Throughout this graduate program, there have been many times that I have learned something completely unrelated to the course topic from the colleagues that have shared their personal and professional experiences. We all come from such diverse backgrounds and the work we do, while we are all in the field of early childhood, is also so unique. I have enjoyed reading and learning about policies and processes within various arenas of the field, as well as different parts of the country. I find it fascinating that we live in this same country, but each state and region have such differing opinions and practices when it comes to early childhood education.
There have been numerous times that I have felt more supported than supportive. The strong women and men that I have encountered along the way have shown me the value of pursuing this higher education. We have had difficult discussions and humorous ones too. As we move on to our different specializations, I truly wish for each of my colleagues success, personal and professional growth, and that they remember the value in doing the work of this graduate program. We are the future of early childhood in America. It will continue to change, for the better or the worse, whether we like it or not. We all have the capability to make an incredible lasting impact on this field and the children and families we serve. Best of luck to all of you! If you are moving on to the specialization of "Teaching Adults in the Early Childhood Field", I will see you on the discussion boards.
Take care!
Katherine
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Group Dynamics
This week we have been studying the dynamics that groups have and the characteristics that make a cohesive, efficient group. Establishing trust at the beginning of a group project is essential to the success of the team. As a leader in a group, one must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and illicit the strengths that each member has.
In thinking about the groups that I have been a part of, I can begin to see the reasons why some were more successful than others. It has been most difficult to leave the ones into which I had invested some much of my time and myself. Those groups were ones that were lead by exceptional leaders that understood the importance of managing group dynamics and ones that I had lead with some level of success. I can remember being asked to lead a group or taking the reigns of a school and faltering many times before I got it right! It wasn't that it was a high-performing group, or one with well-defined norms. I think it was those where each member felt like they were successful in contributing to the final product or result. It was when we could create a atmosphere of growth for each member through the work that we did.
I think it is important to have some kind of closure to a group or project. They do not need to be elaborate, but they need to mark the end of group's work, highlighting the successes and the obstacles that were overcome. When this master's program is complete, I would hope that we could reflect as a group on our starting point and the growth we've experienced, both personally and professionally, since then. Though we are all from very different places professionally and geographically, we have been on the same journey together and have seen success and challenges along the way. We will continue to grow in these areas and, hopefully remain connected in order to support one another in our future endeavors.
In thinking about the groups that I have been a part of, I can begin to see the reasons why some were more successful than others. It has been most difficult to leave the ones into which I had invested some much of my time and myself. Those groups were ones that were lead by exceptional leaders that understood the importance of managing group dynamics and ones that I had lead with some level of success. I can remember being asked to lead a group or taking the reigns of a school and faltering many times before I got it right! It wasn't that it was a high-performing group, or one with well-defined norms. I think it was those where each member felt like they were successful in contributing to the final product or result. It was when we could create a atmosphere of growth for each member through the work that we did.
I think it is important to have some kind of closure to a group or project. They do not need to be elaborate, but they need to mark the end of group's work, highlighting the successes and the obstacles that were overcome. When this master's program is complete, I would hope that we could reflect as a group on our starting point and the growth we've experienced, both personally and professionally, since then. Though we are all from very different places professionally and geographically, we have been on the same journey together and have seen success and challenges along the way. We will continue to grow in these areas and, hopefully remain connected in order to support one another in our future endeavors.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Conflict
When I think about conflict that I have experienced with colleagues or someone in my personal, I tend to analyze each attempt at communication and all of the verbal and non-verbal exchanges. Recently, I experienced a miscommunication with a friend of mine. We made tentative plans and then they fell through. I communicated that I was fine with the change of plans, but truthfully I was disappointed. We still ended up have a nice time together, but it evolved into several days of passive aggressive exchanges and overall awkwardness. What I learned through that experience is that I need to be truthful about my feelings in the moment and I need to verbalize them. I also need to let go of the analysis of each and every exchange. I tend to over think the communication and all of the subtle nuances that go along with it. The "R" that I definitely need to work on after reflecting on this particular incident is responsive. When I get frustrated with someone and experience conflict of any kind, I find that I shut down and hope that the other person will facilitate the solution to the problem.
Here is my question for others: In our professional environments, how do we handle the ongoing need to motivate and coach others on the importance of quality and responsive care? Often I find that I feel like I have effectively trained or communicated about a concept only to observe that there may not have been as much comprehension as I had planned.
Here is my question for others: In our professional environments, how do we handle the ongoing need to motivate and coach others on the importance of quality and responsive care? Often I find that I feel like I have effectively trained or communicated about a concept only to observe that there may not have been as much comprehension as I had planned.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)