People with whom I interact regularly would begin with my sister. We contact via Skype and at times telephone. I avoid topics that I know are upsetting to her and spend most of the time finding out about the family. Because of the format, I am careful what I say and do not end a conversation where there is any hint of misunderstanding because of the geographical distance between us. A few years back when I was having difficulty at school, there was no other place I had to be than 'home for Christmas', where no special level of performance was required.
My friends here in Beijing communicate in person, via texts and emails. Because we share very different backgrounds I find myself carefully observing our interactions to make certain they have communicated what I intended. This could mean a follow-up call after a text or a meet for coffee after an email. We can have personal conversations and I am free to share my beliefs without offending.
I also have a group of Christian friends and fellow Sunday school teachers that I work with in that capacity. I am certainly more relaxed about speaking about spiritual things with them and our sharing is mostly on that level and being mindful of where we are and what we are sharing.
I also interact with the other foreign teachers at our international school. I am perhaps not careful enough in these interactions. I assume to a certain extent that we are all Montessorians so we see things equally through that lens. However there are hardly two of us who studied the same Montessori discipline and definitely not more than two of us from the same country. I think I miss nuances of understanding that would help enrich what we do.
I interact on a professional level with my Chinese assistants and the parents in our class and Baby groups. These can be jovial but are firstly based on my position as an early childhood educator. Here I need to temper my knowledge with the culture and background of the people I interact with. I am trying to overcome the tendency to only be the expert and also be the learner.
Three strategies I would like to begin immediately are:
1. Taking more time to study cultural backgrounds. However I want to remain mindful that every case is an individual with a unique perspective.
2. I want to begin to be more proactive in finding ways for opposing ideas to co-exist. By looking at rationales of both positions and finding a cooperative solution where both sides can be respected.
3. I will enter EVERY conversation being mindful that this person does not think as I do. We do not share the same starting point in this conversation and I must look for evidence for where we agree and where we do not.
My main goal is to remain diligent in making every communication equal and meaningful far beyond the time of this course.
Bobbie,
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I really liked to change being the expert, and become also the learner. That can be difficult for most people who are heightened in their profession and have really pushed through the ranks. Learning never ends though, especially with all of the ways to communicate. It is no longer about sole verbal communication but like you said texts and emails as well. You are surrounded by changes and I would imagine this places you on your toes a lot. What a terrific place to be in life! Surprises come more often this way!
Tina
Bobbie,
ReplyDeleteI think you have constructed an excellent goal to make every conversation meaningful; that will be beneficial to both your personal and professional life.
Great post!
Hi Bobbie
ReplyDeleteI like your three strategies. I like Educator for Lil All Starz feel that it will be beneficial for both your personal and professional life.
As far as my posting I do not believe in abuse however I do believe in spanking. I do not think swating a child on their bottom is going to hurt anything, but it will allow them to know what they are doing is not safe or they need to stop doing what ever they are doing to get that swat. Good parent do not just go around and hit their children for no reason. I do believe that children are out of control I do not know where you live but we have children who are fighting teachers and parents, curzing teachers and parents, kicking, spiting, and bitting teachers and parents. These are the children who do not get spanked. We never had these problems when we spanked. Communicating can come is many forms. I do believe that a swat on the bottom is a great communication device. I am so sorry that your friend was even looked at as if she did something wrong. This is just want I am taking about. Some people should just mind there own business, and let people discipline their children. We all know what abuse is. That is want needs to be stopped not discipline that works.