Episode 10: Dr. Tiffany Spicer – Welcome to Buna ISD.

[00:00:00] Andrew: Schooling is one of the few experiences majority of Americans share. Yet how much do we really know what goes on behind the scene? And what’s up with cafeteria lunches? I team up with developmental psychologist David Yeager to explore the personal side of education by speaking with superintendents.

I’m Andrew Kim, and I consider myself an accidental superintendent for the past 15 years. So grab your lunch money, and And welcome to lunch duty. So welcome to lunch duty. Dr. Tiffany Spicer. How are you?

[00:00:38] Tiffany: I’m great. Thank you for having me today.

[00:00:40] Andrew: Yeah. Listen, it’s been a while, but man, I’ve been a big fan of yours back in the round rock days.

You’re a young, up and coming, educator, administrator, and your name has been just all over and, followed your career here and there, watching you successful at places that are in many ways, challengeful, and now you are at the top of the top at Buena ISD. So I’m so glad to have you on this Lunch Duty Podcast.

[00:01:10] Tiffany: Yes, sir. Well, thank you for having me. I’m just, I’m truly honored, blessed, and I never even thought my career would be this way. I just wanted to end up as a high school principal. That was the peak of my career for me, initially. So it’s kind of, unique and kind of funny how things kind of turn out for me.

[00:01:27] Andrew: that’s funny you say that because, when I was coming up to the ranks, I was coming up to the Dallas ISD ranks and my greatest desire was to become the, the principal of North Dallas High School near downtown. That was my, if I, I told myself if I became the high school principal, that was it.

And, so, so what, what got you to move from that level to the superintendency then?

[00:01:54] Tiffany: Well, and it’s funny you ask. So again, I’m kind of minding my own business and, I had a plan. I’m going to teach for this long. I’m going to be administrator. I’m going to get my high school. but then I was in Round Rock at the time, matter of fact, and there was not a, we had five high schools at the time.

I remember. And nothing was open. And so, I had the opportunity to be an administrator at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock and open that campus with Damie Presley. And our feeder school, Ridgeview Middle School, it was open. And I had started there as a teacher like nine years ago, right? And so I’m just like, I don’t want to be a principal at middle school.

You kind of go back and forth. But I applied, got the job, and I was like, okay, this is great, So doing the work, and then one of my mentors was like, hey, we might have a high school open over here, and I know you like high school. And, everything kind of just fell in place.

But as I was doing that, I had some great superintendents who said, you’re going to be a superintendent. And I said, I am not. That was a conversation. And so, but before I left Round Rock, Dr. Flores, he said, you’re going to be superintendent. I was like, no, I’m good. He hooked me up and connected me with Dr.

Goffney. She was like, you need to go to TASB. I’m like, what’s that? I go, I meet people and they have their pipeline and I’m, learning and asking questions. And then when I got to Leander at the time, Dr. Champion, he was like, okay. finished school because I’m working my doctor at that time.

And then Dr. Talks became the superintendent. He goes, I heard you want to be a superintendent. Well, we got to get you to administration. I’m like, wait, what? I’m good. Like, so I think I’m doing the work and people are seeing my work. And I think it kind of spoke, it spoke and kind of went before me.

So that was like a blessing in the skies where people saw it in me even when I didn’t see it in myself. And so, everything kind of just kept falling into place. We’re just different opportunities at the admin level of central office. And then, I had a one, this was the best story ever. I go to Tasset Midwinter and one of you guys rival, rival high school people, he’s in Georgetown, I’m in Leander and he goes, Spicer.

Why aren’t you a superintendent yet? And I was like, cause I’m doing my job, So he literally made a phone call and he introduced me to a recruiter. He says, you have an appointment at two o’clock. I said, for what? And sure enough, I had the opportunity to meet with a recruiter. Oh, I can’t make this stuff up.

My life has been just uniquely crazy, but it’s a blessed kind of crazy. And, I met with the recruiter and, I had an interview. I submitted it that Friday, got the call the next week. I went on my first interview ever. I didn’t get it, but just to have that experience and exposure. And at that point I was like, I know I can do this.

You know what I mean? It wasn’t on the list of things Tiffany wanted to do, but it opened the door and I kind of got to see and experience like this, I can do this, I’m made for this. And so, a few years later, I applied and I got my first superintendent job and, it’s been, it’s been great. It’s been a blessing.

