Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

       Describe in detail the consequences you might expect for the children and families with whom you work while you experience specific "–ism(s)" in your own life. Include specific examples either those you have and/or are experiencing or ones you would anticipate.

My personal experiences should not affect my ability to teach or help others.  "Cognition" usually refers to an information processing view of an individual's psychological functions. My ability to think and react could be distorted when helping families if I allow my personal life to interfere with my ability to teach and help families. I need to focus on the needs of the family.   Emotions can cause a person to react without thinking and an emotion can be taken the wrong way. Children that are not use to what  emotions  are, may be frighten if I break out in tears in the middle of class the children may start crying. If I’m having an emotional day I probably need to stay home not exposing children to my personal life. My emotional stability can cause me to have physical problems that parents will notice and question my ability to teach. My mental and emotional appearance has to be soundly fit. I need to be in position where I can be a help to someone not a threat. I have to be at my best at all times for my own well-being and the well-being of children and families...

“Cognition is the scientific term for "the process of thought." Its usage varies in different ways in accord with different disciplines: For example, in psychology and cognitive science it refers to an information processing view of an individual's psychological functions. Other interpretations of the meaning of cognition link it to the development of concepts.”(Blomberg, 2011)
“Emotion is the generic term for subjective, conscious experience that is characterized primarily by psycho physiological expressions, biological reactions, and mental states. Emotion is often associated and considered reciprocally influential with mood, temperament, personality, disposition, and motivation,^{[citation needed]} as well as influenced by hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenalin, serotonin, oxytocin and cortisol. Emotion is often the driving force behind motivation, positive or negative” (Gaulin, 2003)

“The term quality of life (QOL) references the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of living, which is based primarily on income. Instead, standard indicators of the quality of life include not only wealth and employment, but also the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging.” (Gregory, 2009)

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/quality-of-life#ixzz2KLXqM1Hi

References

Blomberg, O. (2011). Concepts of cognition for cognitive engineering. The international journal of aviation psychology, 21(1), 85-104. doi: 10.1080/10508414.2011.537561

Gaulin, Steven J. C. and Donald H. McBurney. Evolutionary Psychology. Prentice Hall. 2003. ISBN 978-0-13-111529-3, Chapter 6, p 121-142.

Gregory, Derek; Johnston, Ron; Pratt, Geraldine et al., eds. (June 2009). "Quality of Life". Dictionary of Human Geography (5th ed.). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-3287-9.

Affirming Communication—Mindful Listening to and Speaking with Children

My observation.

I went to visit my son today as I do every day because he picks my fourteen year old daughter from school. Today I was off work so after I picked my daughter up and went to my doctor’s appointment I decided that I would make a special trip by there today to observe my grandchildren. Today was a day that Adonis (5) was not feeling well and he stayed home. Amari who’s sixteen months did not go to her child care center either. They were not dressed today for school like they usually are on a school day. I usually go in say hi give them kisses and I leave. Adonis is usually on the computer playing learning game or watching one his favorite shows and Amari is usually watching television. They have great parents that do not allow them to watch anything they’re usually watching educational programs which I adore.

Today I decided to go and do my observation with my grandchildren. Amari is just learning to come up the stairs independently and I didn’t see her come up. My son started talking to her and he said “You came up stairs by yourself?” and Amari babbled something back because she understood what he had said, I could tell by the smile on her face. Amari continued talking and she walked away into her room and started to play with some cups. The cups are part of a learning activity. The cups are different sizes. As she started to put the cups into one another by size I notice she put one in out of order. She looked at the cup she had in her hand (which should have been the next one) and she took the cup out and place the correct one in. I don’t know if she knew it was the wrong cup or if she was just taking a guess. I was pretty amazed at this and I know she is learning. Amari is also learning one sentence words.

Now Adonis came upstairs and jumped in the bed. Let me say both his parents were doing home- work. These children are so well mannered that they sit quietly on their own, don’t touch anything and ask for everything. They are well mannered and Adonis is very respectful. I am so proud of my son and his wife for taking such good care of my grandchildren and teaching them. The conversation I observed was my son and my grandson.

Adonis: “dad the computer is broke” I thought he meant the desktop he was watching downstairs’

Dad:”I know Adonis, it’s been broken.”

