Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Week 8 Already?


To All My Wonderful Colleagues and Professor,

I just want to that you guys for being so supportive.  As I sit here thinking about this course, I feel as though you were a great group to collaborate with because I felt like such a part.  I feel honored!  Dr. Thomason thanks for your guidance and supportive comments.  I enjoyed your scripture thoughts! Thanks! To all my cohorts, I am always just an email away (yolondahonore40@yahoo.com ). 

Sunday, April 14, 2013

The Final Stage of Team Development --Adjourning!


     I am experiencing the adjourning phase right now.  I have worked at the same school for 18 years.  The administration and teachers have come and gone but for the most part, I have really enjoyed my experience at this school. I can say that I have really been supported by a particular group of teachers at this school.  I have seen weddings, and births, and experienced death among the staff. This year I requested and received a transfer to another school because I want to meet new teachers and glean from them.   One experience that sticks out the most with me is when our group member passed.  It was heartbreaking because we were not able to say goodbye.  We knew she was ill but not unto death.  One day she came to school, the next day she was dead.  Nothing could prepare us for that.  We had just completed the behavior part of the School Improvement Plan.  She was a worker dedicated to taking up the slack for those who did not work in our group.  Our group members were allowed to leave school and attend her funeral service that was our goodbye. I wished I realized how sick she really was.  From that experience, I am more cordial and interested in my coworkers.  Our group was not high functioning but we made the best of it by pooling our resources together to complete the job.   I think adjourning is important because it closes the gap of completion. 
     For my Walden University family, I have a bitter sweet feeling about graduation.  I desperately want to graduate but I will miss the support from my colleagues.  This group really helped me work my butt off.  I felt like I could not be satisfied with displaying mediocre work, I had to give my best because we were/are learning from each other. Here it is important what you bring to the table.  I hope that I am able to attend the graduation ceremony—I will make my best effort to be there.  I want to meet each and everyone that I have shared this experience with. 

 

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management


Statewide testing… Value added scores…lesson plans…. Weekly highlights… testing meetings… kids at nursery before 6:45…family in town for 2 weeks…. Housework… setter late again…are just a few of the things I am dealing with this week.  My housemate’s job is to help me with the kids.  She wants to choose chores that are convenient to her schedule...no sacrifices! WTH kind of assistance is she lending me?  I give her a reduced room and board in exchange for her services.  I feel like she is not living up to her end of the bargain.   Sick and tired that’s what I am. Do you see a conflict? I surely do.  I am getting the short end of the stick.  What am I to do? What have I decided to do to end this conflict? First and foremost I have decided to communicate my feelings to her and allow her to air her grievances.  I am not going to attack her but I will address my concerns that involve her.  I will not get into a shouting match because no one listens when this happens.  I will use some nonviolent communication skills for this situation. I will pay special attention when exhibiting 2 of the 4 components on NVC (http://www.cnvc.org/Training/the-nvc-model).  I will listen empathetically and I will honestly express my feeling.  I will address the issue today because it has festered long enough. 

Reference
http://www.cnvc.org/Training/the-nvc-model