Janice Phelan, executive director of communications for the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, was named the Missouri School Public Relations Association’s (MoSPRA) 2018 Professional of the Year at the organization’s annual spring conference, held April 4-6 in Lake Ozark.

According to nominations, Mrs. Phelan is known throughout the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District as a trusted communications professional who provides needed information to school personnel, parents and community. The primary criteria for the Professional of the Year is that they have made a valuable contribution to either an education institution or MoSPRA in promoting school public relations or have made a difference in the life of students.

MoSPRA President Paul Tandy, stated, “Janice has been a mentor and confidante to many of her peers in the western part of the state. She is one of the ‘go-to’ people for anything from help with bonds and levies to dealing with school crises.”

Dr. Dennis L. Carpenter, Lee’s Summit R-7 superintendent, said, “Janice’s ability to anticipate and foster a calming influence, even in the midst of crisis, has served our district and me extremely well.”

Mrs. Phelan has served as a MoSPRA officer, including western region director, and on the Executive Board as secretary and treasurer.

A graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Mrs. Phelan has worked in school communications for the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District for 30 years. She has announced her retirement effective June 2018. Before joining the R-7 School District, she was a reporter and editor for newspapers in Lee’s Summit as well as Carroll and Washington, Iowa.

Share