And I feel like my purpose is to change the world. I’ve said that from day one. and like that means one person at a time, one system at a time, one child at a time, one teacher at a time, one parent, one community member at a time. So I think we’re making the gains to make the world a better place. And I just believe in it.

And that’s what I get to do every day. So, yeah.

[00:05:24] Andrew: Oh, that’s awesome. It really is. and that sounds like a, a beautiful song, by the way. You should write that down. I, I wonder, I wonder looking backwards now, because you’re so reflective about who you are and your career, is there something that you can say, looking back at the younger you at that time period?

Yeah, I guess I gave off this energy that people. We’re recognizing that got me the jobs and the networking. Would you, I mean, is there something that you can say that about yourself, about the younger yourself back then? You think, I mean, I know that sounds like, I don’t want, I’m not trying to say that you’re arrogant enough to say that this is who I am.

I’m just saying reflection in looking backwards. Can you describe that person to me or to others who are listening to this?

[00:06:21] Tiffany: I think, just, that’s a great question because I’ve never been asked just to kind of sit back and kind of take an introspective look on my past. I think I’ve, I’ve always been that person who wanted to lead.

Now, I might not have been the leader, but I think about my time. So, growing up in church, my dad was a pastor, and we were military, so we moved a lot. But wherever I went, I was the choir director. I taught kids at, at church, Wednesday night Bible study, so I was always doing something to where I was leading and pouring into, I’ll say, youth, right?

Not knowing that that was like I’ll say a precursor to what I’d be when I in quotes grow up, right? And so I think like every position I had and I still I tell myself this but I tell my staff I don’t say the Jesus part, but I say do everything is unto the Lord. That’s something that’s a personal belief everybody has their own faith belief.

I get it. I respect it. But for Tiffany do everything is unto the Lord And so my thing I say do everything in excellence And so I’ve tried to make sure that my personal, my professional, relational, all the different parts of my life, spiritual, financial, is done in excellence. And so I think by trying to live up to that standard, I’ve been able to, attract maybe, different positions or opportunities or even people who say, you know what, I got my eye on you and I need to talk to you because I see something for you.

And, even my mentees and people that I have a chance to pour into, I tell them, I said, let me tell you something, you’re always interviewing, even when you don’t know it. You could be at the grocery store and somebody sees you and they say, you know what, there’s something in her or there’s something in him, right?

And so I think for me, I’m just like, I got to be excellent all I do because I got one life. I have one opportunity to make a difference. And so I take what I do and what I believe very seriously. And I think it kind of comes out and my actions, whether I’m just talking or, or reading or at a campus walking around or whatever, you know what I mean?

Yeah. Yeah,

[00:08:25] Andrew: it does. It does. I’m wondering, talking about your background growing up so in the public eye, your dad being a pastor, in front of others and in service of others. I wonder if you felt natural. To be in front of people, to be able to, not be bashful about through exuding your great smile, your personality, do you think that was helpful?

I mean, growing up,

[00:08:54] Tiffany: I think so, because, okay, so I just finished the, Dr. Bob Thompson Leadership Academy for superintendents, right? And so he made us do that inventory. And people are gonna be like, the people know, but they’re gonna be like, it’s not true. So in the inventory, it talked about me being an introvert.

And I kind of am like on the weekends and like when I’m not at work, I can tell you I can just be by myself and I’m okay. Like I’m that person. But when I’m at work, and my kids are expecting to see my smile and they’re ready to go and like, Oh my gosh, give me a hug. How are you and all those different things I’m on.

so I think it’s been my experience just, church, the choir director, I got to know everybody’s part, I got to lead them, I got to make sure the music’s on point, I got to make sure all the vocals on point, I got to make sure the congregation likes the song, like, it’s always kind of been a part of my world.

And so I think, just all those different experiences have led themselves to here. And so like, When I’m at work, I’m at work, and my work is me giving to people, pouring into people, leading people, trying to help them maneuver. So I think, I think it’s been in me. It has to be pulled out when it’s time, but when I’m not, and it’s just Tiffany and Dr.

Spicer, I’m just quiet to myself. I can read a book for two days and not be bothered, right? Absolutely.

