The MinnSPRA School Communicator of the Year Award recognizes exemplary leadership of Minnesota’s superb communications professionals who demonstrate their commitment to strengthening relationships between their district, families and the community they serve. This award honors those who value communication as a crucial role for their stakeholders. The award will be presented at the 2025 MinnSPRA Spring Conference and is open to all members in good standing who have worked in the field of school public relations for at least five years (since Jan. 1, 2020, or earlier).
Nominees will be judged by a panel of school PR professionals on the following criteria:
- Leadership: Demonstrates leadership in successfully meeting the communication needs of their school system or educational service agency.
- Communication: Exemplifies strength in both personal and organizational communication.
- Professionalism: Shows constant improvement of knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and mentoring to others.
- Community Involvement: Regularly participates in their community activities, with an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.
- Credibility: Is highly valued and recognized as an advocate for their district and beyond.
- Equity: Champions communications initiatives that support their district’s strategic priorities and DEI work.
- Strategy: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of RPIE principles and effectively uses them to help achieve district strategic priorities.
The MinnSPRA winner will also be nominated for NSPRA’s School Communicator of the Year Award and will receive a scholarship of up to $1,500 to be used for the registration fee and certain expenses associated with attending the NSPRA National Seminar in Washington, D.C., in July 2025.
Note: The submission window for MinnSPRA's 2025 awards program is closed. Please watch for more information about 2026 awards opportunities in the fall.
Meet the Newest Winner
Minnesota's 2025 School Communicator of the Year, Donnie Belcher
The Minnesota School Public Relations Association (MinnSPRA) honored Minnesota's best school communications professionals and leaders who champion the profession at its spring conference on April 9 and 10, 2025. Receiving MinnSPRA's highest honor, School Communicator of the Year, is Donnie Belcher, Executive Director of Communications and Engagement for Minnesota Public Schools. She is among the candidates now vying for the National School Public Relations Association's (NSPRA) School Communicator of the Year award this summer.
“Our organization's awards serve as a powerful recognition of the dedication and skill required to effectively bridge the gap between schools and their communities, " said Shawn Hogendorf, MinnSPRA’s president. “Our members constantly elevate the voices of educators, students, and families while inspiring continuous growth and innovation.”
The School Communicator of the Year Award recognizes impeccable leadership of Minnesota’s superb communications professionals, who demonstrate their commitment to strengthening relationships between their district, families and the community they serve. This award honors those who value communication as a crucial role for their stakeholders.
About Donnie
Donnie Belcher, Executive Director of Communications and Engagement for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), joined the district in 2021. During her time with MPS, Belcher has been an integral part of the district's leadership team, playing a crucial role in communicating with stakeholders throughout the budgetary process, labor negotiations with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT), implementation of the district’s new superintendent's 100-day plan, and more. Her ability to build relationships with MPS leaders has fostered genuine collaboration and transparency, which has helped build trust between MPS and the community. Thanks to Belcher's involvement and leadership, the district keeps the community informed about budget updates, negotiations, school board and superintendent initiatives, and more. Her role recently evolved to include leading the district’s engagement department, a testament to her involvement in the MPS community. One of her roles leading this team includes overseeing Parent Advisory Councils, ensuring that parents have a voice in the decision-making process. Her ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration between parents and the district has strengthened community ties and built trust. Belcher's background as a teacher for many years has given her a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the education system, further enhancing her credibility and effectiveness as an advocate.
Before joining Minneapolis Public Schools, Belcher was a high school English teacher at Whitney Young Magnet High School and Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a concentration in English.
Winners
2025
Donnie Belcher
Executive Director of Communications & Engagement Minneapolis Public Schools
2024
Dirk Tedmon, APR
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications Eden Prairie Schools In July 2024, Dirk was also named the recipient of the first-ever NSPRA School Communicator of the Year Award. Congratulations, Dirk!