Adonis: What happened?

Dad: “It got dropped”

Adonis: Who dropped it?

Dad: “Your mother.”

Adonis: (to his mom) Mommy you broke the computer.

Then his mother said “I know Donnie, I got to fix it.”

Donnie said “oh” Then he got off the bed and went back downstairs to finish enjoying his program.

What I noticed and learned.

I know Adonis if he knew the computer was already broken. Adonis is a very active child and he takes medication to keep him calm during school and he sometime have good and bad days and he is very intelligent. He may have said it because he thought I didn’t know it was broke. I thing he was trying to tell me because he knows his dad is my son and he also know that children are supposed to do what their parents ask then to do, maybe he thought he was telling on his mom who broke the computer. I learned that Adonis was being a five year old child that wanted the truth about the computer to be heard by grandma and he was just being a child.

My connections between what I observed and the effective communication strategies presented in this week’s learning resources.
I related my observation connection to 

 What could have been done to make the communication more affirming and effective?

I would have like to hear Adonis response if his mom would have said that his dad broke the computer.

Share your thoughts with regard to how the communication interactions you observed may have affected the child's feelings and/or any influences it may have had on the child's sense of self-worth.

This is another event when I went to pick my daughter up again today and Adonis was at the computer watching as he always is watching “The Wiggles” This show has many sing-alongs and learning activities.  So he said “grandma come here let me show you something. He has put on the Spanish versions and was singing alone and asked me to sing too I said I don’t know the song. I would listen to the verses and then sing what I thought I heard I was very impressed. He said grandma sit down and watch this with me. There was a scene where we had to scream “wake up Jeff and I said it too fast. Adonis put his hand on me and said grandma you have to wait for them to count I’ll show you.” He said now listen and I waited and I listened and then he said you read, I shook my head and on the count of three we screamed at the same time. I know he loved it because I did too. I try to do a short activity with him and ask him how was school that day and he always tells me if he had a good day or a not so good day. I am learning from him and him from me,

Offer insights on how the adult-child communication you observed this week compares to the ways in which you communicate with the children.

I learned that my grandson has great teachers. I them once when I had to pick Adonis up from school and I my say I was very impressed with the morning welcome. One of the teachers was at the door checking lunch bags and boxes and the other teacher was in the classroom getting the children (kindergartners) ready for the morning curriculum. I feel I did a great job at participating and Adonis was happy I was there; he even sat in the chair with me and held my hand. When I had to leave he didn’t want me to go. I will see him again before the weekend is done and I will engage in another conversation and watch some more of his favorite shows.

What have you learned about yourself this week with respect to how well you talk with and listen to young children?

I learned that even though I’m grandma, I can be a great influence and a great teacher to my grandson too. Even though I’m family according to

In what ways could you improve? I am improving every day in the way I look at children and the way I perceive them. I am grateful to have in close reach children of all ages and whenever I have children come to my place of work with their parents I focus on the child and still do my job.  My job allows me to interact with people of all ages but I pay close attention to the children and have conversations. I could write a million stories but nothing replaces real life experiences.  I can’t think of anything right now, but I will keep doing what I’m doing and that is improving the lives of young children.

“Research highlights the importance of family involvement in children's school success (Epstein, Coates, Saunas, Saunders, & Simon, 1997; Ramey & Ramey, 1999; Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998). Children may be members of homeless families; families headed by a single parent or by gay or lesbian parents; or blended families, adoptive families, foster families, or intergenerational families.” (Arndt, McGuirr-Swartz, & Mary Ellen, 2008) And Grandmothers! “if we are to succeed in closing the achievement gap….we must put our efforts into creating high quality pre-kindergarten programs for the nation’s at-risk children”

 (A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Carolyn Jean Cherry)

 Arndt, Janet S; McGuire-Schwartz, Mary Ellen (2008) Early Childhood School Success: Recognizing Families as Integral Partners. [Abstract] Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/210392507/abstract?accountid=14872

 

Observing Communication

My observation.

