Farewell and Best Wishes to All

It has been a challenging but rewarding learning experience here a Walden University. I have learned so much that has been beneficial for me and the children and families that I work with; as I pursue the Master Degree here at the University. Being part of a community family circle throughout each course has been wonderful and helpful to me. Not only did I have the opportunity to gain vital information from the course books, professor’s feedback, learning materials (video segments, reading articles), but from each and every colleagues through discussions and blogs I participated in. It has been a little over a year since I have enrolled in Walden University and I would like to personally thank all professors and colleagues for been a positive influences in my life and my educational journey. I believe learning is a long life process, in which a person can gain more knowledge, new skills wisdom and the understanding the about the early childhood field.

 

            I would like to say a special thanks for all the support, knowledge that was shared and positive feedback for all my colleagues and instructors from the foundation of early childhood course up until now, as I take this communicating and collaborating course. I am sending out best wishes to all because once this part of educational journey may be ending (the present class) we are still adventuring to other course where we will work hard, share valuable information and meet other colleagues that will impact our life. Thanks a million and for who wishes to stay in contact you may do so using this same blog address. I wish everyone a successful, peaceful, knowledgeable and wonderful learning experiences.

Adjourning Phase

While pursuing my education the high performing group is the hardest to say good-bye. Not only have we invested time and knowledge within the group, by sharing our ideas, goals, thoughts and input about what is best for the children we serve, but we have develop a trusting and respectful relationship during the process of coming together on one accord.  At the end of a semester or class it is good to encourage, thank and support each team member of their wisdom and knowledge they shared throughout the course. Also I like to state how I look forward to upcoming class where we can continue to collaborate on one accord as we shared our knowledge about the early childhood field. Another important thing is to encourage my colleagues to keep up the good work as they move toward the common goal of obtaining a Master Degree in the early childhood field. As I approach the end of each group project I keep in mind we are more than colleagues but we are a circle of community here at Walden University who is willing to share our knowledge, experiences and thoughts/ideas as we complete each class on how to provide quality education for young children. It is important that my fellow colleagues have the opportunity to stay in touch throughout our educational journey even though we adjourn the current class.  Adudi (2010) it is likely that any group that reached Stage 4: Performing will keep in touch with each other as they have become a very close knit group and there will be sadness at separating and moving on to other projects independently.

Reference:

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from

            Projectsmart.co.uk/ the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

The Experience of Disagreements and Conflicts

The most recently conflict I had experienced was on my job just before going on a two week vacation. After putting in a leave request back in August 2014 for three weeks in order to take care of a family matter. The conflict took place right before my vacation was supposed to start in February 2015, when I was deny the full leave request. Not only from one supervisor, but two of them gave me assurance that it will be no problem when the time came for my vacation, because I put the request in well in advance. That was not the case because when the time came for me to take my vacation there is a problem. My supervisor waited up until it was time for me to get off work when she said “I cannot give you three weeks of vacation instead I can only give you two week”. My first response was why? She just looked at me with a sad face for a moment. Then she replied by saying “I don’t believe people take more than 2 week vacation and because of the time of the year it was. Which I feel was not a solid reason for denying my full vacation. All I know it was not fair to me, because what does it matter what time of the year it was and I have been working at this job long enough to witness other colleagues taking off for a month for a vacation. I even reminded her of the verbal agreement that was giving to me by her and the other supervisor. Her reply was I understand that but I did not realize I put in for three weeks.

In frustration all I could really say was “this is not fair to me at all”. My supervisor only response was I am sorry. Just as I finished my conversation with the supervisor one of my colleagues said aloud to her “I need two days of the week of February 9^th”; which was the week I supposed to be on vacation. Not only was my colleague’s leave request granted, but another colleagues who just got back from a six week vacation was granted the other three days in that week. Of course, I was hurt and felt what my supervisor did to me was not right. After telling my supervisor how wrong I felt it was to take a week of vacation away from me in an angry way. I apologize the next day. Of course, she accept my apology, but I came up with the short end of the stick.

I believe if this vacation was not important to me, I would have not got angry but it would have been easier for me to accept her decision. After waiting to deny my vacation just two before it was supposed to start is not right. There was no type of reasoning or trying to compromise the situation. I believe the supervisor should have told me weeks ago about her decision, discuss a different plan with me instead of granting the days I ask for to other colleagues or suggested to give me other available days to make up the week she took from me.

I believe if things are not probably dealt with in a timely manner then it is impossible to resolve any disagreement or conflict between the two parties. Providing a quick answer or using escapist strategies is not always the better way. The principles of NVC might positively impact communication in ways that provides opportunity where people can come together on one accord or in unity. Just to sit down together, discussing the issue at hand and coming up with a realistic solution that would have beneficial for all parties can be good. The two strategies I would like to share is not to come to resolve a conflict without using a solutions that is beneficial for everyone.  In other words it is important to solve conflicts with using a cooperative strategies. Also it is important to address the matter with the truth and not give any reason or opinion. In other words by using the conflict management strategies allows all parties to address disagreements professionally and sensibly as possible.   

Reference:

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: Am introduction. New York:

            Bed ford/St. Martin’s

Self- Concept: “Perceiving the Self and Others”

I believe evaluating myself will be different in the way someone else would evaluate me. I have the tendency to evaluate myself harder than others would do. I had always thought the worse first before I could see the positive.  For example: I remember when I had to speak at a church function and while walking up to the podium all I could focus only on was how nervous, tense and uncomfortable I felt. After I finished speaking I begin to question myself on whether or not did I say the right things or was the words clear for people to understand. My thoughts so strong within me about whether I communicated well to other or not, it became a torment to me. I just accept the fact I was not competent in the way I communicated to others and the message was not good. Until people in the church started coming up to me and saying, “how they enjoyed the message and it was personally for them”. Of course I begin to thank God for his word and for using me. Over the years I have got better in controlling my nerves and negatively questioning or tormenting myself.  The similarities I have as a communicator would be being a good listener when someone is talking and having good eye contact as I am attentive to what the speaker is saying. 

One thing that surprised me the most about the way people said I spoke. Not only did they say I spoke with authority and accurate, but they said they did not see any nervousness at all. It was amazing to me because I know how I felt and could not remember anything between the beginning and ending of the message during my speaking engagement. “Our thoughts and cognitions influence how and what we communicate to others and at the same time influence the way that we interpret the behaviors and messages that others send to us." (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009, p. 38)

The insights about communication I have gained from this week reading was learning about the three influences that helps us with our ability to use our cognitive skills and become a more competent communicator. The three influences to be a competent communicator are: Self-concept, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Having all three of these attribute when effectively communicating with others gives us the confident we need to get the right words across without questioning our ability as a competent communicator. O’Hair &Wiemann (2012) talks about self-concept has incredible power to shape ones communication with others, especially when one’s strengths or weakness is taking into consideration. Self-concept, self-esteem and self-efficacy can enhance my ability to become a competent communicator in my professional work and personal life. Not only will I  learn how to relate with others in a positive relationship, but will provide me the opportunity to communicate with both adults,  children and families in the early childhood field.

Reference:

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: Am introduction. New York:

            Bed ford/St. Martin’s