Laura K Spencer, Ed.D.

Year: 2018

  • Commit to read more books

    booksAs you may have read, my one word for 2018 is COMMIT. One of my commitments is to read more. So it was only fitting that Daniel Pink would include an article about how to read more in his most recent Pink newsletter. (I sware he included it just for me!)

    Five steps to read more books:

    1. Download books to your smartphone
      I downloaded the Libby app to my phone, which allows me to check out eBooks from my local library. Figure that it will be a nice way to add an extra book to my bedside stack and give me something to do during all those waiting times, such as at the doctor, the Costco gas line, or waiting for a meeting to start. I also downloaded Read This Next, which suggests books to read based on authors you like. I haven’t played with it yet, but it looks promising. And of course, I have Audible for my commute to/from work.
    2. Set a daily reading goal
      It’s hard for me to set a goal beyond just reading every day. I don’t like page or chapter counts, as I feel it stifles my brain. So for now, let’s just say the goal is to read every day.
    3. Read before bed every night
      ZZZZZ…. no, seriously, this is my reading time. Now I just need to do a better job of putting down the phone earlier so I can get more reading time in before the eyelids close on me.
    4. Keep a stack of tempting books on hand
      I don’t know any educators for which this is an issue. Part of my purpose for the reading goal this year was to get that stack a bit lower. I feel like I add five for every one I read! I do, however, want to add more fiction to the pile so that I have a plethora of choices.
    5. Read aloud
      I’m perplexed. I don’t know how this will increase my book reads. First of all, no one wants to hear me. And if I am reading at bedtime, I may have a pretty grumpy boyfriend in the morning! How about an under my breath muttering?Any other tips you’d add to the list?

    via How to read more books — Quartz

  • The Sky is Blue. It’s Always Blue.

    12767714195_c359fd6c1e_bToday I was binging through season 5 of Orange is the New Black in an attempt to complete the series (to date) before returning to work. In one of the episodes, Suzanne shares with her cellmates that the sky is always blue. She said, “It’s like the sky is blue, right? But when there are clouds, you think it’s gray. But, really, it’s still blue. It hasn’t changed. It’s just covered with gray clouds passing by. And your clouds will pass by.”

    Wow!

    How many times have we been so consumed by the grayness of the clouds that we fail to remember the sky is still blue? The clouds can take many forms. At work, they may be state mandates, or meeting overload, or high stakes testing. At home, it manifests itself as a squealing dryer, a leaking toilet, or a (near) empty checking account. And I have to admit, sometimes my clouds manifest themselves in those dearest to my heart, when frustrations run high over short tempers or hurt feelings.

    “It’s like the sky is blue, right?”

    Sure state mandates can be tedious, and meetings get boring, and we all know that high stakes testing isn’t the best accountability measure, but I get to spend my days with passionate, dedicated teachers and administrators who are in an unrelenting pursuit of the amazing school experience for EVERY child. I get to help design experiences that ignite student genius, and empower them to pursue their own passions. How amazingly blue of a sky is that?!? And I get paid for it, too!

    “But when there are clouds, you think it’s gray. But, really, it’s still blue. It hasn’t changed.”

    I ordered a rear bearing kit from Amazon for my dryer, and with the power of YouTube, should have it back in action before the weekend is over. A toilet seal is only a few bucks at Home Depot, and at least I have a steady paycheck to replenish that checking account. These are just things, after all. Things can be fixed, replaced, or lived without.

    “It’s just covered with gray clouds passing by. And your clouds will pass by.”

    My family is my center. My daughters fill my heart with so much joy. My boyfriend makes me smile every time I see him. We all have our moments when we are not at our greatest, but through it all, we continue to love and support each other.

    Epicurus, ancient stoic philosopher, said, “Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance.”

    Committing to enjoying the blue sky!

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  • #MyOneWord

    D062EC87-F287-48FA-913C-0B94C56AB190.jpegCommit.

    Commit to the challenge.

    The adventure.

    The healthy lifestyle.

    The quest for knowledge.

    Reading to learn.

    Reading to escape.

    Learning new things…

    Improving educational opportunities for our students.

    Spending quality family time with my girls…

    Quiet times with my boyfriend.

    Alone time for reflection.

    Commit.

    This is my #oneword2018. It encompasses all aspects of my life. My personal life, My professional life. My romantic life. And most importantly, my family life.

    I look forward to sharing this year with everyone through my blog and tweets.

    Happy 2018!

    (Photo from Superstition desert during a recent off road adventure weekend)