I went to visit my son today as I do every day because he picks my fourteen year old daughter from school. Today I was off work so after I picked my daughter up and went to my doctor’s appointment I decided that I would make a special trip by there today to observe my grandchildren. Today was a day that Adonis (5) was not feeling well and he stayed home. Amari who’s sixteen months did not go to her child care center either. They were not dressed today for school like they usually are on a school day. I usually go in say hi give them kisses and I leave. Adonis is usually on the computer playing learning game or watching one his favorite shows and Amari is usually watching television. They have great parents that do not allow them to watch anything they’re usually watching educational programs which I adore.

Today I decided to go and do my observation with my grandchildren. Amari is just learning to come up the stairs independently and I didn’t see her come up. My son started talking to her and he said “You came up stairs by yourself?” and Amari babbled something back because she understood what he had said, I could tell by the smile on her face. Amari continued talking and she walked away into her room and started to play with some cups. The cups are part of a learning activity. The cups are different sizes. As she started to put the cups into one another by size I notice she put one in out of order. She looked at the cup she had in her hand (which should have been the next one) and she took the cup out and place the correct one in. I don’t know if she knew it was the wrong cup or if she was just taking a guess. I was pretty amazed at this and I know she is learning. Amari is also learning one sentence words.

Now Adonis came upstairs and jumped in the bed. Let me say both his parents were doing home- work. These children are so well mannered that they sit quietly on their own, don’t touch anything and ask for everything. They are well mannered and Adonis is very respectful. I am so proud of my son and his wife for taking such good care of my grandchildren and teaching them. The conversation I observed was my son and my grandson.

Adonis: “dad the computer is broke” I thought he meant the desktop he was watching downstairs’

Dad:”I know Adonis, it’s been broken.”

Adonis: What happened?

Dad: “It got dropped”

Adonis: Who dropped it?

Dad: “Your mother.”

Adonis: (to his mom) Mommy you broke the computer.

Then his mother said “I know Donnie, I got to fix it.”

Donnie said “oh” Then he got off the bed and went back downstairs to finish enjoying his program.

What I noticed and learned.

I know Adonis if he knew the computer was already broken. Adonis is a very active child and he takes medication to keep him calm during school and he sometime have good and bad days and he is very intelligent. He may have said it because he thought I didn’t know it was broke. I thing he was trying to tell me because he knows his dad is my son and he also know that children are supposed to do what their parents ask then to do, maybe he thought he was telling on his mom who broke the computer. I learned that Adonis was being a five year old child that wanted the truth about the computer to be heard by grandma and he was just being a child.

My connections between what I observed and the effective communication strategies presented in this week’s learning resources.

I related my observation connection to  

 What could have been done to make the communication more affirming and effective?

I would have like to hear Adonis response if his mom would have said that his dad broke the computer.

Share your thoughts with regard to how the communication interactions you observed may have affected the child's feelings and/or any influences it may have had on the child's sense of self-worth.

This is another event when I went to pick my daughter up again today and Adonis was at the computer watching as he always is watching “The Wiggles” This show has many sing-alongs and learning activities.  So he said “grandma come here let me show you something. He has put on the Spanish versions and was singing alone and asked me to sing too I said I don’t know the song. I would listen to the verses and then sing what I thought I heard I was very impressed. He said grandma sit down and watch this with me. There was a scene where we had to scream “wake up Jeff and I said it too fast. Adonis put his hand on me and said grandma you have to wait for them to count I’ll show you.” He said now listen and I waited and I listened and then he said you read, I shook my head and on the count of three we screamed at the same time. I know he loved it because I did too. I try to do a short activity with him and ask him how was school that day and he always tells me if he had a good day or a not so good day. I am learning from him and him from me,

Offer insights on how the adult-child communication you observed this week compares to the ways in which you communicate with the children.

I learned that my grandson has great teachers. I them once when I had to pick Adonis up from school and I my say I was very impressed with the morning welcome. One of the teachers was at the door checking lunch bags and boxes and the other teacher was in the classroom getting the children (kindergartners) ready for the morning curriculum. I feel I did a great job at participating and Adonis was happy I was there; he even sat in the chair with me and held my hand. When I had to leave he didn’t want me to go. I will see him again before the weekend is done and I will engage in another conversation and watch some more of his favorite shows.

What have you learned about yourself this week with respect to how well you talk with and listen to young children?

