Friday, December 10, 2010
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 discusses what skills and knowledge about group process are essential to the job of a curriculum leader. The text offers four sets or clusters of group process skills; The Change Process, Interpersonal Relations, Leadership Skills, and Communication Skills. Read over these four group process skills and briefly describe which skill you feel would be the most important for you to further develop within yourself and why?
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I feel that I would need to work on interpersonal relations because this is all new to me. I'm stepping from the role of a teacher of many years to an administrator. I have been a mentor to new teachers and student teachers and will be the first to help out when needed or offer suggestions, but I have no tolerance for lazy people. I need to work on motivating teachers to take pride in their job and want to excel in teaching rather than expecting and insisting on it.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I need to work on communication skills. Sometimes I expect others to do something that I have not verbally communicated with them. I guess I think people are mind readers when in reality they are not. I also talk with lots of hand motions. This tends to make me look as if I am an aggressive person when in reality I am not.
ReplyDeleteI also dread communicating with disgruntled parents. I need to develop a backbone fast. So communication is definitely an area that I need to work on.
I think that I need to work on my communication skills. Like Cherie, I sometimes assume that people know what to do. In cases like this, I get slightly upset when things are not done. I also feel that because I generally speak loudly, I come across as being a little too harsh. So, I definitely feel that need to work on how to get my point across.
ReplyDeleteI believe I need to improve in my change process skills. I feel it would be necessary to work on getting a group of staff to change ideas or how they do things. I myself have no problems with change, but getting others to change, is a whole different story.
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ReplyDeleteI was totally going to same the same thing about myself. I most definitely need to work on my communication skills - I talk too fast, with my hands, loudly, and am very matter of fact. I assume that people know what I am talking about and then get angry when they don't. I sometimes have too much opinion and backbone and come across as a bossy, know-it-all. And, believe it or not, I have improved these skills tremendously from where they used to be!
ReplyDeleteI know that, as a school leader, I could be more effective if I would work on these things. Also, I need to work on my non-verbal communication so that I don't put others off by my body language. (I am an arms-crossed kind of girl!)
I feel that I need to work harder on my communication skills. I think my strengths as an administrator will be curriculum and management, but I often find myself trying to do to much. I need to learn to trust those around me to do their part. By becoming a more effective communicator, I should be able to accomplish this.
ReplyDeleteIt takes the work of an entire staff to effectively manage/run a school. This cannot be done without a great communicator at the top!!
Communication skills are an area that I need to work on. I need to make sure that I get my complete message out to people. I feel that I often times assume that people know what I need or am talking about when they truly don't
ReplyDeleteI definately need to work on my communication skills. I am brutally honest and say what is on my mind. I need to learn to control this because I realize that I as an administrator I would definately hurt the feelings of others. However, I admire this quality in people because you always know where you stand with that person.
ReplyDeleteI believe that I need to work on my communication skills the most. Often things can get mistrude between myself or another when discussing matters because there was not clear communication on my part or the other. Being a school leader, I need to clearly communicate with others to make sure things are done properly and carried out efficiently.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the change process is going to be the most challenging. I am very uniformed in everything I do, and it seems like change can just throw the whole dynamic off. Also, I tend to be a leader most of the time so instead of taking the initiative to do the task by myself, I will need to help my group make effective decision making skills to help them lead others.
ReplyDeleteI believe that my communication skills are the most challenging for me. I do NOT like speaking in front of others, one-on-one, or AT ALL. I just don't like to talk. I realize that I must cummunicate effectively and be able to lead members of a group in communicating effectively and even facilitate discussion.
ReplyDeleteKnowing this, I have consistently placed myself in situations that will lend me opportunities to lead discussion, or facilitate discussions. I have been trying to develop this skill even though it has taken me to a very uncomfortable "zone". I know that this will benefit me, ultimately, and, eventually, others as well. (Sweaty palms and all)
I think that I need to work on communication skills a little more. The principal that I work for has excellent communication skills. When discussing a "touchy" subject with the entire faculty, he can always put a positive spin on it that I don't know if I would have been able to come up with without hearing it from him first. I've seen faculty meetings get very heated when certain subjects are broached and I have seen our principal somehow get everyone calmed down (maybe not to agree 100%) and have a civilized discussion. I sit back and wonder if it would have turned out the same for me had I been leading the faculty meeting. Hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI feel that leadership skills are the most important skills for an instructional leader to possess because, in my estimation, the other three areas fall under this 'umbrella.' Effective leaders exhibit the skills necessary to be successful when they possess effective communication skills, the ability to develop and enhance interpersonal relationships, and bring about the change process. As an English teacher, I feel I possess good communication skills -- not just grammar and mechanics -- comprehension and delivery of meaning as well. Furthermore, after nearly eighteen years of teaching, I feel I have learned to develop positive interpersonal relationships, or I would not have been able to continue in this field successfully for this amount of time. Finally, the change agent is one I readily embrace. Again, after this amount of time in a classroom, I would be 'burned out' and utilizing stagnant teaching techniques were I not willing to embrace change. Therefore, leadership skills, in my opinion, develop out of the previously mentioned skills.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's the change process. In my position as a T/TAC coordinator, I assist schools in instituting new strategies, programs, methodologies, etc. Gail McCutcheon, in Oliva's text, cites the "camparative safety of the status quo" and that's a very appropro phrase. We all know change is difficult and can feel like trying to turn a ship 360 while its docked. The skills involved in facilitating the change process are to me invaluable and something I really strive for. Without change, nothing grows, and being able to help folks accept, adopt, implement and institute a new concept or program that ultimately benefits school and community is an ability worth its weight in gold.