[00:10:20] Andrew: Yeah, I, I like to think of myself as, Yeah, that quiet time was always something that I always appreciate it, because the job is so hard and I think we naturally, I think default to that, in many ways, because you are in the public guide, you are on all the time, like you said, you’re being interviewed all the time, when you work with your staff, especially now as a superintendent, how do you go about ensuring that They get Tiffany, or do they get Dr.

Spicer? How does that work? how do you make that work?

[00:10:58] Tiffany: Well, I think, there’s a mixture and a balance. So, people need to know that you are a real person, but they also need to, I’ll say respect the position, right? And so that’s kind of how I operate. And so when I first got here, so it’s my first superintendency, and I’m taking notes from all my friends, mentors, and other, everybody who’s kind of done it already.

And so. Some of the things I’ve learned, some people are just like, I’m just very, straight to the point, business, you call me doctor, whatever, right? And some people are very, I’ll say first name, very familiar. so I think I have a balance, like, I’m Dr. Spicer here, behind closed doors with some people, I could be Tiffany, but when I go to campuses, like, I had just some, I had some meetings.

I went to all the campuses. I went to the different departments, and I was just very, I’ll say, transparent and vulnerable. I said, these are my priorities. Let me just tell you a little bit about me. My faith is first, first and foremost. My family is second. And what I mean by that, if something happens and my family calls, I’m going to go take care of my family.

I will leave right now to go do that. And then I said, my health is third. I’m going to exercise every morning. I take care of myself. I do me, because I also expect you to do you, right? And then I said, fourth is my career. So I said, it’s not to be disrespectful. I said, but I need you to know these are my priorities.

And I said that to the board in my interview. I said that to the staff after I got the job, because I think they need to know this is where I stand. But what it also did, it gave permission for everyone else. to put their priorities in order. And so now, I had some staffers like, they’re like, okay, so I went for a walk and I was like, good job.

Or I’m drinking my water. I’m like, great job. So things I think that people think like, I don’t have time. Yes, you do. When it’s time to go, you need to shut it down. The work will be there, So kind of modeling my expectations, but getting permission, Yeah.

[00:12:59] Andrew: it’s so interesting and insightful you say that.

And I’m wondering, Because we’re in the business of educating children. It’s a 24 hour, seven day job. If you think about it, like, teachers get 20 minutes of lunchtime, maybe, and also restroom breaks. I think about that, right? I mean, if you think about it from that perspective, It’s hard for us.

I think, do you think we feel guilty or some level of guilt about taking some personal time, to take a walk middle of the day? Oh, and so I think you giving permission to your staff is pretty, that’s pretty, that’s, that’s really good to do that. I mean, and I’m wondering as a result of that, are you getting more buy in from them about other things that you got to work on and the things that you do have to tackle on a day to day basis?

[00:13:47] Tiffany: Absolutely, I believe so. I believe that, they know I’m a real person, and I think sometimes when you have leaders, people think, they’re untouchable, they’re not real, like, they’re always happy. Like, and I smile 90 percent of the time, even 95 percent of the time, I have a smile. Even on a bad day, I believe it’s a good day because I’m above ground, right?

And so, I think that because I Took the time and still take the time to show my vulnerability in some areas, not all. I think they know that she’s a real person. And so, like, I had somebody, they have a sick child right now. They’re just, we talked last night and I said, listen, go, go be a parent.

The job will be here. We will be here. You go now. End of discussion. Like that was the conversation. And so I think that we have to keep our priorities in check, but also give people the opportunity to keep theirs in check, even if they’re not. because life is short. I’ve had students die. I’ve had parents die.

I’ve had, I’ve had life happen and you can’t get that back. And the crazy thing I tell my, I told my staff this and me crazy, but I told him, I said, listen, I said, I think I’m doing a great job. I think you think I’m doing a great job. I said, but if I died today, y’all might cry for one day, maybe two, but then you’re going to post the job superintendent of Buena ISD.

We need one. Right. And so it’s the reality. So, I know I’m replaceable. And so I also know I have to take care of myself. And so, and I tell them, I said, if I’m replaceable, you are too. So let’s, let’s do right. Let’s do right by each other. And then let’s do right by our kids and our families and get the job done.

so I think it’s, it’s that balance, but giving that permission and validation when people do need to take care of themselves or their families.

