The Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) named Dr. Bobby Ott, Superintendent of Temple ISD, as the recipient of the 2025 Key Communicator Award, the organization’s highest honor for leaders who have made a significant impact in promoting public education through effective communication.

Dr. Ott is known across Texas for his relentless advocacy for public schools and his unwavering belief in the power of education to strengthen communities. At both the local and state levels, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the story of Texas public education is told with clarity, truth, and heart.

In Temple ISD, Dr. Ott has prioritized open, two-way communication with families, staff, and community members. Over the past year, he has hosted more than 50 community presentations, sent monthly updates to more than 10,000 stakeholders, and built strong partnerships with local leaders and organizations. His commitment to transparency ensures that district decisions reflect the voices of those they impact most, while also celebrating student and staff achievements in meaningful ways.

On the state stage, Dr. Ott has become a trusted communicator and advocate. He regularly testifies before the Legislature, serves on legislative working groups, and produces accessible resources—like his widely viewed video explaining revisions to House Bill 2—that help Texans understand how policy decisions affect their schools. His advocacy has directly influenced education funding and policy, earning him recognition as a Champion of Hope by the Holdsworth Center and deep respect from lawmakers, educators, and parents across the state.

“Dr. Ott exemplifies the very essence of this honor through his steadfast dedication to transparent, impactful communication and his tireless advocacy for public education in Texas,” said Dr. Walter Jackson, Superintendent of La Porte ISD and the 2024 Key Communicator.

Education leaders across the state echo those sentiments. “He is a courageous champion for public education, and he routinely uses his professional platform to advocate for the students in Texas public schools,” said Dr. Kevin Brown, Executive Director of the Texas Association of School Administrators. “His voice is powerful, rational, and professional—one that benefits all of us in education.”

Libby Cohen, Executive Director of Raise Your Hand Texas, added: “Dr. Ott has been a bold and willing communicator in the advocacy arena at a time when many of his colleagues have been hesitant to engage. He is deeply respected in the Capitol and in his community because he communicates with clarity, respect, and conviction.”

From the Capitol to the classroom, Dr. Ott has proven himself a courageous champion for students, educators, and communities. He is widely regarded as a trusted voice for Texas schools, one who communicates with clarity, conviction, and a deep belief in the promise of public education.

Sheree Bogany, affectionately known as Principal Auntie, is an award-winning educational leader and purpose-driven communicator whose career is rooted in service, influence, and impact. A proud product of public education and a first-generation college graduate, Sheree has dedicated her professional life to building trust, leading through complexity, and communicating with clarity in moments that matter most.

After beginning her career in the business sector, Sheree shifted into education, where she has served as a classroom teacher, campus administrator, and high school principal, becoming the first African American principal in multiple school communities. She has led campuses across diverse school communities, guiding teams through growth, public scrutiny, and transformation while centering people over perception. Her leadership is marked by authenticity, cultural competence, and a deep understanding of how communication shapes culture, credibility, and outcomes.

Her excellence has been recognized at the state and regional level. Sheree is the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Secondary Principal of the Year, one of the highest honors for Texas educators. She was also named Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region 2 Principal of the Year, TASSP Region IV Assistant Principal of the Year, and a recipient of the Patrice Yvonne Johnson Distinguished Alumnus Award from Leadership Houston. Additional honors include the Dedre’ P. Jefferson Humanitarian Award from Sam Houston State University and recognition by the National Women of Achievement for outstanding leadership and service.

Currently, Sheree serves in Corporate and Community Partnerships at Abilene Christian University, where she works across Texas and several states across the U.S. to strengthen connections between K–12 education, higher education, and communities. Her work has reshaped outreach and engagement by aligning messaging with mission and purpose.

As a keynote speaker, Sheree brings honesty, humor, and real-world perspective to audiences responsible for shaping narratives and stewarding public trust. She encourages communications professionals to lead with purpose, credibility, and strategic patience, recognizing the power of thoughtful and intentional messaging. Her message challenges leaders to release the pressure of when and focus instead on the daily work of leading with purpose.

Keynote: WIN, Not WHEN

Communications professionals face constant pressure to respond quickly and get the timing just right. WIN, Not WHEN reframes winning around purpose, strategic patience, and consistent leadership.

Drawing from her leadership journey, Sheree “Principal Auntie” Bogany encourages TSPRA members to focus less on when results appear and more on how trust, credibility, and influence are built over time. This session reminds leaders that the win is often found in the seat they’re in, through daily preparation, alignment, and clarity, before outcomes fully unfold.

Attendees will leave renewed in their role, confident in their influence, and reminded that winning is not about timing the moment, but leading with purpose.