ReplyDeleteI think the skill I need to work on the most would be my communication skills. I agree with Rebekah that sometimes I say things too quickly without putting more thought into it; however, I think that good communication skills come with practice and experience so therefore I feel like these skills would come with time. All of the principals that I have worked for have had excellent communication skills and have taught me a great amount about how important it is to have this. I definitely think it's something I will work on and continue to work on because it is so important.
ReplyDeleteI am torn between two of the skills I feel I need to work on mainly to help others develop their skills in the area of curriculum. The first is the change process. I feel I am developing my skills but I need to stretch myself further to be able to help others develop those skills in themselves. Also, I feel leadership skills may be an area for me to work on. Again, I feel I am progressing with those skills in my own style but I need to help others by the way I lead. Too often I go ahead and get things done when I should be waiting and assisting others so they can also be developing their skills.
ReplyDeleteI believe I need to work on my Leadership skills. Since graduating from college in '01, I have worked in a variety of positions where interpersonal skills, communication skills, and the ability to put knowledge into practice when it comes to change have been essential. Now as I transition into a more administrative role, I know I must grow in my organizational and management skills. A lack of organization has been a weakness of mine since grade-school. It's funny because this is one of the things that frustrates me most with my students...Kind of "The pot call'n the kettle..." :) In order to lead, I must develop an organized approach to harness my strengths in working with others for positive change. If I am unable to grow in this area, then the areas where I have a natural ability will amount to very little.
ReplyDeleteI believe the area I need to work on the most would be interpersonal skills. If strong professional relationships can be formed with faculty, staff, and stakeholders the job of an administrator is much easier. I see this as one of the reasons that the principal at my school is so successful. I can not think of one person with whom he does not have a positive relationship. Relationship skills make the other traits discussed much more effective.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that communication skills are something that I need to work on. I am very good at communicating my point, however, it doesn't always come out the right way. I can be sarcastic and matter of fact, when at times I should be more sympathetic. I have to remember that a good communicator also listens and tries to understand.
ReplyDeleteI, too, agree that I need to brush up on my communication skills. After communicating with mostly students all these years in a classroom, its much different when communicating in a leadership role, such as administrator. I talk with my hands a lot as well. I sometimes think others understand the direction in heading in when really they may not. Good communication skills are essential in a leadership position. I want to be able to communicate well everyone whether I am directing a group meeting or an individual meeting.
ReplyDeleteI cannot choose, I look at four of these categories and say I could always improve on all of these things. But if I have to choose one, I suppose I would choose I believe that the Leadership skills are the most important because being at a number of different schools in my relatively brief 5 years as an educator I have seen how important Leadership skills are. Also, I have seen that one can have the greatest communication skills and interpersonal skills but if those leadership skills are not there then the school cannot function behind that administrator.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the skill I need to further develop within myself is communication skills. A leader must be an effective communicator to get the job done. It is much different to communicate and direct adults compared to what I do each day with children. For a school to run properly a good communicator must distribute jobs and roles among faculty members and I feel this is a skill that I would need improvement in. I would need to ensure that I was clear in what I am communicating to my faculty and staff in order for the school to run smoothly.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to further develop the skill of communication within myself. I often assume the people that work with me know what I mean when I make a statement, instead of explaining
ReplyDeletehow I would like it to go. I have been working on this.
Communication skills would be the acluster of group process skills I need to further develop.I need to work on slowing down and thinking how I communicate with others to increase being understood. I have experienced administrators who assume teachers understand. The teacher then reacts and is corrected. Clear communication could have prevented an event that can have lasting effects. Members should also feel secure enough to express an opinion.