[00:15:37] Andrew: There’s a Latin phrase that’s translated to all glory is fleeting. And so, in the notion that, fortunately that, I know that sometimes we appreciate the level and the status that we have, but it really is short lived and it’s really not, it’s not what makes happiness come come alive.

I think is what you’re trying to point out there. I’m wondering, Tiffany, when you Look for staff members, perhaps to add on to your staff. Are you looking for, because you are so, constant about this notion of the person and the individual. I’m wondering, are you looking for that person?

From a status of that, who brings the table that fits in from that aspect of it, or are you looking for skill sets? How are you prioritizing when you look for a, a person to, work for you or to hire on, perhaps? how, how are you thinking about that?

[00:16:43] Tiffany: That’s a great question. For me, you have to love kids and it’s not something you say.

but I hear it in your responses. when I’m fortunate enough to know of the person or seen, or have seen their work, that makes it better because I can see that their words and their actions line up. That’s important for me, when it’s like a cold interview and, you have just people coming to the table, I kind of listen to see if their responses are student focused.

That’s important to me. I can teach you how to do the job. I need to know where your heart and your loyalty lies. That’s important. If I know that you’re passionate about kids and you’re passionate about making a difference and changing generations and lives, that’s You’re my woman. You’re my man. Let’s go.

if it’s me, myself and I, and yes, I know my curriculum that does not wow me because I can teach anybody curriculum. I can’t teach you how to have a passion for Children are for people. Right? And so that’s kind of some of the the qualities I look for. and then if they come out, just, I’m just like, okay, now I got that part of it.

Now let’s talk business. So, let’s talk about this skill, and then we kind of get into that work. But that’s kind of where I start as a foundation because if I got that, We can shape the rest and we can build the rest. And I think that’s one of the things we’ve done here to build our team and kind of strengthen our team so that we have the right people in the right seats to make sure even the climate and culture as the academics shift and our instruction and our processes and our systems shift.

So does the environment shift in a positive manner

[00:18:24] Andrew: to, well, I think in all of that is rooted in your faith. In my personal opinion of you, you’re, you’re strong in that. And it sounds like in, obviously listening to you talk here today and earlier that Your upbringing, especially, upbringing with, with strong faith in your family must have had a huge influence.

So where’d you grow up? And let’s talk more about your dad and your mom and all that good stuff. So with that, where’d you grow up now?

[00:18:55] Tiffany: Well, military. So I got claimed the USA. I was born in Texas. so everybody thinks I’m from Texas, but I’m kind of not. I was born in Bryan collar station. back in the seventies and, we moved, I’ll say about every four years.

So, after Brian, we were in California, after California came to Austin. I went to AISD schools for a little bit. And then after Austin, we moved to Virginia. I lived in Hampton, we lived on base, and I went to three, I went to three middle schools, that, that was a crazy part of my life. and then after Virginia, went to New Mexico, Albuquerque, and I graduated high school from there.

So, I claim depending on who I’m with and what we’re talking about, I’ll claim the West Coast, sometimes the East, sometimes South. I can’t claim North, but, that’s kind of like my little journey. So I think, the cool thing about that is I got to meet people and I still have friends in almost all those places, even in my late forties.

Right. And so that’s kind of cool for me. but I also have, my mom, my dad. Me and my brother, and so us four, we’re tight, but we have a very big family in Texas, like, my dad had nine siblings, his mom had 14 siblings, so we have a very big, big, big family, but that core unit, with mom and dad and my brother, that was priceless, and, just moving around different places in the country, we, you’re tight.

Because that’s all you got. You start, you cry because you’re leaving somewhere and then you go somewhere new and you start over and it’s like that cycle, but we had our, we had our core unit.

[00:20:39] Andrew: I’m wondering if that strengthened your, your, perchance to move to a new place without fear as a result of that, or try new things as a new, new challenge because of the fact that you’ve, you experienced so much growing up.

Are those changes? That for you, change is really abnormal. You say that.

[00:20:58] Tiffany: Right. Oh, definitely. I think people have a hard time, sometimes, and that’s a very general term, with change or with moving, we moved a lot. And yes, I cried every time we left. I was just like, oh my gosh, I don’t want to let my friends start all over, all those different things a little teenage girl does.

