The Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) has 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.
Dr. Ott will be formally recognized at txEDCON in Houston, September 13, 2025, and again at the TSPRA Annual Conference, February 18, 2026, in Galveston.