ReplyDeleteI need to work on my change process skills, for I have found that change is one of the few constants in instructional leadership. Also, change is one of the hardest things to lead and manage.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I will need to work on change process first and foremost. No matter how great its seems it is a change when you enter a new school and a new position. It is necessary to acknowledge and work on the change process. It could make or break you in the end.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the area for me would be "The Change Process". Making or demonstrating the effective decision making skills, sometimes it difficult for me. I feel that I am not heard in a group of people, I know that is a big part of being a leader. I feel that I could lead them and demonstrate them, but worry that some would not take me serious and listen to what I have to say.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the change process is where I need to work within myself. As a school social worker, I am responsible for implementation of new prevention programs and the RTI process. These initiatives are often met with resistance from staff. Although change is not difficult for me, I need to work on ways to integrate new initiaves more effectively for those folks who have difficulty managing change.
ReplyDeletePossibly the most important skill for me to work on is communication skills. I need to work on formulating my thought process rather than reacting too quickly, before I have had time to formulate what should be spoken. I also sometimes find myself listening to what is being said and before they have finished talking, thinking about what I will say in response.
ReplyDeleteI would like to further develop my communication skills and also work on my listening, body language, and hand jesters skills. Possessing good communication skills is a necessity in any job setting.
ReplyDeleteDonna Fortune
ReplyDeleteThe change process is my area of weakness. I am as resistant to change as many teachers. But, as I have progressed through the courses for this program I have learned to see the value of change and to see why it is so hard for not only me, but the majority of the people in a school building (and in life). The safety of the 'status quo' is hard to let go when you are comfortable with it. But educatonal aims and goals are constantly changing and change is a necessity. I need to learn how to create areas of change that are somewhat comfortable and create understanding for why change is a necessary.
I think that I need to work on my communication skills. I often think that people know what I am talking about when I have not clearly explained myself. When I want things to go a certain way, I can tend to seem bossy and opinionistic. I have been working on my communication skills, and I have become a better listener instead of always talking and voicing my opnions.
ReplyDeleteI will need to work on the "change process" skill. I tend to lean towards making decisions that are best for me that may not always be the best for the group. Strengthening this skill will be crucial to leading a group (like a faculty) and effecting change.
ReplyDeleteI think that the change process is something I would need to work on. I tend to be pretty impatient. When I see soemthign that is not working, I like to fix it- NOW. :) So taking the time to listen to others, research best practices, look at data and the like, might seem to me like delaying the actualy change that I would want to see. I've been trying to "slow down" as I have learned more about the enormous nature of my district and look at all of the components, but I still recognize that change happens too slow.
ReplyDeleteI need to work on communication and interpersonal relationships.
ReplyDelete1-Communication: I have difficulty wording this exactly as I want them to come across.
2-Relationships: I have a small group of very close friends, rather than a large group of acquaintence-type friends. It's often hard for me to trust others.
I need to work on communication first. I tend to have the conversation with myself and think everyone around me heard the conversation also but they didn't. I also need to work on leadership. I am so ready to delegate and hear from others what they think that I seldom initiate. Although this is good at times, it can be viewed as "wishy washy".
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is essential to understand personal strengths and weaknesses. I know that my major weakness is in organization, part of leadership skills. I am department chair for SPED, co-department chair for our child study, Student Council Association sponsor, Varsity basketball coach, and I have three children under the age of 9. Can anyone understand why I would forget a date or two? Fortunately, technology has improved my organizational weakness with a phone that not only stores my dates of importance but it also reminds me with bells and whistles. I honestly have to force myself to stop and make time to put the dates in my phone but it is worth the time!
ReplyDeleteI think I would need to work on interpersonal relations the most. As any new administrator, I could use some improvements in each of of the four areas. I would focus on this area, becuase it deals with not only how I work work with members of the group, but what I do to improve the way members work with one another.
ReplyDeleteInterpersonal relations are definitely the core of my work. I can always improve on them, but it seems to me that they are essential to education and to leadership.
ReplyDeleteChange process skills is something I could surely work on. I do not have an issue with change, but sometimes I feel as if others who have been in the system for an extended period of time do not want to make changes. Now I do not have an issue stepping on someone's toes to get them to make a necessary change, I just feel I need to work on the skills needed to show them the importance of making the change.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the text, I realize my interpersonal relations are weaker than the other three. Group work has always been a little uncomfortable for me. Surrendering control from self to the group is difficult. When conflict or disagreements arise within the group, I find myself tending to play the role of mediator but without giving any thought to increasing the interpersonal skills of the group members.
ReplyDelete