demonstrates broad knowledge of the complexities of public education.
OTHER MOSPRA AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
- Nominations ideally will come from multiple people from diverse backgrounds (communications colleague, superintendent or other administrator, building principal, board member, parent and/or community member)
- Nomination letters will include specific attributes of the nominee and examples that illustrate the attributes. (Sample attributes are noted in each category.)
- MOSPRA will accept a maximum of five entries for the nominee.
NEW PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
The recipient shall be employed at least half-time in the field of school public relations for no more than 24 months and be a member of MOSPRA.
- In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has exhibited a professional approach to school public relations.
- In 300 words or less, discuss the nominee’s ability to develop and implement high-quality communication practices.
- In 200 words or less, discuss the nominee’s focus on professional development.
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR (Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent)
The recipient should not be in an official PR position but be employed by an institution that has a member of MOSPRA.
- In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has supported and/or advocated for MOSPRA (or MOSPRA member/s).
- In 300 words or less, discuss a specific instance where the nominee has either personally shown, or has supported, exceptional communications
- In 300 words or less, share the overall quality of the nominee as it relates to leadership.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (Non-MOSPRA Member or Emeritus)
The recipient should have made a significant contribution to school public relations efforts or the enhancement of the image of education. The recipient may be a legislator, businessperson, community member, teacher, a MOSPRA emeritus, or individual who is not a school PR professional.
- In 500 words or less, share examples of how the nominee has supported and/or enhanced public education. (Sample attributes include outward support of quality communications throughout a school district/organization; a personal commitment to -- or support of -- quality communications that heighten perceptions of public education.)
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (MOSPRA Member)
The recipient should have made a significant contribution to school public relations efforts or the enhancement of the image of education. The recipient should be a practicing communications professional and a member of MOSPRA with a minimum of ten years in the field.
In 500 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has exhibited the following:
- Shown a record of sustained excellence in communications and public relations
- Shown a record of support of the work of MOSPRA (examples include service to MOSPRA Board, MOSPRA committee service, mentoring of colleagues, etc.).
MOSPRA SPIRIT AWARD
The recipient shall be a MOSPRA member in good standing who exhibits an ongoing desire to help colleagues find their own personal success and be a positive voice for public education. (The Spirit Award was developed in honor of former MOSPRA leader, Tina Zubeck.)
- In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has mentored others in school communications
- In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has shown a willingness to work with others in MOSPRA to promote quality communications and public relations.
Nomination dateline for 2025 awards: January 17, 2025.
MOSPRA WILL BEGIN TAKING NOMINATIONS ON DECEMBER 10, 2024.
SUBMIT NOMINATIONS TO MOSPRA'S OPEN WATER PLATFORM HERE!
David Luther
MOSPRA Executive Director
3550 Amazonas Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Email: MOSPRA_DIRECTOR@iCloud.com