Public Relations - Communications Specialist

Communications professional with 20 years of experience in public education, including division-level public relations, strategic communications, social media management, multimedia storytelling, and internal communications. Skilled in crafting clear, engaging messaging for diverse audiences across digital, print, video, and social platforms. Experienced in event coverage, community engagement, crisis communication support, and collaborative leadership within fast-paced educational environments.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Fredericksburg City Public Schools

Public Relations Specialist | July 2021 – Present

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• Manage and publish content across 18 school-based and division social media accounts on multiple platforms.

• Create multimedia content, including graphics, photography, video, written communications, and promotional campaigns for employees, families, students, and the community.

• Support division-wide communications through email, social media, voice messaging, and digital storytelling initiatives.

• Coordinate communication planning and event support for the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent.

• Oversee and mentor building-level School News Reporters to ensure consistent branding and messaging across schools.

• Capture and edit photography and videography for division events, celebrations, programs, and community initiatives.

• Assist with crisis and emergency communications to provide timely and accurate information to families and staff.

• Collaborate with schools and departments to highlight student achievement, staff recognition, and division initiatives.

Admin. Assistant to the Assistant Principals | January 2015 - 2021

• Inserted student discipline into student database and notified parents.

• Pulled monthly reports for Administration.

• Scheduled meetings for Administration. 

• Uploaded state-required documentation to SharePoint. 

• Managed Summer School under the Summer School Administrator. 

• Sent daily emails to faculty and staff with the Morning Announcements. 

Main Office/Transportation Secretary | October 2010 – 2015

• Greeted guests in a lively, professional manner.

• Ensured all students arrived home safely.

• Implemented a Transportation Change form. 

Computer Instructional Paraprofessional | September 2005 - 2010  

• Managed grades 3-5 in the computer lab during exploratory rotation.

• Provided technical and classroom support to students and teachers.

• Managed a literacy computer-based program for the entire student body. 

• Generated and analyzed reports on student progress.

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Skills

Communications & Content Creation

• Strategic Communications

• Public Relations

• Social Media Management

• Content Creation

• Internal Communications

• Community Engagement

• Multimedia Storytelling

• Photography & Videography

• Event Promotion & Coverage

• Crisis Communication Support
   

Platforms & Software

• Canva

• Hootsuite

• Adobe Photoshop

• WeVideo

• Finalsite

• Smore Newsletter

• Microsoft Office 365

• SharePoint

• Google Workspace

• ParentSquare

• Thrillshare
   

Design & Digital Media

• Graphic Design

• Social Media Graphics

• Video Editing

• Digital Campaign Planning

• Branding & Messaging
   

Professional Skills

• Time Management

• Organization

• Team Collaboration

• Project Coordination

• Public Engagement

• Attention to Detail

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Education

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2023- Present​

Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Science

Strategic Communications

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2002-2005

Germanna Community College

Associates of Applied Science

Information Technology

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Leadership & Presentations

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• Served as Mistress of Ceremony for Fredericksburg City Public Schools Convocation events since 2022, engaging and welcoming more than 700 employees annually.

• Co-presented at the July 2024 Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Conference on Education on FCPS Superintendent Community Roundtables and community engagement initiatives supporting student achievement.

• Co-presented at the 2026 Spotsylvania County Public Schools EDGE Conference on trusted communication strategies and message management during times of uncertainty.

• Participated in a large-scale emergency preparedness exercise alongside FCPS, local emergency responders, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to strengthen crisis response coordination and emergency communication procedures. The FCPS Communications Department received one of the highest evaluation ratings during the March 2025 multi-agency exercise.

• Led planning and coordination for the division’s 2023 Convocation, serving more than 700 employees, overseeing committee collaboration, program presentation, employee engagement activities, and event logistics.

• Participated in a local podcast conversing about the recent changes to our school division.

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References furnished upon request