GREATER FORT WORTH CHAPTER OF PRSA NAMES FORT WORTH ISD’S DR. KENT SCRIBNER COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (November 2, 2018) — The Greater Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA GFW) has named Dr. Kent Paredes Scribner as its 2018 Communicator of the Year. GFW PRSA’s Communicator of the Year is annually awarded to one community member who has demonstrated leadership and communications ability while involved with an issue or event of significance to the greater Fort Worth region.

Dr. Scribner, Fort Worth Independent School District superintendent, will receive the 2018 Communicator of the Year Award at the seventh annual Worthy Awards gala on Thursday, November 15, at the Fort Worth Club. Established by GFW PRSA in 2012, the Worthy Awards showcase exemplary programs and tactics created by public relations professionals in the greater Fort Worth region.

A committee comprised of GFW PRSA board members selected Dr. Scribner as Communicator of the Year because he has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of collaborative leadership and the ability to communicate the needs and accomplishments of the school district that are imperative for a prosperous greater Fort Worth area.

Photo by Joyce Marshall

“We are pleased to honor Dr. Kent Scribner as our 2018 Communicator of the Year,” said Lisa Albert, president of GFW PRSA. “Kent is a shining example of how to communicate with the community in a way that draws people together while inspiring and informing at the same time. Outstanding community leaders like Kent are what make this city such a tremendous place to live, work and serve.”

Dr. Scribner took the helm of Fort Worth ISD in 2015, where he serves more than 86,000 students and more than 11,000 employees. Scribner has narrowed the District focus to three goals: early literacy, middle years’ math, and college and career preparedness. This has resulted in significant gains in third-grade reading and algebra, and a renewed commitment to college and career-ready students. In addition, Fort Worth ISD has cut in half the number of “improvement required schools,” from 24 to 11. The District was cited by the Texas Education Agency as one of the two top urban districts in the state in year-to-year positive growth.

“I share this award with our entire Fort Worth ISD team. I’ve never worked with a more talented and impactful group of communication professionals,” said Dr. Scribner.

Dr. Scribner began his career in education as a high school Spanish teacher and guidance counselor in Philadelphia. He then became a principal and a central office administrator prior to serving for 16 years as superintendent, in both Phoenix, Arizona and now, Fort Worth.

Dr. Scribner earned his Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from Carleton College in Minnesota and his Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University in Pennsylvania. He earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Arizona State University.

Previous Communicator of the Year award winners include:
• 2012 – Joel Burns, Fort Worth City Councilman
• 2013 – Betsy Price, Mayor of the City of Fort Worth
• 2014 – Walter Dansby, Superintendent of FWISD
• 2015 – Patsy Thomas, President of Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County
• 2016 – Robert Earley, President & CEO of JPS Health Network
• 2017 – Paul Paine, President of Near Southside Inc.

In addition to honoring Dr. Kent Scribner as Communicator of the Year, GFW PRSA will present more than 60 awards to area public relations and communications professionals for exceptional work in the field of public relations and strategic communications during the Worthy Awards gala. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and awards presentation at 7:30 p.m., with improv comedy troupe Four Day Weekend serving as masters of ceremonies. Individual tickets are $85 for members, $100 for non-members, and $50 for students. Sponsorships and advertising opportunities are available starting at $100 to $2,500, and details are online at www.WorthyAwards.com.

ABOUT THE GREATER FORT WORTH CHAPTER OF PRSA (GFW PRSA)
The Greater Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (GFW PRSA) is an organization dedicated to enhancing the profession of public relations by promoting the professionalism of its members. Established in 1986 and serving more than 200 public relations practitioners in Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the chapter is comprised of public relations and communications talent in the corporate, nonprofit and agency sectors. Its members are agency leaders, corporate communication practitioners, crisis communication experts, investor relations executives, media relations and social media gurus, freelancers, “wordsmith” pros and more. For more information, visit GFW PRSA:
• Online: www.FortWorthPRSA.org
• On Facebook: www.facebook.com/fortworthprsa
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/fortworthPRSA

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