After working at my preschool as the Assistant Director for eight years I transferred from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Grand Prairie, Texas. I became part of a family of teachers who achieved so many recognitions from our company because of our enrollment and teacher turn over rate. We piloted a new training program and it made a tremendous difference within our company. Saying goodbye was extremely hard but when I do go back to Iowa I always stop by the old school. But a lot has changed since then. There are only two teachers that are currently working there and the children are all now in public school. I still talk to some of my teachers and director thanks to face book. I learned a lot about team work and letting go from that experience. I am currently a director at a preschool in Cleburne, Texas and I have a strong team that are more like family. We currently pulled together to be a Christmas float and last night we participated in the parade and it was a huge success. I have learned that I need to embrace in the daily achievements with my team because in this industry is can change at any time. When I left Cedar Rapids we had a big going away party.
Another adjourning moment I have watched and saw how difficult it was for both my sons to play their last high school football game. There were a lot of tears and no one wanted it to end. Both boys have kept items from that time. Of course they are in college and started a team again but they have told me it is not like the days in high school. The boys had a big party at the end of the year. Some of them still talk to each others.
As for the masters I think it will be easier to adjourn from Walden because for me it is an online class and really haven't connected with anyone because my professional life takes most of my time. My children and finance also consume a lot of my time so I really do not get a chance to talk to other students. And that makes me a little sad because I think that my colleagues are all amazing people.
Reference:
Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved fromhttp://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html
Hi Carrie! I loved what you said " I have learned that I need to embrace in the daily achievements with my team because in this industry is can change at any time." I work really hard at making sure that I recognize my staffs efforts often. They have a hard job and sometimes they have to put up with a lot of "crap." (Sorry) I want them to know that I care about and appreciate them. I do little things from just giving them a hug, to bringing them chocolate, or even an occasional gift card or trinket. They love being appreciated and I love to do that for them.
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI think that being in an online educational community makes it hard to really establish connections with each other-and that's something that I have struggled with, and miss about a going to a class. However, as you mentioned our careers and family would make it very hard to have a traditional masters experience. I hope that at the end of this we are able to connect on Facebook or something so that we can still keep in touch, especially those of us that are directors-it's always great to hear what another center is doing!
Machaela
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteWonderful post!! I agree when something that you have invested time in and it has become a part of your life and daily routine it is hard to move on.