But then I got there, made new friends, and I was like, oh my gosh, I don’t want to leave. and it’s a repeat, But, I think I had exposure to all kinds of people. So living on the military basis, we were white, we were Black, we were Asian, we were Hispanic, we were everything, right? And so you got to meet all kinds of people, racially, ethnically, just everything.

And so I’ve had exposure and experience just with, just with people. And I think that makes me, A person who, I value people and I value people’s differences, and I appreciate it because you can teach me something that I might not know or have experienced, and so I think that kind of gives me a Almost a head start, but a little bit of advantage than some other people might have,

[00:22:07] Andrew: Well, it comes, it comes out, whenever, whenever I’ve heard you speak in the past, obviously, even in this podcast right here, a sense of who you are, just exudes. And, I can see. Now, where that comes from, the inner strength really shines out and I’m not just saying that, so I’m really, appreciate that you’re sharing those.

And my understanding, of course, is that faith was sort of the common denominator as well as family during those, all those changes. and, now I think about the superintendency, and having done this job now. what’s a common is, is obviously the faith and family are still a common denominator for you.

is there anything else though, in the superintendents that you’ve learned that becomes a common denominator for you now beyond those two things, or is that those things have been more strengthened as a result of the superintendency?

[00:23:10] Tiffany: I think they’ve been strengthened those two for sure. but I also think, self care and my health has kind of risen up to a high number three.

because, I’ve seen some of my peers, who are superintendents and even those who aren’t superintendents, get stressed by the work. Education, for those who are not in education, they don’t understand my, my perception. They don’t understand what we do. they don’t understand the tolls, they don’t understand, the negative, crazy social media that comes with the job or the political, conversations or political schemes that are going on with, just politics in and outside of education.

So I think I had to make sure that I took and continue to take care of myself on the job. And, as I kind of share with you before, it’s like I’ve seen superintendent friends, and colleagues who, poor health or gained a lot of weight or deaths. Or just do the job to where, that’s all they do and they lost their marriage.

They lost their children and those different things. And so I’m not to say that I’m perfect. along the journey, like when I was a high school principal, I gained a lot of weight. Like that’s the true story. If you look at my pictures, go to my Twitter, you can see my face just swole, right? And so I gained a lot of weight and I’m working on my dishes.

[00:24:46] Andrew: Yeah, don’t you

[00:24:46] Tiffany: look, don’t you dare look. But like I kind of came to a point to where, something happened to my dad, his physical health, It’s been like seven or eight years though. He had a heart attack and a stroke the same year and he’s healthy. And I’m like, Oh, shoots, right? Yeah. And so that got my attention.

And he told me, he said, Tiffany, I never forget we’re in Dallas at a family union. He says, you need to get your life together. You cannot die and you have to take care of your girls. And so that was kind of like a slap in the face, wake up call. And so after that, I didn’t necessarily jump right on it, but as I kind of advanced in my career, I was like, I cannot not be in shape.

I cannot not take care of myself if I’m trying to lead people. Like, you can’t lead if you’re not leading and taking care of your temple, So I, I, I work out daily. I created a blog about my working out. I speak to that and I try to encourage, especially women, because we need to take care of ourselves.

I think sometimes you have some individuals, they’ll just be like, I’m going on vacation, bye. Some of us, oh no, I can’t leave for whatever reason. But every now and then, leave early on a half day on a Friday, fly out of the state, go put your head on a pillow, don’t do nothing, just sleep. And come back and just imagine how good you feel.

Right? I work out every morning, with a run on the bike, yoga, whatever. It’s just my stress relief just to come back and give. And so I think we give, give, give, but we don’t refill our cups. And so that’s my way to refill and take care of myself as I take care of others,

[00:26:29] Andrew: I wish I would have heard this, some time ago because, I, I would, heed that advice and, and double down on your advice to others out there who might be listening because it’s so true.

[00:26:39] Tiffany: Yes, sir.

[00:26:40] Andrew: Yes, sir. And I think, the public has, takes the superintendent for granted. it’s a position that unfortunately, It’s almost like a throwaway position for many out there. And, but it’s a really difficult job. And I know you’re doing a fantastic job there and they’re really looking to have you there.

