8 Weeks Of Real Communication

During these eights weeks, I was able to communicate and collaborate with professionals in my field. I was able to express how I felt, and receive feedback that I can use within our profession of
Early Childhood Education.

To have an ACTIVE instructor within the discussions, keeps you on time, and focus was priceless.

When I stated in prior a blog that I did not receive the welcoming support from others, I learned to give more feedback,  and participate with the colleagues.

As we enter into our specialization, we  know are studies is coming to an end. Keep focus, and remember we are doing this for the children and families.

 I am so grateful to share this educational journey with you all.

 Thank you for the support and encouragement.


Sincerely,
Brittney Everett
brittney.everett@waldenu.edu

Team Building

This week class assignments had me reflecting on my years and experience as an educator. I had the opportunity to work with children during my undergraduate years and also experience working with ECE professionals on obtaining their credentials in education. When I decided to relocation to Florida to purse my degree, that was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. I had to leave  my immediate family even thought I was going to live with my grandparents. Also, the program were I was working at the time, it was very difficult for me to tell the student's Ms. Brittney isn't coming back  to the school.  The director of the program sent a letter to the parents informing them I was relocating to purse my degree in education. On my "last day of school" the parents and students had care packages, food, cake( I love cake) and farewell wishes . I was overwhelmed with joy, and love.

Another experience that was difficult for me was when I resigned from my Pre K position. I did not tell my director until the school year was over. The parents weren't informed that I resigned until school started because I did not want to be the cause of the students not coming to the Pre K class because Ms. Brittney was no longer there. The owner and the teachers just said goodbye not even best wishes or best of luck. I didn't expect that from this group of colleagues because we did not have the trust, fun, loving relationship. I was happy to leave the colleagues but sad of not being able to see the children.

As for my experience with my Master's Degree at Walden, I am uncertain how I will adjourn from this program. I feel I did not receive the support that colleagues speak about. I tend to keep to myself and after I completed my courses, its a goodbye, best wishes through the blogs then prepare for your next course the upcoming Monday. If this Master's program were face to face classes, I believe my relationships with colleagues will be different and I would not be shy(which is funny because I am totally not shy).  I want the best for my colleagues and myself to succeed and make the difference in the education field. I will be optimistic and maybe I will make that connection with a colleague.

Nonviolent Communication

Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?

 This assignment is very interesting because of the various strategies of  communication. I feel I am always experiencing conflicts with a colleague. The colleague had to training due to the fact this is in the professional work environment. If I were to have an suggestions, or other colleagues would like for me to participate with meetings, this particular colleague does all to block me from attending. So, what do to in this situation since the colleague is your supervisor? Magda Geber developed the 3 R's : "respectful, reciprocal, and responsive.  I always respectful to all colleagues even in times where colleagues questioned my credentials but my peers credentials was not in question. I demonstrate the positive relationships but at times I am not sure which responsive I will receive. 

I feel I am applying the 3 R's to this situation. Mostly, I feel it is professional jealousy. When you have individuals who are not open to others such as different genders, cultures, races, and suggestions for new ideas this makes the work place difficult. I don't foresee this situation getting any better.  I can apply all of the 3's and site other sources to seek assistance but at the end of the day, it is up to this individual if they what to change in their personal and professional life.  

Resource:
The Center for Nonviolent Communication  retrieved from (http://www.cnvc.org/) 

Who Am I as a Communicator?

The assignment for this week is for someone to evaluate myself as a communicator. I had my team leader and sister evaluate me. The similarities were I am a people's person, I love to talk, and I listen to people. The differences from my evaluate to theirs were get to the facts of when public speaking.  When I communicate, I can be long winded in speaking- another words get to the point without taking so long.
My sister viewed my communication "situational" but she also does not observe me communicating in the work place. My team leader evaluation was similar to my result due to the fact we are together 8 + more hrs everyday and weekends for additional work assignments.
As a public speaker, I would like to focus on how to make the valid points during speaking events without giving long examples  and  to work on speaking. When I get nervous, I  forgot my thoughts when I am speaking in public.
These are the areas I would like to improve in. 

Communication

Think about the cultural diversity you see in your colleagues at school, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, and also, possibly, within your family. Consider all the aspects that make up culture, including race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, varying abilities, and so on.



 Yes, I do find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures because we all come from different walks of life. We can agree to disagree. If a person was born and raised in the same area you might be from then you probably have the same cultural of environment, foods, and music alike but traditions, beliefs, and customs can be different.  The ways I communicate differently is by listening to what the person has to say and then ask questions of why they may think that way, basically playing devil's advocate.














(sorry for the late entry)

 

Communication Skills

The television show that I watched this evening was Ghost Inside My Child on Lifetime Network. This is a show about children having a past life , having detail experiences of events that has taken place prior of them being born. Now, why did I decide to discuss this show for the blog assignment? I chose this show because I wanted to actual watch the children's' experiences of the past life. (wish I could of discuss the Golden Girls but I know all of their episodes). When the show first started I muted the television. Their were two ladies being interviewed/talking. Sometimes they would smile but numerous times their facial expressions were serious. The camera focus on their eyes, and mouth while they( the mothers) were speaking. When the camera did the still shot on their eyes it was more of a serious "I don't know what to do look". At one point, one of the mothers was crying which indicated to me something is wrong with her child. When I turned on the sound, I realize two stories lines are being discussed. A little girl named Olivia who is 5 yrs old and past life was living with Native Americans. The other story was a boy named August who past life was part of a tribe. The mothers of these two children communication demonstrated that they were frighten for their children and had numerous concern of what they were going through.