I learned that even though I’m grandma, I can be a great influence and a great teacher to my grandson too. Even though I’m family according to

In what ways could you improve? I am improving every day in the way I look at children and the way I perceive them. I am grateful to have in close reach children of all ages and whenever I have children come to my place of work with their parents I focus on the child and still do my job.  My job allows me to interact with people of all ages but I pay close attention to the children and have conversations. I could write a million stories but nothing replaces real life experiences.  I can’t think of anything right now, but I will keep doing what I’m doing and that is improving the lives of young children.

“Research highlights the importance of family involvement in children's school success (Epstein, Coates, Saunas, Saunders, & Simon, 1997; Ramey & Ramey, 1999; Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998). Children may be members of homeless families; families headed by a single parent or by gay or lesbian parents; or blended families, adoptive families, foster families, or intergenerational families.” (Arndt, McGuirr-Swartz, & Mary Ellen, 2008) And Grandmothers! “if we are to succeed in closing the achievement gap….we must put our efforts into creating high quality pre-kindergarten programs for the nation’s at-risk children”

 (A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Carolyn Jean Cherry)

Arndt, Janet S; McGuire-Schwartz, Mary Ellen (2008) Early Childhood School Success: Recognizing Families as Integral Partners. [Abstract] Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/210392507/abstract?accountid=14872

 

Family Child Care Home

 Someone To Care For Me: Family Child Care and Learning Center

The things that are most important in a Family Child Care Home and Learning Center are those things that children have in their own homes.  We can only fit so much in our homes if we live there too. Providing that I have a building especially designed like a home with many rooms for my child care home only and I don’t live there, it will be set up differently than if I designed my own home for this purpose. The way the home is built will determine which rooms will be for learning or play curriculum.

My anti-bias family child care and learning center

In my child care home I will have sections like in the video where children will always want to be. As you walk in there will be a place to welcome the children and families where in the winter months they will be able to help the child undress from their outer wear as well as say their goodbyes, see you later and have a great day. There will also be somewhere there that will assist those children whose parents are running late or just want to drop off and pick up but I will encourage parents to spend as much time as possible with their child when bringing them to my child care home.

 Once they enter the learning area, there will be the area for eating, they will learn to set the table and clean up afterward according to age. During the morning if the child has not had breakfast they will be allowed to eat. And the same for those that come later in the day or around lunch time. It is very important that a child is well fed before they start their day.

There will be the learning room(s), which will be set up according to age. The rooms will be filled with shelve for books, pictures, and scheduled, calendars, toys both for girls and boys. The books will be for all subjects for age appropriate learners.  We will do all our learning in the education room. I will have a room naptime, a room for playtime; a room like in the video when a child is has a hard time following the curriculum and wants to express their emotions.  There will be a large play area where there will be age appropriate toys and games.  I would like to have a movie room for family night, sofas, lounging chairs, mats, bean bags all sort of lounging furniture so that everyone feels at home.

The entire home will have picture’s that are diverse and anti-bias. I can say that I will be particular about my selections. I would want to set everything up and have an open house invite other child care professionals and parents to visit my home before I go into full operation to get their opinions and input, criticism, and praises. Hopefully more praises.

I want to display picture that are not biased in any way and place in my family child care home and learning center those things that promote a healthy and happy, and anti-bias environment for learning and for play. I want every child and family to feel welcome. There are many details to be developed and plans to make.

Derma-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J.O. (2010) Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. "Creating an Anti-Bias Learning Community”  Chapter  4,

 " National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Washington, DC

Course Media: "Welcome to an Anti-Bias Learning Community" https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2098014_1%26url%3D

Course Media: "Building on Children’s Strengths"   https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2098014_1%26url%3D

Thank you for the feedback. Report another imagePlease report the offensive image. CancelDone

o   

 

o   

o   

o   

o   

 

 

To my colleagues & Dr. Weems

 

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?