I got to ask this question. Then, I apologize for asking it in some sense, but it’s important because I think, like I said, you not only are just a great superintendent, great educator. And obviously now it’s just great advocate of individual health and so forth. But you’re, there’s not many female superintendents out there and out of the, over a thousand schools, districts out there in the state of Texas alone, you’re one of the, certainly, one of the bright, shining lights.

how has it been as a female? not only that, but also African American, superintendent. Mm-Hmm. to navigate the superintendent, what is that to you? And, and is it, how does that feel? Is it, challenging? Do you have to, do you, are you conscious of that? and how does that work in your world and your perspective?

[00:27:50] Tiffany: Yeah. So, okay. Funny that you asked that question. So, side note, I blog and one of the promises I made to myself, but I did it publicly. So I did it is, I blogged about my first year as a superintendent. So I’m in year two, about to wrap up two, but I still blog every month and this month’s blog, I literally just posted, which is so ironic that you asked the question.

I just posted this past weekend and I talk about being the first and being the first African American. sometimes or sometimes being the first female or sometimes being the first in both. And so in the blog, I talk about my first high school principalship that I mentioned earlier. I was the first principal of color in that district, 2014.

And I talk about the fact that people are like, Oh my gosh, how cool. And yes, I was excited. I was honored, all those things. But at the same time, it was kind of like, wait a minute. It’s 2014. How was that possible? And so I kind of share a little bit about that experience. And then even coming here, it’s not a secret.

I am the first African American, Administrator, Superintendent, if you will. I’ll probably say Administrator. Yeah. And so, it’s, it’s a fact. And even when I interviewed, in my board, we, I’m very, I don’t know, I’m very transparent. They’re all, they’re all white. One woman, six men, and then there’s me, right?

And so in my community, everybody knows my car and everybody knows me, like, I can’t hide. And so it’s, it’s comical, but it’s one of those, like, And they know where you live

[00:29:28] Andrew: too.

[00:29:30] Tiffany: Yeah, they do. Like, they’ll knock and say, Hey, I’m here. I brought you a cake. And I’m like, Wait, what? you’re like that.

Yeah, true story. But it’s cute. I love it. Right. But it’s one of those two where I, I believe that when you are a person of color, and when you are a woman. are both, you’re held to a higher standard. And some people might not agree with me. And I even say that in my blog. I was like, you might not. I said, but this is my perception.

My perception is this. If I’m the first African American ever in this seat, in this district, or pick a different district, I have to be exemplary in my work. Because if I’m not, the door will not open for another African American. I, I know that for a fact. And so one of the things I shared and in the blog was that like that, that district that I mentioned previously, they do, they have a diverse pool of principals and different leaders and there are different, racial identities.

And so, that, that wasn’t a thing. pre me. And so I’m not saying it’s because of me by any means, but I’m saying I know I had to operate in excellence so the door would not close for anybody else who happened to look like me. And so I don’t take this work lightly. And I don’t take the fact that I’m a Black woman lightly because I know my white students are looking up at me.

My African American students are looking up at me. My Hispanic students, my parents. My seniors, silver seniors, that’s my little group, like all the, all the people, all the things, they’re paying attention. And so, I know I have to operate on all cylinders and make sure that work is great because I don’t want the door to close for someone else who may come after me.

And so, I take that so seriously. And again, people, I would, I’ll argue anybody down on that one, just because that’s just been my experience. And, it’s, it’s hard. I think I might even project some of that stress on myself, because I think through those things and other people might not have to think through those things, but I think they’re important to be mindful of because.

I want to make sure that door stays open for people who want to sit in this seat.

[00:31:54] Andrew: How heavy of a burden, is that you think though? I mean, that’s a huge weight. Don’t you think?

[00:32:01] Tiffany: It is. I, I, I think I kinda, some people might say I put it on myself and some people might say, no, that’s a true burden.

Cause I feel it too.

[00:32:13] Andrew: but

[00:32:15] Tiffany: I feel like I’m called to do this work, and I believe I can. And that’s why Crazy Here gets up at 4. 30, 4. 45 every morning to work out. So I don’t come to work stressed or burdened. That’s my release to be like, okay, let it go. Yes, you got this hearing coming up. You got this whatever or whatever.

