Not Goodbye, But See You Later!

As we reach the end of our communication course, I would like to thank my colleagues, Dr. Darragh, and my team members, for helping me along this journey, and providing resources, and insight on how to communicate effectively to provide positive outcomes.

 I began this course with some experiences being a part of conferences, small groups and large groups. I leave this course with knowledge about the true meaning of communication, and why it is so important. I leave with knowledge about strategies and skills used in communicating, but most importantly I leave this course with the confidence in knowing, who I am as a communicator!

I wish everyone the best of luck in continuing our education journey, “this is not goodbye, but see you later”!

 

 

 

 

Five Stages of Team Development

 

 

I have the opportunity to sit in many informative groups that were productive into finding solutions. I was asked to facilitate one of the small groups at a past conference, which focused on “Team building”. What made this conference so interesting and informative, is the way each individual had the opportunity to share their stories, or experiences within their work place.

Another great experience of this workshop, and having the opportunity to facilitate, was the experience of meeting other teaching professional from across the state, being able to sit and talk with each of them on  more personal level, making new friends, and exchanging emails, and phone numbers, so that we will always have a support team near and far!

In the article; The Five Stages of Team Development, The first stage called, “forming” teaches everyone that stating a clear goal during the introduction process, helps each member understand their roles within the group.

Stage three of the development process is known as; “Norming”, this is the stage where the individual’s within the group began working together effectively, they began to move past the expectations, and goals, and began working on the steps towards improvement. This is the stage my group left off at. Although we spent 8 hours learning about each other, sharing ideas, and brain storming, we left our final project/goal incomplete due to lack of time.

This has to be the hardest group I have had to say goodbye to!

 

Reference:

Article: Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Non Violent Communication and Conflict Management

I am usually an individual that will avoid conflict at all possible. However, I am a human being that has opinions, feelings, and suggestions. I recently had a small conflict with a colleague, who felt as though a child within our class should receive behavior management at the age of one. She also discussed mentioning to the family, how aggressive the child can be.

There are two problems with this situation, the first; my colleague has been there less than three months, and secondly, the child’s behavior is typical at this age. I have worked with this child’s family for over five years, with their other children, and I also know that there are steps that have to be taken when “confronting”, or communicating with this particular child and family.

During a team meeting, I refrained myself from lashing out, and communicating inappropriately, instead I practiced my active listening skills, respected everyone’s’ opinions and suggestions by waiting patiently for everyone to have a turn to speak.

When I had a time to speak, I suggested giving this child a little more time before we jump to conclusions about suggesting the child has “aggressive behavior”, I felt as if we should continue classroom observations, and practice age appropriate strategies, that will facilitate this child’s engagement with the materials in the classroom, this in turn may refrain from hitting, or biting, and allow the child the opportunity to explore her environment in a positive way.

The end result was a mutual decision to follow my suggestions, as well as my colleague’s suggestion of giving the family the heads up, of areas in which we may see concern.