Reflection and Goodbye

This course has taught me a lot about myself, the way I listen and the ways I communcate in different situations. I am taking away the ways to reflect on my own practice and to constructively improve.  I appreciate all of your kind thoughts and guidance throughout this course and look forward to seeing some of you in future course work! This quarter has been very challenging for me balancing coursework with life (teaching, wife, 2 year old, 6 mo old). I feel like even though it is has been a challenge, I have learned a lot and look forward to growing more professionally!

Adjourning

This week we learned about the five stages of team development. One stage was adjourning – a time for “reflection, celebration, and goodbyes” (Adubi, 2010).  

Groups that I have been a part of that made for hard good-byes were ones where we were all compassionate about the goal, we got along very well, and we worked together for a substantial amount of time.  One group I am thinking about was my teaching job (School A) that I worked at for three consecutive years in the same school. I got along really well with the teachers in the school, we all collaborated on school wide themes and tasks and it was a great positive experience.  My placement after that year (we moved out of state for my husband’s job) was not as friendly and cooperative and it was hard to feel that connection like I had before. I ended up leaving that job after one year for a different placement which was more family like.  At School A’s closing rituals included a goodbye party, lots of cards, hugs, stories, and well wishes. I am still in contact with most of the colleagues from this school and miss them often! School B – there wasn’t a goodbye really; I had delivered my son at the end of that school year and decided over summer to apply to a school closer to my home. When I was hired, I resigned and that was that… 

From this group of colleagues from our Masters courses, I do not know what to expect. I have taken some semesters off and therefore have changed cohorts a few times so I have not been with any one set group for very long.  At the end of each course we wish all of our groups well and good luck and I would expect the same.  Some people may continue to keep in touch but I don’t think it will be as emotional as when you have a physical class with someone and you see them each day. 

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it is natural to have endings and endings allow for some sort of closure. This closure also allows for a new group to form for the next project. 

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