Throughout this course, I’ve been learning about communication, team building, and collaboration strategies and skills that will support you as an early childhood professional. No doubt you will be in collegial environments in which people work together toward a common goal—ensuring the health and well-being of young children and their families.
The late Jim Rohn said, “If you just communicate, you can get by. But if you communicate skillfully you can work miracles.” It will be much easier to have a good conversation with someone if you are engaged and really caring about the things they are saying.
As I reflect, I’ve realized that I’ve been forged into a A collaborative learning community with my colleagues. We’ve shared information and insights with each other and support each other through the journey. As I prepare to move on into my specialization, I would like to take a minute to thank the colleagues that have supported me, given me great advice, and I’d like to also wish them well as they continue down their professional path.
- Lewanda Taybron: you have a beautiful soul. I’ve read your discussion posts and you’ve given me some insights on looking at things from a different perspective. I appreciate your feedback and zeal in the questions you’ve asked that has pushed me outside the box to think in a more direct way; not to mention, the cake topper, you’re a Sabbath keeper. In your introduction to the class, you mentioned that and it felt reassuring to know you identified that as part of your culture. I’d like to wish you much blessings and success in your endeavors as you travel down life’s highway. May the Most High bless you and keep you and your family.
- Leonie Buchanan-Givans: I truly enjoyed reading your blog posts. So many experiences and knowledge you’ve shared with me (and others) through that platform avenue. I wish for much success as well and when you reach that end goal of finishing this journey, you’ll look back and say “It was well worth it.”
Although I’ve chosen these specific two to focus on, many of my colleagues have been very influential on my professional journey. I’d love to keep in touch with as many of you as possible. It’s always a pleasure to communicate and collaborate with fellow people who have the same interests. Feel free to reach out whenever you can. You can follow me on IG at @bridgingthega.eic. Thanks to all the people that followed me, as well as my collegues that have helped me see and learn. I look forward to the encouragement and support of each of us as we move through the program. I look forward to many more lessons in the future.
Bridging the Gap in Early Childhood Education 
Hi Allison,
I have enjoyed learning from you and working with you in our discussion groups. Thank you for sharing your insights and different views on topics. I wish you all the best as you continue on your journey through the program.
Take care!
Jamie
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Jamie,
It was a pleasure reading your posts. You have an awesome journey ahead of you. Please feel free to reach out any time. I also look forward to seeing you in future days ahead.
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Allison,
Thank you for sharing your perspective of the effects of communication and collaborating. I hope you have gotten as much as I have in this course over these past 8 weeks. Best wishes in your future endeavors –
Violanda
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I appreciate you reaching out to me regarding an assignment that turned into a great and supportive friendship. We are cocultures! A smaller group of people within a culture who are distinguished by features such as race, religion, age, generation, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, education level, occupation, and a host of other factors (O’Hair et al., 2018, p. 144). The fact that we hit the checkboxes to a number of the cocultures mentioned I see why we established a friendship beyond the classroom. If I thought to have also met a Sabbath observer through this process, I would have told someone impossible. Cultural diversities are everywhere people’s social identity theory is more willing to include religion and race to the conversations. I like it when we collaborate about school, pushing each other’s critical thinking further. Walden is another coculture group both you and I have in common that have established a friendship beyond school. I look forward to conversing with you soon!
Reference
O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D.I., & Teven, J. (2018). Real communication: An introduction (4th. Ed). New York: Bedford? St. Martin’s
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Hi Allison,
I am sure you will be doing amazing things in the years to come as a professional early childhood educator. It has been great getting to know you. I have really enjoyed your motivation and support over the course. Thank you and may your future be bright!
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Gigi,
Thank you for those kind words. Sometimes it hard to see pass the tip of your nose but it’s a different feeling when you have the support of your colleagues and motivation from your classmates. I wish you all the best on your journey as well.
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