 

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

My hope for myself is to learn to communicate with families and children so that they will feel comfortable in communicating with me. Comfort for me is to be able to allow another person  know when I need help and when they (Child or Family) they need more that I can give them. It is very important to remember I don’t have all the answers and have enough support from colleagues and other early childhood professionals to help me to maintain a professional and friendly atmosphere for the children and the families of those children.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)

Diversity is one of the areas I would like to explore on a deeper level.  Equity and Social Justice will hold big poster boards

Definition of Diversity

        The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect.  It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.  These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.  It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

 

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

You guys have are a blessing to my life. I have never had so much information that I could actually use. (lol) These last eight weeks have been a challenge for me with work and family; I don’t know what I would have done without you. Thanks for all your feedback and your expertise. I look forward to finishing up this segment of my early childhood degree. I look forward to seeing some of you in my last few classes. I appreciate you all. THANK S TO ALL OF YOU.

Dr. Weens, it was my pleasure and thanks for the time you have dedicated to helping me. I really appreciate you.

Have a great holiday. Enjoy your break too, I will.

Creating Art

 

Children are only a loan to us from God, sooner or later we have to give them back.

Children are only a loan to us from God; we have to love them no matter what they do,  Children are only a loan from God, they learn they play and grow.

Children are only a loan from God, keeping and caring, teaching and sharing, being their loving guide. Loving them in this world of malice and strife and keeping them alive.

Children are from God as a source of strength and a way to keep life growing. Children are from God those that leave on such short notice leave our hearts unknowing.

 Children from God soon return from above. Children are from God. Children from God deserve to be loved.

My prayers go out to the parents, grand-parents, family and friends for the lost lives recently taken by the child of God that somehow became lost.

 

 

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

A time when you witnessed an adult (or yourself) reprimand or silence a child after he or she pointed out someone they saw as different (e.g., "That lady talks funny," " That man only has one leg!" "Why is that man so pretty!"). Include what the child said and what the adult did or said in response. (Note: If you cannot think of a specific time ask a friend or family member.)

My granddaughter made a comment about a lady that was overweight.

She said “Grandma, look at the lady, isn’t she so fat? I said to her, you should not talk about people. She may have a medical problem and it causes her to be overweight. She might not be able to lose weight.

What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response

My granddaughter believes that I will not tell her anything wrong.  If she calls someone fat, she will not do it around me. I try to instill good values to all my children.

An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom's ) understanding

As an educator it is our responsibility to teach our children not to judge people and when they say something negative we need to correct them in a positive way by turning what they say into something good.

The classroom is their second place for learning. Children learn things they say at home or in the environments they visit most outside their home and from other children.

Go to UTube and watch this video. You gotta see it!

    "Kids say the darnest things"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8aprCNnecU "I don't like you mommy"

Blog: Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

 Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families

I believe that children should be sheltered from certain things until a certain age. When children are exposed to same sex relationships such as having two mom’s or two dads, parent should educate children to the degree in which the child understands. You can’t tell a two year old “mom like sue and we’re in love and expect the child to understand. Children should learn age appropriate materials on gay and lesbians. The same holds for same sex partners. I don’t feel that it should be avoided; I feel that it should be decided at what age/grade children should be exposed to information about people that live this type of lifestyle.

 

If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag," "gay," "homo," "sissy," "tom boy," or "lesbo" as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children? (Note: if you have not had a personal experience, ask a family member, friend, or colleague)

I have experienced my grandson saying or calling my daughter gay. He is five and she is thirteen. I’m sure he has heard and adult in a conversation with another adult say the word “gay” when referring to someone or the subject of the conversation. When I heard him say to my daughter “T.T. you’re gay, I asked him what gay meant. He laughed and said I don’t know.  I explained to him as best I could why T.T. wasn’t gay, but at five years old how could I explain to him what gay was/is? I just asked him not to say it anymore until he knew what he was saying and I told him to ask his dad what it meant. I know for a fact that he does not watch anything on television but educational programs or cartoons. Where he heard those words came from an adult. My best reaction at the time was to ask his dad.

Both internalized privilege and internalized oppression derive from misinformation about one's social identity group (e.g., being 'less than' or 'more than' other groups) and from the societal realities and messages (both overt and covert) about power differences between groups. While young children do not yet understand the full implication of the power and resource differences they observe around them, seeds of ideas about power and social identity do plant themselves and come to flower more fully in later childhood" (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010, p. 17).


