When I
think about the adjourning stage I think about my grade level team during my
first year as a teacher. This group was the hardest to say good-bye because of
the trust and partnership we had built with one another. Even though I was a
new teacher, all my thoughts and ideas were respected to the point they made me
feel very comfortable in taking risks and my general position as a teacher
standing on my own two feet. Comparing
this group with the grade level I left last year, I definitely consider the
high-performing groups to be the hardest to leave. I was pretty much jumping
for joy when I knew my final days were near with my last team.
Abudi (2010) mentioned that the
adjourning stage is a time to celebrate success and evaluate what happened. This
is the type of experience I had when I left the school my first year. The team
helped me pack up all my belongings, took me to lunch, and even complied a
small book of all the projects we took pictures of that year. This was a very
hard group to leave because we had become so close and worked incredibly well
together. Abudi (2010) even states that high performing groups tend to stay in
touch, which had continued to be the case with this group.
Adjourning from my colleagues from
this program will also be a hard process, because many of us have been in the
same sections since course one and have developed great partnerships. I think
the adjourning process for this course will be filled with an opportunity to
reflect on the successes and challenges with each other. This is an essential
part because it gives the opportunity to say good-bye to each other and wish
those luck in future experiences. It is a time to reflect on the successes and
learning from the struggles for future encounters.
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
Dear Jo Ann,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post. I am glad that you felt very comfortable in taking risks your first year of teaching because some work environments, will limit the risks people take. I believe that I person will never learn unless they take risks. I hope your experience with grade level team will continue to remind you of your accomplishments and failures, so it can continue to help you grow in your profession.
Hi, Jo!
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult to say goodbye especially when we have formed relationships and bonds with the group. I too found it very hard to resign from a job that I loved. I cried a lot then.
Jo,
ReplyDeleteI think what make adjourning difficult at times is the close relationship we often build with group members who worked well with us. I always get emotional when our children graduate from our program. It can be difficult to let go off the close relationships one develop through the years with children and their families. I have come to accept that adjourning is just a stage of life, and it can be hard at first, but we have to move on. I hope you keep your blog after this program is over. I love reading it.
Nar
Jo, you know we felt the same about our groups. I felt the same way when I had to leave pre-k for the new position that I was offered. I had been there for 4 years this school term would have been the 5th and I was offered a better job. I had become attached to pre-k and had decided to make it my permanat home, an dI though that would be the way it all worked out. I was in a position where I wanted to be lead teacher and had to take the GACE to get that position. I took it the passing score is 220 and I made a 216.So I was preparing to go back and re-take it and the job offer fell into my lap. I am not in the classroom, but I am still a part of pre-k becasue I work with the SDD(special ed.)to help those students that are not tracking on time. So although It was hard for me to leave the team I am able to still be a part in a way.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn:
ReplyDeleteI also had the experience of “jumping for joy” after I completed a group assignment in my undergraduate studies. I think I was the first one out of the door! This week readings have really helped me appreciate how I can refocus my thoughts and actions to establish group cooperation and collaboration more effectively within a group. What did you learn from this week’s resources that could have helped you collaborate more effectively in the situation you mentioned above?
JoAnn,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you had a good first year teaching experience. I think we lose many great teacher in our profession, because they unfortunately have the experience of your second year, first. Hopefully with your new knowledge about effective communication you can have more years like your first one.
JoAnn,
ReplyDeleteI liked your post, and I agree that positive and negative experiences do effect peoples professions. A lot of teachers receive no support, or help and it feels like they are sinking without hope. I feel like when we go to work and leave home life at home and give it a our honest effort, then speaking to others and being helpful and nice will be a daily habit instead of a seasonal choice.