Week 6 - Adjourning

 Are high-performing groups hardest to leave?

I would have to say yes because all the components to make that group experience worthwhile was present.



Groups with the clearest established norms?

Again I would say yes if you are the type of person who needs those norms established. I think for most of us, myself included, that organization and clear expectations help all of us know what is exactly expected of us.


Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced?

I think the hardest group for me to leave was the group of people I went to college with the second time. I was a non-traditional student (40!) and became sort of the "mother hen" to many of the students who were much younger than me! I walked through the arches on the campus when I first started and I walked through them on graduation day which put a closure on my college experience.

 How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

I will definitely tell everyone thank you and best wishes as they journey into their professions. It helps to put closure on people that we have worked with. It also gives you a sense of pride in the work a group has accomplished!

Conflict Week 5

What an interesting time for this question to be posted in our Blog. I have to say that after last week, I have had to really hold my tongue and keep my mouth shut. I am not sure how to explain it without it coming out in a poor loser scenario. My daughter was a Homecoming queen candidate last week and no, she was not the winner. The girl who did win was someone that no one was expecting to win because of her attitude and her daily drama. She said some extremely mean things to my daughter (my daughter pulled her ham string in dance, this girl was jumping up and down, clapping, and saying, "Good, she is hurt. Now she can't try out for basketball cheerleading) and I felt that someone who said things like that should not be rewarded. Well, needless to say, I have had to do much soul-searching in this area and know that I cannot change the outcome nor is it important anymore.

I have unfortunately used the "escapist strategy" for this incident because I do not want a conflict with this girl's mother. Events that took place after the crowning just left me with little desire to congratulate her because I knew it would not be a geninune moment.

So, in light of this, my daughter teaches me the "challenging strategy" for her acceptance of losing and forgiving. My daughter said, " I would rather lose honestly than win dishonestly" and has been given several opportunities to continue to be a class leader. If my daughter can move on, forgive this girl for the comments she made after my daughter's injury, then I have to do the same.

I think we both have learned many lessons from last week and what and who really matters. I will continue to use these strategies as well as cooperative strategies to work through conflicts in my life that need solutions and closure.

Communication Week 4

I was surprised at how my husband perceives my communication. He thinks I am not afraid to do anything when it comes to speaking in public or doing activities in front of people. He wishes he could more like me but is not comfortable doing those things. He gives me a boost of self-confidence that I need some days I need very badly.

I also know that I am too trusting and I need to work on this area. I am a good listener and try to do the right things but in the end I usually get the short end of the stick. I need to set some boundaries for myself and hopefully this will help me to become a more effective listener and communicator. I am definitely a people person but need to work on the trust factor.

My co-worker and my husband rated me about the same. All three of my scores were about the same with the exception of my husband's communication anxiety score.

I hope to find someone who is a good example in all these areas so that I can improve my skills as well.

Communication Week 3

I do find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures. I think the one thing I do is talk to them like I would with any other person who speaks English.  I use more hand gestures and facial expressions at times as well. I make eye contact and greet them every morning and afternoon in the classroom.

I am blessed to have a bi-lingual aide in my room this year and she is able to translate information for me in case there is a question or problem. It has been wonderful and she has taught me simple words and phrases to use with the children as well.

This week, the Platinum Rule, being aware of verbal and non-verbal communications, and translation of information were three strategies that I found extremely useful.

 

References:

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Non-Verbal Communications

I watched an old show that my daughter likes to watch called “Sister Sister” with Tamara and Tia Mowry.  The season I watched was the girls were seniors and getting ready to graduate. I never did watch it when it was on.  The reruns are on the Style channel because the girls have another new show now called “Tia and Tamara.”

What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?

The show comprises of the twins living at home with their parents. They are well- cared for and have a comfortable lifestyle that is reflected in their home.  A tall African-American woman had a big part of this show; she was signing autographs on basketballs and shoes. The girls seemed like they had an excellent relationship with one another and their friends.

What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?

Their facial expressions ranged from happy, nervous, worried, disappointed, mad, and confused. Arms crossed and pouting were also part of the episode.

What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?

I thought that Tia was being recruited to play basketball or that this girl was a family friend and was going to help Tia get on a team.  As it turned out, Tia was up for a job interview for the WNBA and was thinking of foregoing college to work instead. Lisa Leslie of the WNBA was the basketball player in the show.

Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?

I think it depends on the show. Even though this show was a series for several years, it was easy to see that the girls had a great relationship with their parents and with each other. It was different watching it with no sound at first. I wonder if a show with more complications would have been a better one to view.

Competent Communicator

I have a good friend who used to teach kindergarten and when she retired, I was so sad to see her leave the profession. She taught for 33 years and was on the same page as I am about early childhood. I observed her in her classroom many times and was always amazed at how she spoke to her students with a quiet and calming effect. Parents were always so excited when they found out she was going to be their child's teacher.

I really enjoy getting together with her and we are famous for having 3-4 hour power lunches. We just seem to be able to talk about anything and everything. She helps me to expand my thinking when it comes to the classroom, communication, and the foundations of the early childhood.

I take our conversations and turn them into positive effects in the classroom with newsletters, lesson plans, and a warm nurturing environment. I feel truly blessed to call her my friend.

Professional Hopes and Goals

I have appreciated this class so much as it has taught me to listen, learn, and discover who I really am.

My hope is that I really take the time to learn about my children and families this year in the preschool program. I am going to make an effort to make sure that my communication with my families is applicable for all.

My goal for early childhood is that all children will be welcomed and accepted with their peers and that we can create learning opportunties for acceptance and that they have a place in our program and society.

I have enjoyed sharing thoughts with each and every one of you and have learned so much about how we all continue to take pride in our profession. Each one of you has made lasting contributions to our online classroom. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you all in the next class!