BEST WISHES!

It’s hard to believe that we have come to the end of not only this amazing course on the vital components of communication, but also our masters study of early childhood development and education. Several times over the past year, I have wished that I began this journey sooner…I couldn't help but wonder how much more effective I could have been in my personal and professional life if I had had these “tools” in my belt along the way. 

Today as I reflect, I am reassured and believe that everything in my life happens at just the right time. In the past eight weeks, I lost both my collegiate track coach and my father who each blessed this world with their presence. Coach McGuire and my father were both extremely influential in my life and taught me the importance of compassion and perseverance. They were both educators and were “over the top” proud of the fact that I was earning my masters degree. I know that they are smiling down on me and will be the wind at my back as I begin my course study on the emphasis of teaching adults. 

Thank you to all my colleagues who have given supportive and thought provoking feedback during this course. Together, we can and will make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Let’s do this!!!

Take good care,

Chris

The "Adjourning" Stage of Team Building

Many, though not all groups eventually adjourn (O’Hair and Wiemann, 2012). During the adjourning stage, team members often share with each other successes as well as what could have been improved upon. When cohesion is achieved, friendships that were established may last a lifetime. 

In my experience as a summer camp director, the adjourning stage of our team building was bitter sweet. As everyone who works with children knows, 10-12 hours days can be both exhilarating and exhausting. As a team, our 15 counselors (plus a support staff) did an outstanding job of making sure that the 200 children in attendance had a “blast” at camp. They were confident, and fully engaged while making sure the campers were safe and involved in fun and exploration every day. New friendships were made and sunburns were kept to a minimum! 

Because the counselors were such a cohesive group, I asked them if they would enjoy an overnight beach trip the weekend after our camp ended. They all seemed very excited and we began planning our adult adventure! We swam, boogie boarded, hiked and did a lot of laughing and relaxing for two wonderful days. Around the campfire, the counselors shared their favorite stories of experiences with the children. I was so excited when they began asking me if they could possibly work again the following summer. I didn’t take for granted that my sister had referred these college students to me from the recreation department at her university. They obviously had a passion for FUN and I definitely wanted them to come back. 

Although the following year was not exactly the same, the new team returned to the “forming” stage where they got to know one another and share their strengths, began working together as they competed for status and acceptance, gained cohesion as a group, and successfully reached their goals (Abudi, 2010). Adjourning with another camping trip was “icing on the cake” because celebrating is half the fun!

I believe that adjournment is a vey important aspect of closure. Team members need to know that they were valued and respected. It is my hope that I meet several of my colleagues from Walden University at graduation. I didn’t walk 30 years ago when I received my bachelors, so I am definitely going to participate in this program’s adjournment. I hope will join me!

References

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

O’Hair, D. & Wiemann, M. (2012) Real communication, An introduction, Bedford/St.Martin’s:Boston, MA.

Conflict Resolution

I have been blessed with an amazing staff at my preschool and childcare. They are extremely reliable, loving, creative and empathetic with the children. However, we all know that conflict is inevitable and I recently benefited from practicing the productive conflict skills we have been studying with one of my employees. Unfortunately, Luisa’s oldest son was incarcerated two months ago and her heart is literally breaking with concern for Alonzo. When Luisa arrived at work one day this week, she told me that Alonzo was going to court later that morning. She explained that she had tried to find coverage for her shift, but was unable to at the last minute. I asked Luisa if she was going to be OK and she assured me she would be fine, and that Alonzo would call her after his hearing. Two hours later, I had six children buckled into the van and ready to go for a hike in a local regional park. As I was pulling out of our driveway, Luisa ran outside and told me that her brother had just called and she needed to rush downtown to the courthouse and talk to the judge. I told her that it was unsafe for me to care for eleven children by myself, but she insisted on leaving and told me that Susy, another employee would be there in twenty minutes. I ended up putting three infants in highchairs and eight preschoolers around the table to paint until Susy arrived. When Luisa returned ninety minutes later, I told her that we needed to talk. In a supportive climate, I gave each of us a chance to honestly and considerately explore the issues involved in our situation (O’Hair and Wimann, 2012). First I told Luisa what a wonderful employee she is and explained how sorry I was that she was going through this difficult time. I asked her if she wanted to talk, but she just kept telling me that she was sorry. Then I tried out the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). I tried to recognize and clearly express what I felt, needed, and wanted, instead of criticizing or judging Luisa, relying on my compassion to help me through the conflict resolution (http://www.cnvc.org/). I explained that I could have helped her find coverage and I would have even called a few parents and asked them to bring their children later (something I have never done before) if need be. I also expressed the fact that we have built an amazing preschool together and that I was scared because if there had been an accident or incident that morning, we could have lost everything that we worked so hard to create for the children. I told Luisa that it would be very helpful if she honestly expressed her feelings and needs as well so that we could move forward with confidence. The three R’s including respectful, responsive, and reciprocal interactions could have also helped with this conflict resolution. When we build relationships with respect, we can easily give and receive. Luisa and I ended up having a wonderful conversation and I feel sure that our relationship has been strengthened by this conflict that was managed effectively.

References

O’Hair, D. & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication; An introduction: Bedford/

St. Martin’s, Boston, MA.

Website: Center for Nonviolent Communication. Retrieved from:

http://www.cnvc.org/