Jessica Stilger
I am a school communications professional on a mission to enhance public trust in public education through storytelling. I am a leader, relationship builder, strategic communicator, writer, designer, thinker and learner, eager for new challenges. I have 12 years experience in public school communications.
Experience
2016-PRESENT
BERKLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Executive Director
I run the day to day operations, work closely with the Board of Trustees and Superintendent, develop long-range plans and visions, oversee the budget and execute all fundraising endeavors.
2012-PRESENT
BERKLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Communications Supervisor
Award-winning school communicator and lead storyteller.
I am a writer, webmaster, listener, data-lover, graphic designer, photographer, spokesperson, media liaison, crisis team member, marketer, head of social and video production and creator for Berkley Schools.
2006-2012
FERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Communications Specialist
Position entailed serving as the district's graphic designer, web designer, public relations liaison, assistant writer, communications team member, and a connection to local media personnel.
2004-2006
TRI-STATE HOSPITAL SUPPLY COMPANY
Graphic Designer
Created company brochures, catalogues, sales flyers, direct email and mail as well as photographed products and developed a label catalog.
PORTFOLIO
MY LATEST WORK
Click on each image for a PDF or link directly to online work.
 Award-Winning #BerkleyDifference marketing brochure |  2017-18 Award Winning Berkley School District Calendar |  Berkley Schools Award-Winning Social Media Facebook page. |
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 Jessica Stilger is lead writer on this letter to school families on the death of a student. |  Online dashboard for Berkley School District |  Media coverage of student-led event. All local media attended: TV, print, radio |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Berkley Schools leads all Oakland County school districts in Facebook followers with 7,688 (as of June 29, 2018)
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2014: Created the first digital dashboard for any Oakland County school district ahead of the State launching their dashboard modules.
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2016: Berkley Schools named among “Top 20 Districts to Follow on Social Media” by SocialSchool4Edu.
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2016: Michigan Association School Administrators (MASA) used award-winning campaign “Celebrating 175 Years” as state-wide example of excellent work.
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2017: Michigan Association of School Boards uses Berkley Schools website as a “great example of how to communicate with the community.”
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2017: State leader in school website accessibility. Presented a professional learning session, “How to train your staff on website accessibility,” at the Michigan Schools Public Relations Association (MSPRA) annual conference.
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2017: Successfully launched a staffHUB intranet to streamline communications to staff.
AWARDS
NSPRA (National Schools Public Relations Association)
2018
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Golden Achievement Award - Kindergarten Enrollment Outreach
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Award of Merit - 2017-18 #BerkleyDifference District Calendar
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Honorable Mention - #BerkleyDifference Marketing Publication
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Honorable Mention - Social Media
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Honorable Mention - Video: Berkley High School Honors Veterans
2017
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Honorable Mention - Social Media
2014
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Award of Merit - Berkley Schools Mini-Magazine
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Honorable Mention - eNewsletter
MSPRA (Michigan Schools Public Relations Association)
2016
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Distinguished Award - Infographic Brochure
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Distinguished Award - ‘Celebrating 175 Years’ Campaign
The Numbers
290,100
Average monthly impressions across all social platforms for Berkley Schools.
$10,000
Saved $10,000 from budget by reorganizing spending while improving brand reach.
498,804
Minutes watched on districts YouTube channel.
68%
Utilized communications plan to pass 2015 Bond initiative 68/32%.
EDUCATION
FORMAL EDUCATION
University of Michigan, School of Art & Design May 2004
Bachelor of Fine Arts (magna cum laude), Graphic Design concentration
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
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2013 & 2015: Reputation Management Seminar with Anthony Huey
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2014, 2016, 2017, 2018: Michigan Schools Public Relations Association Annual Conference
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2015, 2016, 2017, attending 2018: Digital Summit Detroit Conference
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2015: Michigan Schools Public Relations Association Workshop: Social Media, In-Depth
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2016: Michigan Schools Public Relations Association Workshop: ADA Compliance
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2017: Michigan Schools Public Relations Association Workshop: Creating ADA Compliant Documents
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2017: Leadership, Management & Coaching training from Phoenix Performance Partners
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2018: National Government Social Media Conference
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2018: Detroit PRSA: The PIO and the Right to Know, Crisis Training