Movie Monday: Big and Small Screen

Tomorrow is the Big Day, as my family and take off to my Dissertation Defense!

Meanwhile, we actually caught three films on DVD during THANKSgiving weekend:

• Aloha
• Ricki and the Flash
• The Age of Adeline

Initially, I only was interested in Aloha, mainly for the Air Force (not to mention Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone who I especially liked as Gwen Stacy from The Amazing Spider-Man, and Rachel McAdams from The Notebook that we watched on our first Movie Night with my parents as empty nesters a decade ago) ~ but I ended up sticking around with my folks for the rest to make the most out of our time together (and ended up getting hair inspiration from the other two movies ~ especially from Blake Lively as Adeline, a.k.a. Amanda and Jenny).

After I present my sports study, these are the *NEW* football flicks that I must catch that are relevant to my research:

• My All American ~ recently released last month’s Friday, the 13th

• Concussion ~ coming this CHRISTmas!

Flashback Friday: Scholar Satisfaction with Strategy

I’ve advanced from my committee to full faculty defense!

 As I prepare for my first round of presentation(s), I connect the actual theories of my dissertation study with reaching this ultimate finish line of achieving my doctoral degree …

What Worked for Me?

Exemplary Leadership Practices

• Model the Way and Inspire a Shared Vision ~ self-fulfilling prophecy: behaving consistently with the goal that I’ve set forth
• Challenge the Process ~ minimizing distractions ~ I’ve kept my iPhone on “Airplane Mode” (which has helped so I could dodge notifications from text messages, news and sports while checking email and other information from my computers)
• Enable Others to Act and Encourage the ♥Heart♥ ~ keeping around the support system that I endearingly call Team Dr. D, including my Double A-Team, who spread positive vibes through prayer and motivation

Flashback Friday: Acting out a skit for our doctoral program‘s first Halloween luncheon! This was a nice mid-term break from our heavy course load to have fun!

Speaking of PRACTICE, practicing indeed makes perfect in many ways:

• from doing Tae Bo to lose the “Freshman 15” (8-min. workout 8x/day)
• to running through my presentation on my own and with my chair

Athlete Satisfaction

• Satisfaction with  Strategy, Ability Utilization plus Training and Instruction ~ taking the tactics necessary to sticking with the program: my professors emphasized our strengths plus accommodated to our audio, visual and kinesthetic learning styles
• Satisfaction with Team Integration and Personal Dedication ~ I was blessed to part of a study group who collaborated well and helped out each other, plus when I felt overwhelmed with test anxiety (so I should empathize with my students who experience speech anxiety), I’d work out {Exhibits A and B} to boost and induce my confidence

* Example: When we took our written first-year luminary comprehensive examinations, I saw my fellow physically active classmate stretching, so I also moved my muscles to bring blood flow to my brain, and during our breaks, I’d step outside the academic building for fresh air and relaxing at the gazebo to clear my head

Flashback Friday: Apparently, I didn’t have shame  in my game by decking myself out in this *DCC* costume! #PostMarathonPhysique

Plus, I’ve considered mistakes that I’ve made that potentially could have set me back from reaching my goal

What Did NOT Work for Me?

• I lost sight of my “prize” when I focused on external forces, such as a social life or romance ~ which probably would’ve been effective if I had a supportive partner

Feline Friday: Sweet Annie the Stats Cat loves her reflection so much that she surrendered to her staring contest and snoozed #SnapCat #CatNap

Reflecting on my growth through this process has made me stronger as a productive person in society, but most of all: one who gives my gifts to GOD!

Study Saturday: Elaine the Educator’s College Guidelines

ConGRADulations, 🎓Class of 2015!!!🎉

Throwback: School Portraits of yours truly from Pre-K-12th Grade

My H.S. Grad: Abilene Cooper, Class of 1999

 

 For 🔔high schoolers, I’m imparting advice💭 that worked to my advantage when I prepared for college🏤 and throughout my career:

• College Applications📑
• College Internship💼
• College Bucket List📋

Additional Articles by Educator Elaine

For your health as a student:

• Healthy Lifestyle
• Stress Reduction
• Organized Desk

For studying and writing plus speaking :

• Note Mastery
• Writing Benefits
• *Speech Pros*

For learning:

• Intrapersonal Style
• Technology Enhancement

For student-athletes:

• Athlete Expectations

For exercise enthusiasts:

• Fitness Degree

For electives:

• Unique Courses

For graduate students and researchers:

• Ethnography Programs
• Dissertation Hypotheses
• Online References

Bachelor of Arts in Communication, McMurry University, 2003

I’ve been beyond blessed to have taught college students who were valedictorians (No. 1), salutatorians (No. 2) and top-ranked out of their class ~ two during this graduation season alone who are speaking🎤 at their commencement:

• Student Body President (female 💪🏽powerlifter) from last 🌞summer🌼
• Valedictorian (state 🏁championship🏆 🏈football🏉 player) from this past 🍀spring🌷

Master of Arts in Communication, Angelo State University, 2006

We present … The Graduates!!!👏🏽 {☝🏽️GOD-willing🙏🏽, I’ll walk👟 for my doctoral degree}

Study Saturday: Time to Collect

It is official: my study has been approved!

Needless to say, when I was notified that I can commence my research, I was overjoyed and grateful to GOD. During every free moment, I have worked on my dissertation, from my concept proposal to my proposal defense to my research proposal ~ it surely has paid off!

Here is more information about my study:

I am surveying Texas student-athletes on their perceptions of how their college coaches’ leadership influences their academic and athletic performance, as well as their athlete satisfaction. Based on my own studies of leadership, this element is essential:

***VISION***

When I asked my former boss at the first college where I taught what she needed to complete her Ph.D., she pointed out to me:

***PERSEVERANCE***

When I asked my former office next door neighbor at that same school what got her through her terminal degree, she told out me:

***ENDURANCE***

… which also helped her with her first 5K race, which we randomly ran together!

{Top three inspirational photos and quotes from Dyess AFB Base Gym, where I’ve been exercising lately}