Hi
everyone! I’m Dr. Lyndsey Zurawski from Speech to the Core and I’m sharing how
I stepped out of my comfort zone! Thank you Natalie for hosting a great series.
everyone! I’m Dr. Lyndsey Zurawski from Speech to the Core and I’m sharing how
I stepped out of my comfort zone! Thank you Natalie for hosting a great series.
This is my 10th year as a practicing SLP. 10 years! To me, that’s
a milestone. Around my 7th year (think—7 year itch), I started wondering what
else I wanted from our profession. I knew I loved being a SLP. Not just a SLP, but
also a school-based SLP. The one area, that I take issue with, working in the
school setting is there’s not a lot of room for growth. I was beginning to get
frustrated. Frustrated with my school, my caseload, my “no room” for
growth, and not knowing exactly where I would be “5 years from now”.
I decided to apply to Nova Southeastern to the Doctor of Speech Language
Pathology program (SLP.D); to my surprise and delight I was accepted. I met my
husband at the same time I was accepted. Thankfully, he was onboard and
supportive, although I don’t think he actually knew what was in store for the
next 3 years of our lives. That satisfied me for a little while. But, then I
realized that even receiving my doctorate wasn’t enough, I wanted more.
a milestone. Around my 7th year (think—7 year itch), I started wondering what
else I wanted from our profession. I knew I loved being a SLP. Not just a SLP, but
also a school-based SLP. The one area, that I take issue with, working in the
school setting is there’s not a lot of room for growth. I was beginning to get
frustrated. Frustrated with my school, my caseload, my “no room” for
growth, and not knowing exactly where I would be “5 years from now”.
I decided to apply to Nova Southeastern to the Doctor of Speech Language
Pathology program (SLP.D); to my surprise and delight I was accepted. I met my
husband at the same time I was accepted. Thankfully, he was onboard and
supportive, although I don’t think he actually knew what was in store for the
next 3 years of our lives. That satisfied me for a little while. But, then I
realized that even receiving my doctorate wasn’t enough, I wanted more.
One year later, I saw an email from ASHA offering a leadership
development program. I thought that it sounded interesting! Again, surprised
when I was accepted! A little extra information (for those of you that are
curious!) about the LDP Program- Each year, ASHA runs 2 LDP cohorts (they
change by the year). The year I participated there was the Early Career
Professionals (the one I attended) and the School LDP. Last year, there was a
health care LDP. The LDP program is set up so that you attend 1 live session
either at ASHA Headquarters or during a conference. During this face-to-face
meeting you have the opportunity to meet your other LDP cohort members and are
placed into “break-out” workgroups. These workgroups become your
support system throughout the program. I still keep in touch with the girls in
my breakout group along with some others from my cohort. After attending the
face-to-face session, every other month there are webinars led by two coaches.
The webinar topics range from Emotional Intelligence, coaching, mentoring,
leadership, and conflict resolution, amongst many topics. In addition, you are
required to develop a leadership project. Your breakout group helps to keep you
on track and is used as a sounding board throughout the process. The ultimate goal
is to assist you with developing/enhancing your leadership skills to reach your
own individual goals. You can apply for the newest LDP Schools by clicking here.
development program. I thought that it sounded interesting! Again, surprised
when I was accepted! A little extra information (for those of you that are
curious!) about the LDP Program- Each year, ASHA runs 2 LDP cohorts (they
change by the year). The year I participated there was the Early Career
Professionals (the one I attended) and the School LDP. Last year, there was a
health care LDP. The LDP program is set up so that you attend 1 live session
either at ASHA Headquarters or during a conference. During this face-to-face
meeting you have the opportunity to meet your other LDP cohort members and are
placed into “break-out” workgroups. These workgroups become your
support system throughout the program. I still keep in touch with the girls in
my breakout group along with some others from my cohort. After attending the
face-to-face session, every other month there are webinars led by two coaches.
The webinar topics range from Emotional Intelligence, coaching, mentoring,
leadership, and conflict resolution, amongst many topics. In addition, you are
required to develop a leadership project. Your breakout group helps to keep you
on track and is used as a sounding board throughout the process. The ultimate goal
is to assist you with developing/enhancing your leadership skills to reach your
own individual goals. You can apply for the newest LDP Schools by clicking here.
A little sample of what my EI results looked like…
The ladies in my “breakout” group!
I believe that participating in this program was the catalyst for
change in my professional career. One of the major components of the program is
discussing Emotional Intelligence. If you aren’t sure what it is, you should Google
it! It changed my life! I always considered myself to be “assertive”.
Turns out, according to my EI, results I was actually less assertive that I
thought. One of our assignments was to take our results and discuss them with a
mentor. I went and spoke with my principal. It was then, a pivotal learning
moment, in which I realized I avoid conflict. I am good at being assertive when
things are going my way. But, when things get sticky, I tend to shy away. So…
now was the time to change that! Assertiveness here I come!
change in my professional career. One of the major components of the program is
discussing Emotional Intelligence. If you aren’t sure what it is, you should Google
it! It changed my life! I always considered myself to be “assertive”.
