Echoes of breathless laughter reverberate off of retro-adorned walls as students gather in a newfound room of comfort. Laura Spicher introduces a refreshingly vibrant tone, fuelling her students’ passion through her dedication to rebuilding the Texas High Publications program.
As her high school phase began to fade away, leaving behind photos and friendships as footprints, she began the journey to a future full of trials and triumphs.
“I had always wanted to be a teacher, until I got to college, and then I actually changed my major to business and graduated with a business degree in marketing,” Spicher said. “Years later, after my son started school, I went back and got my teaching certificate, and I will receive my masters degree in education in Dec. of 2025.”
Often used as inspiration for choices made throughout life, experiences serve as affirmations that make aspirations seem within reach.
“I chaperoned the trip to the NSPA/JEA national convention last year in Boston and got to experience everything that was the journalism world and realized how much I enjoyed being with high school kids, and how they are a different caliber of kids,” Spicher said. “A year or two ago, I thought that I would retire as a second grade teacher until the trip to Boston.”
Though ambitions fuel the path to achievement, the blockade of hesitation hinders confidence in one’s ability, damaging the self-assurance humans, by nature, turn to when faced with adversity.
“I’ve absolutely felt uncertain about my career. I think if I didn’t have any hesitation, something would be wrong. I was extremely comfortable in my previous position, and leaving my best friend, who I had taught with for eight years, and coming to [Texas High] was honestly one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make,” Spicher said. “Getting past it was possible because I had to take a leap of faith and remind myself how much I enjoyed being with all of those kids in Boston.”
It can be said that the ways of the world differ immensely when comparing the perspectives of adults and children; however, Spicher frequently reminds herself of conversations as a mom with her children and the crucial role that consideration of alternative angles plays when it comes to success.
“[Having kids of my own] makes me more empathetic to what teenagers are dealing with when they have to juggle school, work, and life because I can see it as a mom and a teacher,” Spicher said. “It gives me the opportunity to be more understanding, and I’m able to be as much of a mom to my students as I am a teacher.”
Goals act as fuel for the future, driving desire into accomplishment. Weeks worth of effort and determination allows these objectives to flourish until a sense of pride develops.
“Being able to bring the yearbook and newspaper back to the award-winning program that it was a few years ago and be nationally recognized again has become my biggest goal,” Spicher said. “Seeing my students take what they’ve learned from me, whether it’s life lessons or textbook lessons, and apply them to their life defines the most prominent moment where I’ve felt proud of how I’m doing.”
Everyone finds value in varying aspects of life based on perspective. Importance to one doesn’t always equate to the same level of desirability. This concept remains the same in the eyes of students versus educators.
“I wish students [would] look at their assignments, not so much as something they have to do, but instead as something they could learn from and have [the mindset of] ‘I want to do this because I want to grow and be a better journalist,” Spicher said. “Children need to be our first priority, and education needs more of a spotlight on it in a positive way.”
Teachers affect those around them more than noticed, often providing advice and words of affirmation to students and coworkers facing the numerous challenges of growing up.
“I constantly remind myself to make sure I’m leading by example and make sure that I’m equipping my students with the tools that they need to be successful adults once they are outside of my classroom,” Spicher said. “I also make sure I’m keeping a good balance between home and work. It’s never going to work without balance.”
Relationships formed through shared words of wisdom provide a safe place for students going through the motions of high school life to turn to.
“Having relationships with certain teachers throughout high school made me want to give back to kids so that I could be that teacher for them,” Spicher said. “I wanted to be able to be that teacher for them, the one that was there for them, no matter what, whether it was something to do with school or outside of school, or just to have a special relationship with students.”
Through her years of education, both on the receiving and distributing end, Spicher’s list of life lessons continues to grow.
“If I could go back in time but with the knowledge I have now, I couldn’t tell high school me just one thing,” Spicher said. “ My top three are ‘think before you speak’, ‘don’t let your emotions in the moment lead you’, and ‘try to find a balance between your heart and your head.”