It has been a rewarding and enlightening experience. I want to thank Dr. Hampshire and my colleagues for their expertise, knowledge, and support. I wish you all the best.
Good Luck!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Teamwork: Week Six
One group in which I felt a sense of satisfaction was also one that was difficult to leave. We worked together for five years. As I reflect back on the happenings, I am able to discern “The Five Stages of Team Development” as described by Gina Abudi (2010).
Throughout that period of time, this group of six women became each other’s advocates and supporters in an important work of assisting child care providers. Sometimes, it felt as if we were sisters in a benevolent cause. We became each other’s backer in personal aspects as well as teamwork aspects.
I have sometimes pondered the idea that if there would have been men in our group; would we have become as close as we did? What does anyone think about that?
When it was time for a few of us to move on, we did celebrate, and wished each other well, but there was a sense of sadness despite the well wishes. It has been a few years since the close of that group, but there are three of us who keep in contact amid living in different states. We always say we are going to get together, but because lives seem hectic with work, family, and other commitments, we have thus far faltered. However, we have not given up on having a reunion. I feel that it will happen some day in the not too far future.
Adjourning is essential to defining success or figuring out what could have been better. Either outcome merits celebration because of effort and I believe even amid any ineffectiveness there has to be some positives. My mother always said, “There is always something good in everything that happens”.
Closing rituals I have engaged in and enjoyed the most include dinner with discussions such as Sandra did in Gina Abudi’s (2010) account of one team’s effort. I have been in groups that did not have closure, and they are those that leave me open to wishing there would have been a more operative conclusion. Being able to have a ceremonial finale gives resolution to each participant and opens the door for better things to come.
I imagine that after we have all completed our work at Walden, we will celebrate our success and wish each other well. It would be awesome if we could meet each other in person. Seeing and giving each other a hug would be the icing on the cake.
Reference:
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
Throughout that period of time, this group of six women became each other’s advocates and supporters in an important work of assisting child care providers. Sometimes, it felt as if we were sisters in a benevolent cause. We became each other’s backer in personal aspects as well as teamwork aspects.
I have sometimes pondered the idea that if there would have been men in our group; would we have become as close as we did? What does anyone think about that?
When it was time for a few of us to move on, we did celebrate, and wished each other well, but there was a sense of sadness despite the well wishes. It has been a few years since the close of that group, but there are three of us who keep in contact amid living in different states. We always say we are going to get together, but because lives seem hectic with work, family, and other commitments, we have thus far faltered. However, we have not given up on having a reunion. I feel that it will happen some day in the not too far future.
Adjourning is essential to defining success or figuring out what could have been better. Either outcome merits celebration because of effort and I believe even amid any ineffectiveness there has to be some positives. My mother always said, “There is always something good in everything that happens”.
Closing rituals I have engaged in and enjoyed the most include dinner with discussions such as Sandra did in Gina Abudi’s (2010) account of one team’s effort. I have been in groups that did not have closure, and they are those that leave me open to wishing there would have been a more operative conclusion. Being able to have a ceremonial finale gives resolution to each participant and opens the door for better things to come.
I imagine that after we have all completed our work at Walden, we will celebrate our success and wish each other well. It would be awesome if we could meet each other in person. Seeing and giving each other a hug would be the icing on the cake.
Reference:
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
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Preparing for Resolution: Week 5 Blog Assignment
I have not had any conflicts or disagreements of late. However, I have been contemplating an upcoming meeting with the parents of one of my students. At this meeting, I will be addressing learning issues this particular student is experiencing. This student is in the fifth grade and this is the first time these issues are being addressed.
I am not anticipating that there will be conflict, but just the same, I want to be prepared because there is a possibility the parents will have difficulty hearing that their son is in need of extra help. No parent wants to hear their child faces issues that warrant special services and I truly wish I did not have to deliver the news.
In preparation for this event, I plan to have the needed documentation to support the child’s need for further testing. Along with the documentation I want the parents to understand I have the student’s best interest at heart and I want him to get the help he needs so he can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. More than that, I want to know what they as the parent want for their child. I want them to know that I care and want to work with them to give their child what he needs and to support them in their parental responsibilities. I want to make sure I am respectful of the parents and help them understand their rights and their child’s rights. I want to be responsive to the families’ needs and open the door for the respect and responsiveness to be reciprocal.
How am I going to do that? First, I am going to warmly welcome them. Then I am going to ask them what they love about their child and what they want for him. I will then tell them all the positives I feel their son exhibits. I will say, “I am hoping you can help me.” I will then outline the issues their son is facing. Next, I will outline the plan I have developed, and ask them for their support and if there is any additional things we can do together to help their son. By incorporating school/teacher strategies with parental strategies I hope to create a joint effort and plan where the child will be the beneficiary of being supported in his life by those who care for and want the best for him.
I am not anticipating that there will be conflict, but just the same, I want to be prepared because there is a possibility the parents will have difficulty hearing that their son is in need of extra help. No parent wants to hear their child faces issues that warrant special services and I truly wish I did not have to deliver the news.
In preparation for this event, I plan to have the needed documentation to support the child’s need for further testing. Along with the documentation I want the parents to understand I have the student’s best interest at heart and I want him to get the help he needs so he can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. More than that, I want to know what they as the parent want for their child. I want them to know that I care and want to work with them to give their child what he needs and to support them in their parental responsibilities. I want to make sure I am respectful of the parents and help them understand their rights and their child’s rights. I want to be responsive to the families’ needs and open the door for the respect and responsiveness to be reciprocal.
How am I going to do that? First, I am going to warmly welcome them. Then I am going to ask them what they love about their child and what they want for him. I will then tell them all the positives I feel their son exhibits. I will say, “I am hoping you can help me.” I will then outline the issues their son is facing. Next, I will outline the plan I have developed, and ask them for their support and if there is any additional things we can do together to help their son. By incorporating school/teacher strategies with parental strategies I hope to create a joint effort and plan where the child will be the beneficiary of being supported in his life by those who care for and want the best for him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)