Communication and Collaboration

Throughout this master's program, I have felt a sense of collaboration and effective communication.  It first began with our professors, the leaders.  Everyone has been welcoming, respectful, understanding, and has taken a great deal of effort in helping to build trust among all colleagues.  The discussion boards have had a focus or goal where each one of us has contributed suggestions, knowledge, and comments that have made us more knowledgeable in the early childhood profession. 

Being open-minded and willing to learn new things will indeed make us stronger individuals in our own personal lives and professional careers.  At times, and especially with certain individuals, all of the information learned about putting our biases aside, effective communication, and collaboration can be difficult.  However, taking this course has moved me forward and helped me to become an effective communicator and collaborator with children, families, colleagues, the community, and my own family and friends.

I wish you all the best in your specilization and career path.

Amanda

Adjourning

When high performing groups depart, good-byes may be difficult.  There is a lot of time and effort put into developing high quality groups.  Trust is built, respect is communicated, and goals and visions are met through team work.  Friendships are also most likely to form as groups interact with one another for an extended period of time. 

Two years ago, I was a mentor for our agency, which received a grant to hire 2 mentors for the program.  I left my lead teacher position, briefly, to take on the position and returned to the classroom at the end of last year.  The other mentor teacher was also a lead teacher, but one that I have never worked with.  Our relationship built over time and we were responsible for 10 teachers each to mentor, trainings, ordering resources, etc.  At the end of the program it was difficult to leave the teachers, with who you really got to know and built a relationship, and also the other mentor.  We were able to put together an end of the year mentor celebration which was a wonderful time to eat, share what was beneficial from the program, and if the program were to return, what teachers would like to see happen.  It was a nice closure to a 1 1/2 year program.

Since this is an online program, I feel a connection as far as professional development is concerned.  Because of the lack of face-to-face interactions, I feel that friendships have not been developed like would have if it were a class where we met.  I certainly am going to miss the discussions.  I have learned so much from everyone's background and their knowledge.  It is nice to communicate with others that have the same goal and vision.

I believe that adjourning is a time to celebrate all the accomplishments.  It is great to know that, as a team, you are able to work towards a goal and accomplish what you set out to do. 

Conflict Management

A disagreement that my husband and I often argue about is how "rowdy" our boys can be inside the house.  It may seem like a simple, not that big of a deal issue, however, it leads to frustration on my part, confusion on the boys, and who knows what with my husband!  My husband has a high level of tolerance for noise and active play, where I have a much lower tolerance and tell them to go outside.  My perspective is that they can play without being so loud and rough, I have school work to do, bills to organize, work that at times is brought home, etc. that requires a degree of quietness.  My husband, on the other hand, leaves work at work and does not have the other household responsibilities (besides helping with cleaning and the kids, which I greatly appreciate, but those don't require quietness!). 

I believe that the best strategy, which we have already discussed, would be to negotiate a routine that allows for both rough and rowdy play and also a time when that kind of play is finished for the night.  I listened to the boys and him when they talked about being at school all day and work, especially since my oldest son is diagnosed with ADHD and I truly believe my husband has it too!!!!  LOL  We have put into place a win-win situation where if I have work to finish, I may stay at work 1/2 hour later and complete it there rather than bringing it home.  Honestly, I loved that idea, it is nice to not have to worry about work at family time.  We also keep the TV off, not even as background noise, until 7pm, which is when everyone gets ready for bed and settles in with TV or electronics until bed.  After the kids are settled, I am them able to start the house responsibilities with little distractions. 

This certainly has decreased the frustration and confusion for all.  I would like to ask colleagues, however, what do you do when the other person is not willing to put into place the communication/conflict resolution strategies?  I believe that both sides need to be flexible, open, and willing to give, but we all have met people that are truly "stuck in their ways" and will not budge.  Then what?  Do you just give in?  Ignore them and choose not to communicate with them as much as possible?  Since taking these courses, I truly have been observing people and find myself getting frustrated with those in my family that are so set in their ways and no matter how much you use questioning, try for them to see other sides, or for them to accept true facts, they don't budge.  HELP!!!!!!  Not that I lose sleep over it, but it does get annoying at times.