TdS Students Get Hands On with Their Future

A student gets a chance to feel what it's
like to be decked out in SWAT gear

"The speakers that presented inspired me because I was able to see people in these powerful positions that talked about how they accomplished their goals. This allowed me to see a future where I can and will be successful in my career if I focus on making good life choices."-Brenna Boldt

SD Sheriff helicopter made quite an
impression when it landed at TdS
TDS Career Day Leaders (shout out to Ms. Araujo, Mr. Brumbaugh and Ms. Damon) facilitated an amazing day of engaging and empowering professionals. Students were assigned to their advisory and rotated to various speakers throughout the day.  They interviewed the various speakers by asking tough questions about demands (physical and educational) and potential earnings associated with each career. This process helped them to grasp 21st century career demands. 

"What I saw at Career Day was so inspiring, I went home and talked to my family about changing career paths to SWAT."-Cruz Dexheimer

The experience allowed for them to be exposed to careers that

Students heard Slightly Stoopid's
Miles Doughty talk about perseverance

pay well, focus on STEM, and safety/public service. For example, an everyday hero such as firefighters, nurses, police officers, SWAT, and CAL Fire is now a dream job that TDS students could one day make a reality. High demand jobs in computer science (can you say flying drones from the CUE's STEAMPUNK LAB) and our Qualcomm speaker gave our students motivation and exposure to pursue careers in STEM. 

"TDS Career Day changed the idea of a normal job for me, and made me want to work harder to accomplish my goals."-Lily Griffing

Thank you to the following for speaking at our event:

Lakeside Fire

LUSD Digital Learning Coach Kay Little
shows students how to program Ozobots

SD Sheriff SWAT

CALFire Helitack Crew

Alpine Fire

Park Rangers

Miles Doughty, Slightly Stoopid

Dr. Asbury, Orthodontist

Miguel Orduno, Qualcomm

Mike Regalado, Sushi Chef

Officer Downing, California Highway Patrol

Tara Downing, Respiratory Therapist

Victor Contreras, actor

LUSD Digital Learning Coaches

Mike Mendoza, IT Systems Analyst

Chappie HUnter, Detective

Miguel Orduno, Qualcomm, impresses
students with future technology being
invented today

Tom Romenesko, MLB Scout

Joe Bauer, Financial Planner

Mike Washer, High Security Programmer

Barbara Thompson, El Cajon PD Detective

Jackie Young, ER Nurse

Eric Knedten, Jail RN/Teacher/US Navy

Katie Turner, Event Planner

And thank you to the following:

CUE STEAMPUNK Lab for loaning us drones

Mary's Donuts for providing donuts for our speakers

Lakeside Starbucks for providing coffee for our speakers

Dr. Laura Spencer - Top Tech Exec, San Diego

Congratulations to LUSD's Educational Technology Director, Dr. Laura Spencer, who was recently named one of San Diego's Top Tech Execs for 2017. More than 1,200 guests celebrated San Diego's tech community in the 10th annual Top Tech Exec Awards held on Thursday, May 11. The celebration is by far the largest technology recognition event in San Diego. With a substantial increase in attendance this year, the popular event has outgrown its original Del Mar Fairgrounds location and was hosted on the field at Petco Park. The regions technology elites were entertained with parachute jumpers, inventive cuisine, along with a grand finale fireworks presentation. The field of nominations also set a record this year. Out of over 600 nomination submissions, 526 made it to the qualification round. Ultimately 11 individuals were named as honorees and Dr. Spencer received one of two special recognitions, the Cox Business Exemplary Award.


Dr. Spencer is committed to ensuring that technology is used as a tool to engage and educated students in authentic experiences. She has been the director of educational technology for the Lakeside Union School District for three years. She oversees the implementation of technology-integrated instructional programs, professional development standards and technical infrastructure. Her work has resulted in two Classroom of the Future Foundation school awards, an Innovative Educator Award from Classroom of the Future Foundation, and an Administrator of the Year award from the American Heart Association.

During her tenure as a classroom teacher, Laura participated in Project LemonLink, a program focused on high-speed internet connectivity, equity, and 1:1 access to this-client tablets so middle school students could have equitable access to quality digital instructional resources. During this time she was awarded a Microsoft Innovative Educator award, as well as chosen as a "Best of NECC" presenter for the National Educational Computing
Conference.

Dr. Spencer is also active as a technology advocate in the community. She serves as the president of the San Diego affiliate of CUE. In this role, she has worked to provide grants and awards for deserving educators throughout the county. She presents at both local and national conferences, including SDCUE Tech Fest, CUE Annual Conference, CUE Rock Star, ASCD, and ISTE. Dr. Spencer received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Alliant International University. She also holds two masterS degrees from National University, one in Educational Administration and one in teaching with a focus on reading.



A video team came to LUSD to record Dr. Spencer as she interacted with students at Riverview in an Ozobot lesson in Celine Fang's classroom. She was also filmed at the Network Operating Center (NOC) as she worked with her IT team. The highlight video was played at Petco Park as Laura was honored with the Cox Exemplary Award.

LUSD is very proud of our own Dr. Laura Spencer! Thank you Laura, for all you do for the students, staff, and community of Lakeside and beyond!

Walk to School Day

On Monday, students and parents joined teachers and staff to walk to school. Each school chose locations to meet and then walked together to campus. The purpose of the walk was to recognize how important our public schools are to our community.

The opportunity to start the day not only with a little exercise but with happy students and their families definitely put a smile on the faces of Lakeside teachers and administrators.

Thanks to all who participated!