The North Carolina School Public Relations Association has named Tahira Stalberte, APR as its School Communicator of the Year. Stalberte is Union County Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent of Communications and Community Relations. The presentation took place during NCSPRA’s annual Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony in High Point on April 11, 2025.

The NCSPRA School Communicator of the Year Award is the organization's highest individual honor and recognizes one outstanding NCSPRA member each year for excellence in the field of school communications.

Tahira Stalberte, APR of Union County Public Schools was honored for her exceptional commitment to strategic communication and for advancing the field of school PR. She has led numerous successful school bond campaigns for Union County Public Schools (UCPS), including passing a $39.4 million bond package in the fall of 2024. She is a tireless champion for family and community engagement. She not only has hired a dedicated family engagement specialist to serve Union County Public Schools but also has led the district to put a Parent Engagement Liaison in every Title I school. The liaisons connect families with resources, provide workshops for families, and help increase participation in school activities. Talberte also directed the marketing efforts for a groundbreaking teacher pipeline program called “Next Stop: TeachUCPS.” The program is a collaboration between UCPS, Wingate University, and South Piedmont Community College. It helps to remove financial barriers for aspiring educators. The program launched in 2023 with great success. Now, Stalberte is leading the program’s expansion to focus on recruiting CTE and STEM teachers.

Tahira Stalberte has earned accreditation in the field of public relations from the Public Relations Society of America. The APR designation is the highest certification in the field of public relations. It is the equivalent of earning a CPA in accounting or a teacher earning National Board Certification. She also serves as a mentor for the National School Public Relations Association to help other school PR practitioners from around the country earn their APR certification. 

Yavira Escalera is the Communications Coordinator for UCPS and is Stalberte’s colleague. She says Tahira Stalberte is an exceptional leader and communicator. “Tahira Stalberte leads by example. She is extremely skilled at both personal and organizational communication, and she sets clear expectations. She also creates an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best. As part of the district's cabinet, she uses her position to influence decisions and advocate for initiatives that support students, staff, the community and the district.”

NCSPRA President, Valerie Newton, has high praise for Tahira Stalberte, APR. “Tahira Stalberte is a wonderful example of an outstanding school communicator,” says Newton. “She is respected across the state. She is a skilled communicator and a passionate advocate for public education. During her distinguished career, she has earned dozens of state and national awards, served on the NCSPRA Board of Directors, and has always been a leader in her community. She is an extraordinary representative of NCSPRA, and she is very deserving of our School Communicator of the Year award.”

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Stalberte also gives back to her community. She co-leads the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, which is a program aimed at empowering middle school girls to excel academically and build strong self-esteem. She also volunteers as a reading buddy to first-grade students in Union County Public Schools.  

Tahira Stalberte, APR will now be considered for the National School Communicator of the Year Award, which will be presented by the National School Public Relations Association during its national seminar in Washington, D.C. in July.

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