The television show that I watched this evening was Ghost Inside My Child on Lifetime Network. This is a show about children having a past life , having detail experiences of events that has taken place prior of them being born. Now, why did I decide to discuss this show for the blog assignment? I chose this show because I wanted to actual watch the children's' experiences of the past life. (wish I could of discuss the Golden Girls but I know all of their episodes). When the show first started I muted the television. Their were two ladies being interviewed/talking. Sometimes they would smile but numerous times their facial expressions were serious. The camera focus on their eyes, and mouth while they( the mothers) were speaking. When the camera did the still shot on their eyes it was more of a serious "I don't know what to do look". At one point, one of the mothers was crying which indicated to me something is wrong with her child. When I turned on the sound, I realize two stories lines are being discussed. A little girl named Olivia who is 5 yrs old and past life was living with Native Americans. The other story was a boy named August who past life was part of a tribe. The mothers of these two children communication demonstrated that they were frighten for their children and had numerous concern of what they were going through.

Communicating and Collaborating in the Early Childhood Field

For your blog this week, think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?


The person who demonstrated competent communication and I always model this behavior was my grandfather. My grandfather was a vital role in my childhood/life. My grandfather was able to challenge me to think outside the box and keep my eyes on the prize. My grandfather always put the effort to show me support for all decisions I made even if we were in disagreement. My grandfather demonstrated the three communicators context: the relational context because our relationship history was grandfather/granddaughter.
The situational context was the best because I had the privileged to live with both of my grandparents during my undergraduate years. By having my grandparents providing me guidance , love, and support along with challenging me to continue my studies  and world affairs molded me of who I am today. 
My former professor stated to me in class name three things that make us black but race, hair, and color can not be part of the answer. My grandfather and my professor went back and fourth on this statement with the end result both did not agree with the answer. We are are from NYC, with a diverse family of other races and nationalities. My grandfather cultural identity defined him in society as an educated black American which back in those days was a threat. These behaviors made my grandfather effective because he work hard, received his education, served his country (761st) and enjoyed/provided for his family. 
I model my grandfather communication behaviors by not being bias, receiving all the facts,  and being a good listener. 
I miss him dearly......... 




 

                                                                                                                                                          Continue to rest in peace.........

When I Think of Research

The insights I have gained about research from taking Building Research Competency is to have in depth thinking outside the box. I gained a new profound way of how to create , and conduct the components of the foundation of research.
The ways my ideas about the nature of research changed is in the detailing , code of ethics and equity that is involved in conducting research.  Within the lesson, planning, designing , and conducting research in ECE I learned is the results are for the best interest of the children and the field. As ECE educators we are demonstrating to society we are a respected profession and treat us as professionals not just the average babysitter.  The research that is being conducted for the ECE field  will benefit all especially the children because education starts at birth.
The challenges I encountered were developing my research topic and completing the course.
My perception as an ECE professional have been modified as a result of this course because the research is here but not all know how to obtain the research. As an ECE professional , it is my duty to share the knowledge, experience,  and educational research to other ECE professionals who may not know where and how to start conducting research. This is when the professional learning communities will benefit all ECE professionals to gain the access of networking and learning from other ECE professionals.

Thank you for the feedback during these 8 weeks which have been challenging but the best challenge by far ever.
Thanks to Dr . Myers for challenging my research thoughts.
Best Wishes to All
Brittney Everett

Research Around The World

For this blog assignment, I explored the Early Childhood Australia website.

• What are some of the current international research topics?

The web link I decided to explore is Early Childhood Australia. The current international research topic per ECA are the Pedagogy: Programs and relationships in practice and Professional partnerships in children's services: Working together for children.

•   What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

  The surprising facts/insights new ideas about early childhood I gained from exploring the Early Childhood Australia  is that you can submit to Write Research Practice Series9 the guidelines/criteria is posted under this tab), the Parent Resource- this allows parents to have additional information about health/nutrition, separation anxiety,  and how children transition to school.

• What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

The other noteworthy information I found on this website the Learning Hubs which consist of Educators Resources, and Publications which consist of  Every Child Magazine  , ECA web watch, and ECA Voice Newsletter to name a few. 


Resources:

Early Childhood Australia: Early Childhood Australia Inc (2014)  retrieved from  http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I decided to discuss the following for this blog assignment.

Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?


The topic I woild like to discuss is why it is important for children to receive an early childhood education. ECE is from birth through five. It is important for parents/caregivers to take part in the early childhood education to prepare the children for the mainstream school. When parents are part of the child's education meaning active involvement in school the child academics will demonstrate their scores. 

Also, by having the community involved in birth through five education is beneficial because this is a way to network and provided resources for all in the community such as children and adults. 

When providing resources about birth through five, I would want to inform parents of developmental checklist guide, the yearly visit  to the pediatricians.   Having the children to socialize with other children will assist in the growth process and increasing the child(s) phonological awareness abilities. 

Just to name a few checklist:
3300 form
Bright Future Forms
Caring for Our Children 3rd Edition

Your Personal Research Journey

The topic I would like to see develop is about professional learning for ECE educators. ECE educators already have to meet the requirements of their state or federal rules and regulations in regards about training and teachers' credentials therefore having a annual professional learning plan can assistance with teachers achieving this goal.

With my experience, teachers are not going above and beyond to take the necessary  trainings that is needed for them to be efficient in the classrooms and collegiate courses are too expense to enroll in colleges/technical school etc. When  teachers have the assistance with initiatives and incentives with returning to school to receive  credentials in ECE field, and free trainings in order for teachers to meet their state requirements all who will benefit will be the teachers and most important the children. The children will now receive a quality early childhood education.

Providing resources and referrals for teachers to receive higher credentials and trainings will demonstrate that the early childhood field is also a respected field.   

Building Research Competency

Welcome to my blog for Building Research Competency.

I look forward to the upcoming blog assignments and feedback from my colleagues.