Turns out, according to my EI, results I was actually less assertive that I
thought. One of our assignments was to take our results and discuss them with a
mentor. I went and spoke with my principal. It was then, a pivotal learning
moment, in which I realized I avoid conflict. I am good at being assertive when
things are going my way. But, when things get sticky, I tend to shy away. So…
now was the time to change that! Assertiveness here I come!
In order to graduate from LDP I developed an Inclusion Mentoring
and Training (IMAT) Program in my school district. I work in the 11th largest
school district in the country. We employ over 380 SLPs (are you thinking, holy
cow?!) so, I wanted to be able to tap into the potential of all of the SLPs we
have in such a large district. So…. here’s where the
stepping out of my comfort zone comes in.
and Training (IMAT) Program in my school district. I work in the 11th largest
school district in the country. We employ over 380 SLPs (are you thinking, holy
cow?!) so, I wanted to be able to tap into the potential of all of the SLPs we
have in such a large district. So…. here’s where the
stepping out of my comfort zone comes in.
In order to implement my program I needed to speak to my “big
boss”, the Speech and Language Impaired Program Planner. I scheduled a
time to meet with her. But, not only was I wanting to discuss my IMAT program,
I also wanted to discuss how I was feeling “stuck”. I wanted a
change. This is where my assertiveness had to come in. It
all worked out, the following school year I became a diagnostician 1 day per
week. I was also implementing my IMAT program. The change in my schedule was
integral in changing my outlook on my future as a speech-language pathologist
in the schools.
boss”, the Speech and Language Impaired Program Planner. I scheduled a
time to meet with her. But, not only was I wanting to discuss my IMAT program,
I also wanted to discuss how I was feeling “stuck”. I wanted a
change. This is where my assertiveness had to come in. It
all worked out, the following school year I became a diagnostician 1 day per
week. I was also implementing my IMAT program. The change in my schedule was
integral in changing my outlook on my future as a speech-language pathologist
in the schools.
I was granted what I asked for. Now, I’m much more open to asking
for what I want. I know that I won’t ALWYS get what I want. But, I do know now,
that it will always be worth the effort to ask. What’s the worst that happens?
Someone tells me “no”… oh well!
for what I want. I know that I won’t ALWYS get what I want. But, I do know now,
that it will always be worth the effort to ask. What’s the worst that happens?
Someone tells me “no”… oh well!
Sometimes, we think we know what we want because we’re
“dreaming” about it. This year I was presented with the opportunity
to apply for a leadership position. I applied, but my interview did not go as
well as I would have liked. However, I truly believe everything happens for a
reason. While I did not get the job (you could see that coming, couldn’t you?),
I could not be happier in my role as clinician, CF supervisor, mentor, IMAT implementer,
PLC leader and so much more! I learned that what I thought I wanted wasn’t
really what I wanted. I learned so much about myself because I took a
leap…while I might have scraped my face on the way down; I’m no worse for the
wear.
“dreaming” about it. This year I was presented with the opportunity
to apply for a leadership position. I applied, but my interview did not go as
well as I would have liked. However, I truly believe everything happens for a
reason. While I did not get the job (you could see that coming, couldn’t you?),
I could not be happier in my role as clinician, CF supervisor, mentor, IMAT implementer,
PLC leader and so much more! I learned that what I thought I wanted wasn’t
really what I wanted. I learned so much about myself because I took a
leap…while I might have scraped my face on the way down; I’m no worse for the
wear.
To wrap this up… Over the past two years, my comfort zone has expanded
infinitely. I have presented at the state and national level. Co-presented with
ASHA Staff, invited to present at the ASHA online Language and Literacy in
Elementary Schools, became a blogger, and started developing products on TpT.
Oh year, I also received my doctorate. I’m not sure what else our profession
has in store for me. But, I do know I can’t wait to dive headfirst! I still have my “comfort zone”, but I’m not as terrified to take a step out.
infinitely. I have presented at the state and national level. Co-presented with
ASHA Staff, invited to present at the ASHA online Language and Literacy in
Elementary Schools, became a blogger, and started developing products on TpT.
Oh year, I also received my doctorate. I’m not sure what else our profession
has in store for me. But, I do know I can’t wait to dive headfirst! I still have my “comfort zone”, but I’m not as terrified to take a step out.
Try stepping out of your comfort zone and see what life has in
store for you! I promise there will be at least 1 phenomenal thing out
there!
store for you! I promise there will be at least 1 phenomenal thing out
there!
Excellent article Lyndsey! Thanks for sharing. I definitely can relate to your desire for professional growth! This is year 11 for me working as an SLP & I constantly seek fresh ideas. Thanks for hosting this series Natalie.
Thanks for this terrific post Lyndsey! I'm always so amazed by the incredibly talented people in our field. It was interesting to read about your experience with the LDP program–I had considered applying and your post has motivated me to move forward and give it a try! Thanks for hosting Natalie–Daria
Great post, Lyndsey! Keep reaching for the brass ring. I'm with you; ASHA LDP changed my life!