"I will no sit by and allow my grand  child to be confused about what gay or any of the other sexisms. When he becoms age appropiate, I will talk to his parents about things he should know. All aprents are not aware of what children should and should not know and at what age thesy shoiuld know." Thanks God they (my children/grandchildren) have me.

Team Building Collaboration, Part 2

        It is always a great feeling to know that there are people in the world that have good qualities. I have enjoyed learning about the early childhood field since I started my studies a few years ago. Today I am well equipped with knowledge about young children and the families, teachers, and other early childhood professionals that support those children and their families. I am blessed to be a member of the ECE community and privileged to have meet people like you that help foster my education and learning experiences. Childhood does not discriminate, it is the people of this world that put biases that cause conflict in early childhood and early childhood education. I have become a better communicator for the children and you all have contributed to my learning experiences whether it was in this class or another, whether we communicate online, in the classroom or from across the world, we are one.

      I would especially like to thank Dr. Hampshire for bring new ideas and information about how we communicate with child, teachers, and all the people we encounter in a lifetime. As a result of this class which has made me a better communicator, I would like to thank my colleagues for your share experiences, the strength you have added to my courage, and all your well wishes. In this class and all the classes I have conquered up to this point in my studies, I pray for better tomorrows and thank God for my past experiences that which has brought me to this point in my life. Just for today my life is evolving to the person that I have always wanted to be, helping children and supporting the families of those children and to bettering my community.

       I encourage each of you to continue doing what works for you. Whether it is childcare, early education or being an advocate for young children, do your best. We may not solve all the problems or be able to reach all the children we encounter but the hope is in the effort we put forth. We cannot save the world but we can contribute to the well-being of children one child at a time. Thank You!

Miss Leslie

ECE
Stay in Touch
leslieturner2011@att.net
leslie.turner2@waldenu.edu
 

 

Team Building and Collaborations, Part 1

Think about which aspects of the groups made for the hardest good-bye. Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced?

A few years ago I worked in a packaging plant with a group of people that made me feel like family from day one of my employment. After working there for a number of years we all had become more family oriented and share birthdays, children graduating, babies being born, and all the things that families do. When I found another job (my current employer), I put in my resignation and began my process to depart. The next few weeks seem like it was the end of the world. I know my co-workers were sad to see me leave. My emotions were on a roller coaster and the transition was very hard for me. 

The work we did required team work and the effort every one put in allow us to reap the rewards at the end of the completed task. I will never forget those people and I know they haven’t forgotten me. I see them from time to time and we catch up on our children, our own personal life and make sure we have updated information for each other. I learned a lot about friendships and communication form the people I worked with for many years. 

A few days before my last assigned day they threw a party with plenty of food and gifts. Since I was leaving the plant (assembly line) and getting out of the work boots and coveralls, the gifts consist of money, gift cards, well wishes and a lot of tears. They knew I needed a while new look and the gifts consisted of things like stockings and gift card telling me to buy some new dresses, pay for parking, and get some more girly type things like lip stick and nail polish.

When you work on an assembly line no one care how you look and the coveralls hid everything anyway.

 How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

It is always easy to make new friends and so hard to let go, so I hope I never have to. I have had the opportunity to take a few classes with some of my colleagues that I’m learning with now and I appreciate the feedback, suggestions and answers I have received since starting my master’s in education. I hope to see them at commencement so I can hug each one of them and thank them personally for their help.  I don’t think and adjournment will ever happen. And long as we continue in the field of early childhood we will always be colleagues. I don’t like good-byes or the thought of not seeing my friends. It is essential that we grow in our knowledge and experience so adjournments are a part of colleagues taking what they know and sharing with others so that we can make this world a better place for young children and the families of those children.

Me and one of my colleagues when we graduated withour first masters.

I graduated before her and had already taken my graduation pictures. When she graduated and was ready to take her pictures she asked me to pose with her because I inspired her to go back to school. I was so honored that she asked me. Her name is Carolyn. She is now working on and about to complete her PH.D. Me and her worked together for many years, and still for the same employer today, just at a different location. Carolyn has put togethe a "shout out" as she call it for all our other colleagues that have went back to school to futher their education and/or change their career. We stay in contact and encourage each other all the time.

Youdon't want this type of friendship to end.