Communication Skills

Using effective communication skills is crucial to relationships and to success at work.(Brinser, 2011) When leading change, it is important to build relationships in order for others to buy-in to your policy.  From my experience, the most important part of communication is truth and reasoning.  In order for others to want to listen and understand, you have to tell them why they need to know what you are presenting.  Once they know why it is important, then they need to know that the information being given is truthful.  Being in the position of Instructional Coach, you are able to determine what you want your teachers to know and present it to them in small and large groups.  I have found that being truthful to my teachers not only helps to build the relationship, but it also gives them the trust in myself to guide them in the right direction.  They do not have a fear of trying it a failing.   So in my opinion, it is important to communicate with truth and with a reason, this will build relationships as well as help others buy-in to what you are presenting. 


Resources
Brinser, L. (2011). Importance of Communication | Why is Communication Important | Interpersonal Ski. Retrieved April 06, 2016, from http://www.stressaffect.com/importance-of-communication.html

Education and Social Media

In the era of social media, our networks are much larger than they have ever been, and we have more ways to communicate with those in them. (Gordhamer, 2010)  I prefer to use Pinterest and Facebook as my platforms for social media. 

Facebook is one of the most powerful social platforms in the world.(Levy, 2013)  Facebook is a great way to circulate information.  This site allow for sharing of documents, videos, pictures, articles and more.  It also allows you to follow groups and to save and file items that you want to revisit.  Facebook is a powerful platform, however many people are still not on Facebook and this could be a downfall of using Facebook.

My other social media platform I would use would be Pinterest.  Pinterest allows you to post documents, videos, pictures, articles, websites and more.  This site also allows you to save what you like and to follow groups, people and ideas.  This platforms also have a filter that allows you to search topics that you want to see.  This is a great social media platform to get information out to others.  It however is very hard to determine what people think about the topic with commenting on Pinterest is allowed, but not used very often.

Social media is very nice to have and allows information to be circulated to a larger audience much faster.  However I feel that the best form of communication is human to human. 

Resources

Gordhamer, S. (2010, February 8). 5 Levels of Effective Communication in the Social Media Age. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://mashable.com/2010/02/08/communication-social-media/#saVX7Np8xmq4


Levy, S. (2013, December 02). How to Choose the Best Social Media Platform for Your Business. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230020

Course Goals

As an educator we want what is best for children  In order to do what is best for children, we learn the best strategies to teach all types of children, we communicate with parents and we learn how to best build relationships with children.  These are all great ways to educate he child and to help them become their best.  One area that I need to grow in as an educator is the outside of the classroom area.  With this class I have a few goals I would like to challenge myself to gain knowledge on during this class. 

My goals are:

1. I would like to become more familiar with educational policies.  I would like to understand how the policies are finalized and the steps needed to create a policy or change a policy.  With the common core, and the new educational policies that have come in to place, I would like to understand them in order to communicate effectively with my students and parents and colleagues. 
2. I would like to gain knowledge on how to begin organizing educational programs for students with dyslexia.   I would like to look at other organizations and determine what is needed in order to establish a program or to extend a program.
3. I would like be able to communicate with parents about the policies and programs state wide.  As an educator, we are asked so many questions that goes along with common core and many questions we are not able to answer because we are not up to date with the policies and procedures when it comes to public education.  As an educator, I would like to be able explain and show my parents why we are incorporating such programs and why this measure is on a report card etc.  Because right now, there are a few areas that as educators, we have expressed a concern and heard nothing back.  With my first goal, I would hope to be able to learn about the policies and procedures and in return use the knowledge to incorporate programs that are best for ALL children. 

I am looking forward to this class.  I cannot wait to learn what more I can do to enrich the lives of children and our future!!!

MOVING ON!!

The holidays have come and gone along with another class.  I am very excited to say that I have completed another course for my specialist in early childhood.  I am looking forward to my upcoming class, Dynamics of Early Childhood Policies and Systems as well as what the rest of this school year has in store for me.  Looking forward to the future!!

Course Reflection

This course has been incredible to say the least.  I have learned so much about myself throughout this course.  In my new position as an instructional coach, knowing yourself is very important.  This class has helped me to do this. 

The course readings were very informational over many topics.  The topics are useful topics that can be applied in my school.  The first topic of microagressions were very interesting.  After learning more about microagressions, it made a lot of since, I was guilty of microagressions even though it was unintentional.

My course topic of Cultural and family dynamics in Adopted children was a great topic.  It was a topic very close to my heart and helped me to learn how to help adopted children and their teachers and parents.  I look forward to being able to make a difference in the lives of many people from the research I gained. 

This course was very informational and fun.  I hope to have many more classes like this.  I would recommend this class to anyone who works with children. 

Interview Process

For my course project, I have been interviewing two women who know and are living with adoption.  This connections that we have built through these interviews is great.  One female I have interviewed I have known for many years as I taught her oldest adopted child.  The interview process has allowed our relationship to grow and for me to get a glance into her life and the lives of her children.  So far I have learned that boys are so different than girls and that sometimes boys can be more sensitive than girls.  Another interview is with a lady who works with adoption daily.  The calling to be an adoptive parent is a strong calling and those that listen can and will make a difference in the life of a child.  I look forward to discussing more with my interviewees and dgaining more knowledge into their lives and the lives of adopted children into homes of difference race and culture. 

Course Project Topic Discussion

Being in my specialist program, I have a class that requires a course project.  For my course project, I have decided to research family constellations focusing on children who have been adopted.  I have taught many children who have been adopted. I have also been lucky enough to be involved socially with a family that has adopted a child and I have seen him grow into a very bright young man.  Being on the outside looking in, this family dynamic made me curious.  Through my research, I hope to answer many questions that I have and that others may have.  For example, I am curious to see if there is a difference in the way children adopted into homes with a different race or culture than those students who are adopted into homes of their own culture relate to their families.  I am also interested in seeing if there is a correlation with gender and race that are adopted.  Another question I will strive to answer is as follows: Are parents supported through the community on how to help their adopted children cope with difficult issues that arise due to their adoption?  These are just a few of the questions I have at the moment, but check back soon to see others that I may have and what my findings maybe.  Also, please let me know if there are any questions you think I should consider.  Thank you for reading and come back soon!!!!