Sunday, February 26, 2012
Note of Thanks
This semester has been very challenging for me due to personal battles I am undergoing. It has been wonderful having classmates and an instructor who have strenghtened me through conversations and postings. I feel that even though I have had issues, I have learned so much in this course. Thanks to all for wonderful discussions. I hope to have you all in the next course. Good luck and God Bless!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Week 6: Team Building and Collaboration
The hardest group I ever had to leave was one of my previous jobs. When I started my student teaching experience I had to give up my position as a Daycare Director. I worked with a group of 8 women and we all had become great friends - it was a family. The respect that we had for each other is one that I have yet to find again.
On my last day, we made it a point to all go out for dinner after work. Little did I know that they had gifts for me also for teaching. This was an opportunity for us to talk about the funny things that happened during my time there and and to talk about the tryng times also.
I think the adjourning process is necessary for a sense of closure. I still keep in touch with most of these women. We get together and talk about what has happened in our lives and things that we are looking forward to. Even the people that made my job difficult I still have contact with, and the adjourning just reminds us that rude remarks and harsh words are just part of the job and that we need to carry on.
On my last day, we made it a point to all go out for dinner after work. Little did I know that they had gifts for me also for teaching. This was an opportunity for us to talk about the funny things that happened during my time there and and to talk about the tryng times also.
I think the adjourning process is necessary for a sense of closure. I still keep in touch with most of these women. We get together and talk about what has happened in our lives and things that we are looking forward to. Even the people that made my job difficult I still have contact with, and the adjourning just reminds us that rude remarks and harsh words are just part of the job and that we need to carry on.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Week 5: Conflict Resolution
Recently I had a conflict with a colleague...actually it was the principal. Her and I did not see eye to eye on the issue at hand. When we met one on one, we were very respectful to each other and things were going good. When the assistant principal joined in, then it was a different story. She was quick to lay blame and was not open to my side of the problem.
I think the best coommunciation technique that would have worked hear was the 3 R's. The principal and I was doing a great job with this; however, the assistant was not willing to be respectful or reciprocal. I therefore, listened to what she had to say but turned my responses to the principal. This allowed me to address questions and concerns of one person. Since the principal was willing to listen to my points, we were able to respond to each other's requests and to solve the problem calmly and rationally.
For this conflict we were able to communicate verbally to each other and also our nonverbal skills played a role. The principal and I were both sitting next to each with our hands in our laps, making eye contact with each other. We listened to each other until that person was finished before we spoke (no interrupting each other). The assistant principal had different nonverbal skills that made it more tense. As I talked she recorded everything onto her IPOD. When she spoke she would point her finger and shake her head. This just made me want to go on the defensive with her.
Since I had to deal with two completely different types of communicators, this was an interesting learning experience for me. I was able to evaluate both pros and cons of effective communication. It also helped me to become more aware of how my body language makes others feel.
I think the best coommunciation technique that would have worked hear was the 3 R's. The principal and I was doing a great job with this; however, the assistant was not willing to be respectful or reciprocal. I therefore, listened to what she had to say but turned my responses to the principal. This allowed me to address questions and concerns of one person. Since the principal was willing to listen to my points, we were able to respond to each other's requests and to solve the problem calmly and rationally.
For this conflict we were able to communicate verbally to each other and also our nonverbal skills played a role. The principal and I were both sitting next to each with our hands in our laps, making eye contact with each other. We listened to each other until that person was finished before we spoke (no interrupting each other). The assistant principal had different nonverbal skills that made it more tense. As I talked she recorded everything onto her IPOD. When she spoke she would point her finger and shake her head. This just made me want to go on the defensive with her.
Since I had to deal with two completely different types of communicators, this was an interesting learning experience for me. I was able to evaluate both pros and cons of effective communication. It also helped me to become more aware of how my body language makes others feel.
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