NESPRA
New England School Public Relations Association
The New England School Public Relations Association (NESPRA) is the official New England chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). NESPRA provides networking and professional development opportunities for professionals with PreK-12 communications responsibilities in the six New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and bordering Canadian provinces.
Are you Interested in Becoming a New Member?
We are continuing to grow our membership with the goal of having a wide diversity of views, experiences, and identities. Please visit our Become a Member page to learn about the benefits of membership and to sign up.
Join a Professional Learning Community
NESPRA Members: Strengthen your network and skills as you lend your talents and ideas to benefit your fellow NESPRA school communicators.
2025 Annual Conference
NESPRA 2025: Thriving
Now is the time to thrive. The New England School Public Relations Association’s 2025 Annual Conference aims to inspire school communicators as we embrace challenges and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Pre-Conference Evening Mixer:
Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 6:00-8:00 PM
White Lion Brewing Company, 1500 Main St., Springfield, Mass. (Same building as hotel)
Free appetizers thanks to our corporate partner, Apptegy
Conference Date and Time:
Friday, May 9, 2025 | 7:45 AM-4:00 PM (Breakfast 7:45-8:30)
Springfield Marriott Downtown, 2 Boland Way, Springfield, Mass.
Bill Murphy
Thriving Beyond Average: Cultivating a High Performance Mindset
Five-time Ironman competitor and World Marathon Challenge participant Bill Murphy shares his powerful personal journey in "Thriving Beyond Average: Cultivating a High-Performance Mindset," offering school communicators a unique perspective on resilience, mindset, and peak performance.
In November 2024, Bill, a Worcester Public Schools graduate, completed 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation; and in January 2025, he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with his adult children.
Sondra Whalen, APR
Profile Like the FBI 2.0: Using Psychology to Build Trust and Credibility
Trust is tribal, and today, the opinion of a friend can be worth more than a mountain of professional communications. Enhance your communications skills by learning to leverage psychological principles that build (or restore!) trust and credibility at the community, school, and personal level. Participants will gain valuable insights into fostering cognitive and emotional trust, overcoming subtle psychological barriers, and establishing authentic connections.
Sondra is the Director of Student Programs and Communications at Vernon Verona Sherrill Central School District in New York. An award-winning school communicator, Sondra has presented at conferences around the country and is a member of the New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA).
Conference Details
Click the button below for more details about the conference and the link to book your hotel room for Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the room block rate of $169 at the Springfield Marriott Downtown.
National Recognition
Our NESPRA chapter was recently recognized by our parent organization, NSPRA, as an exemplary chapter in 2023 and 2024. We were honored for our efforts in providing members with professional development and public relations skill building opportunities. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to lead a session!
Who We Are
NESPRA is a dedicated chapter of NSPRA formed to provide professional development and networking. We look to address both regional and national issues, trends, and best practices in school public relations.
NESPRA's membership proudly represents a wide range of school districts and organizations. Our membership currently includes 140 members of statewide education agencies, large urban school districts, regional school districts, career technical education centers, and local suburban and rural districts.
NESPRA is open to anyone living in the six New England states or bordering Canadian provinces who work in any capacity in school public relations. Our membership includes or may include communications directors and managers, admissions coordinators, superintendents or administrators, and support staff who take on communications in districts without dedicated communications positions.
NSPRA formally approved NESPRA's charter in January 2022. View the charter.
Thank you to NESPRA's 2025 Corporate Partners!