Pick a topic, right? Because every day is different. But when I come to work, I’m ready. And the pressure, it’s there, but I don’t pay attention to it. I just do the job and do what I know to do, because it’s the right thing to do. And I’m like, let the rest take care of it. So, so it can be a burden if you let it, but I think it’s a blessing because I get the opportunity to do those things and represent.

[00:33:02] Andrew: I think a lot of folks don’t understand that as a minority, even, obviously, in your, in our cases, in your case, you had to prove this in the public setting, in, in brass and other situations, it’s not so public that you may have to prove it, but, you’re, you’re in the eyes of the public, whether you go to the grocery store, you’re driving your car.

so you’re constantly under that burden, a pressure, a pressure, a burden, and that takes a toll is, is what I would say. and, and the fact that you’re doing it with a smile on your face on a day to day basis and your enthusiasm, like I said, there is a lesson here to be learned from you.

There’s no doubt, no doubt. so, I know we spent a lot of time and I promised you about 37 minutes, so we’re down to the end here. we got a good note, a funny note, hopefully. so this show is called Lunch Duty, and I think that all administrators or educators, for that matter, Have done lunch duty in their career.

And I’m sure you still do it now. any funny stories about any lunch duty out there when you’re a high school principal or middle school principal at Ridgeview and other places that you may have, or even now, I mean, what great lunch duty stories do you have?

[00:34:26] Tiffany: Oh, okay. That’s I wasn’t ready for that. And I should have been hence the title, right?

I don’t have a funny story, but I will tell you that I appreciate lunches. So, just last week. First of all, we had, we had to cancel school because we had tornadoes, warnings, all that stuff. It’s crazy. Like, being in Southeast Texas, it’s unique for me. That’s very different. But, I think the next day or the day before, I can’t remember, I’m in the cafeteria and I’m meeting with my student ambassadors, but I’m also trying to go check on my, my baby.

I’m going to just say hi, this is elementary. And so I was looking for one student in particular, just to say hi and to say, Hey, I was going to give you a message, from another adult. And I never made it to her because, Hey Dr. Spicer, hug, Hey Dr. Spicer, who are you? Are you the superintendent? Who

[00:35:16] Andrew: are

[00:35:16] Tiffany: you?

Like all that. So I never made it to where I was going. So that’s kind of like the life, especially with elementary. And then every now and then I do serve in the cafeterias in our schools. And every time it never fails, some are like, so who are you? And I’m like, no, no, let me phrase, are you the new lunch lady?

And I was like, today I am I’m helping, and other kids are just like, that’s super, that’s Dr. Spicer, So it’s just comical, but the small things go so far. And for me, it’s 30 minutes. Sometimes an hour. Cause I’ll stay through multiple lunches of my time, but that impact is priceless. So when I get to work in the cafeteria, my high school, now they give me grief and junior high, they give me grief, but it’s so much fun, So yes, lunch duty.

[00:36:06] Andrew: You know what, I, I will say I miss a lot of things. I don’t miss a lot of things, but, lunch duty or spending time with his during lunchtime was fantastic. I loved it. And I love hanging out with them. I used to, make pancakes in the morning during, February. We did that in Red Rock, yes.

Yeah, we, I made pancakes for all the kids in the morning of each of the high schools, giving away pancakes. it was always fun to do something like that. So, yeah, no, I, I appreciate you sharing that. it brings me a smile to my face, no doubt. listen, we’ve taken up hours amount of time. I appreciate you.

You’re fantastic. I can’t wait to come out and see you and get a tour of Buna ISD. I want to get a baseball hat from, high school as well. You can hook me up with that, but yeah, there’s something I can do to help you. Of course, let me know. And just, I just appreciate you very much.

[00:37:06] Tiffany: Absolutely.

Thank you for this honor. I’m truly honored to be a part. Thank you so much.

[00:37:12] Andrew: Thank you so much. And listen, you take care and God bless, all right? Talk to you soon.

[00:37:16] Tiffany: All right. You too. Yes, sir. Thank you.

[00:37:19] Andrew: Lunch Duty is produced by David Yeager and me, Andrew Kim. We thank the Latest Development Studio and the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin for their support.

Thank you for listening and please join us for our next episode of Lunch Duty.