Fond Farewell

The past several months have been quite a journey.  I cannot believe that we are nearing the end of completing our Master's!  Each of you has contributed to my personal growth, causing me to look inside and reflect on my practices and beliefs about working with children, families, and communities.  I appreciate the amount of encouragement that you have given as well. Each of the professors have contributed to my growth as well, and have boosted my confidence levels.  I appreciate all the support that has come my way from you all.  I wish you success and joy as you continue your journey.  I hope that our paths may cross again.  Should you wish to remain in contact, I can be reached at Kristi.Hargis@waldenu.edu

Blessings to you!

Kristi

Adjourning

Some of the groups I have been part of over the years have caused me great relief when I have adjourned!  Those were the groups where the team didn’t ever reach a cohesive state.  I would guess we all have been part of those groups.

One of the groups that was perhaps the hardest to adjourn from was the team that I taught with in China.  When we went, we went through all the stages that we identified this week.  After we all got to know each other and the intent of going to teach English while building relationships with the Chinese, we were able to be a cohesive group of teachers.  We experienced a special meal before we left China, attended by university officials, where we were each given mementos.  The staff shared how grateful they were for our work there.  As a closing ritual for the mission team, we had a “debriefing” meeting privately before we came back to the states, and shared all the incredible things that had taken place in our lives, as we each had personal transformations occur. 

I cannot believe how fast the last year has gone by.  I imagine that the contacts I have made with my colleagues will continue.  I have grown from each of your wisdom and support! 

Adjourning is an essential part of teamwork because it brings closure to the group and is sort of a wrap up phase to the group.

Confilct in Communication

At the beginning of our school year, we have what is called “phase in days.”  Students come to school in small groups for the first couple of weeks to get used to the schedule and we do screenings.  Always before the students have attended until 1:00, the normal dismissal time.  This year, however, one of the teachers decided to check on getting it changed until 11:30.  I personally liked the 1:00 time as students got to experience the full day including lunch in the cafeteria.  It was not until we were eating lunch out that one teacher said she had spoken to our Pre-K supervisor and the state consultant and had gotten the time changed until 11:30.  I was furious.  I did not say anything.  I decided best not to speak my mind. 

When we got back to my campus, I told my two fellow teachers that I was not a big fan of this change.  One of the teachers said they could tell by looking at my face.  I asked why we were not consulted on this. 

I think that I could have used reciprocation.  I could have looked at this with the knowledge that the teacher who suggested it has been doing this a long time and that she knew from experience this would be best.  In retrospect, it turned out great.  I have a very young group of children this year who were extremely immature at the beginning of school, and this really worked best for them.  I tend to be an escapist when it comes to conflict, so I was not going to say much even though I felt like it.  I also feel like I could have struck a compromise with the teacher and the supervisor.  I also could have shown her respect, knowing that she has the best interest of the children at heart.

Week 4 Who am I?

This was quite an interesting assignment this week.  I had a co-worker and my husband complete the assessments to rate me.  There were similarities, but there were some differences that I was a bit surprised at. 

The Communication Anxiety Inventory (Rubin, Palmgreen, & Sypher, 2009) completed by my co-worker showed that I was in the low level of anxiety when communicating.  I was surprised at this result.  Both my husband and I rated my communication anxiety in the moderate level, with only two points separating our score.  I was further surprised by the Verbal Aggressiveness Scale (Rubin, Palmgreen, & Sypher, 2009).  I do not perceive myself as exhibiting any sort of aggression in most communication and situations.  I feel that I am generally easy going and avoid aggressive behaviors.  My score was in the moderate level (score was 62) indicating that I strike balance with communication from other speakers.  My husband rated me in the significant category (with a score of 70).  My co-worker also rated me in this category (with a score of 69). 

Being verbally aggressive is not a quality that I want to be associated with, but apparently I must sometimes cross the line and get argumentative or hurtful.  When communicating with others, I need to remember that everyone has an opinion and it may differ from mine.  I need to use wait time before I respond.  In working with children and families, I need to remember that they want what is best for their child and I need to see their point of view before being snappy or judgmental. 

Rubin, R. B., Palmgreen, P., & Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge.