Oh, This Girl Can Communicate!

I was always thrilled every spring when we met on the track for gym time. I could run. I could run, fast! Real. fast. I felt the same sense of excitement with this week's assignments. Since I was a very young person, I have known I can communicate.  I would be asked to tell stories to visiting relatives and I remember how great it felt to feel powerful in communication. Many of my interestes throughout my life have reflected my love of communication. I love to

• Read (find me on Goodreads)
• Tell a story (find me at www.facebook.com/KatySmithWinona)
• Play with words (find me on Words With Friends mammakates)
• Provide commentary (find me on Twitter  @KatyMN12)
• Keep journals, letters, notes, recipes (find me on TLC's Hoarders? Nope, just kidding)

If I wasn't a skilled communicator, I doubt I could have survived working in parent education all these years. I communicate in small groups, one on one, and in front of large (and occasionally distinguished) audiences.  I have always loved to talk. Good thing, I do it often! I would love to find my second grade teacher who was so concerned about my verbal skills that she took the time to remark on every report card that "Katy talks ENTIRELY TOO MUCH". I do, and I get paid for it! BOOM!

For those of you have seen my amazing photo at the Smithsonian before, I hope you never tire of it! This weeks assignments reminded me how powerful communication is. I learned that my communication is congruent, consistent in a variety of settings, and effective. 

Resource

O'Hair, D. & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: an introduction. Bedford/St. Martin's

Good Communication Stands the Test of Time!

It was like running into an old college buddy this week to find the Johari Window in our readings! I had used the tool over and over in my work as a chemical dependency counselor years ago to help addicts discover that they were indeed able to change the way people perceived them. We are all in charge of who we are as we present ourselves to the public. We all have much to learn about ourselves when we take the time to listen to how people perceive us. We can learn the most when we explore the person we keep to ourselves. This weeks resources helped me explore the "hidden" messages I keep to myself and the impact they have on the work that I do.

I work with diversity of knowledge, resources, family dynamics, literacy levels, parenting backgrounds, access to technology, among many others. Each of those resources are embedded in a cultures of poverty and wealth. Considering all the diversity we see in public school classrooms in race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, ability, age, income level......it is a wonder that community education even works. We must focus on what we have in common while respecting our differences that make us successful educators. No wonder we sleep so well at night.

Three lessons that were reinforced for me this week to support my journey to be an effective communicator are:

1.

I met Dr. Pedro Noguera this week. I gave him a lot of power due to his impressive credentials and his command of the topic of education reform. I learned to respect that power but not to let it smother my own and found myself engaged in a conversation about parent education with him. We both walked away from the conversation having experienced the role of the teacher and the student. I learned much about code from Dr. Nuguero that reinforced this weeks resources.

2.

I also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Maryanne Wolf. I approached her with assumed similarities, having studied her work and knowing that we has the same passion for reading, hers embedded in a research context, mine in a practitioners context. I was right. We hit it off splendidly! I learned to trust my instincts, especially when they are well informed.

3.

I move from working with adults to working with children seamlessly. This week, I was reminded to appropriately adapt my communication. I believe that as tempting as it may be to engage in adult conversation when adults are present, to always be mindful of what we say, how we say it, and what it means when children are in the room.

In short, be powerful, be warm, and be mindful. Three strategies to help me become more effective as a communicator at work, in the classroom, and in my community.

Reference

S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Communication ala Dunphy!

Not to sound judgmental but I don't watch TV, not the kind for entertainment anyway. I kind of admire people who do and honestly wonder how they find the time. With work, school, and so many books to read, I have time to watch the news and that is it! This assignment gave me the opportunity to watch the first episode of "Modern Family". My daughters gave me the first season on DVD years ago. I knew I would like it and looked forward to watching it when I retire! Now that I have seen it, I want more!!

The show is a little overwhelming, especially without the sound. So many characters and at least three plots going at the same time. I decided to put my focus on the Dunphy family, Parents, Phil and Claire and children, two girls and a boy. What great actors these folks are. They are very expressive! The characters portrayed are warm and loving and yet, highly distracted. Lots of sibling rivalry and chaos in the family. They share their feelings openly, with a hint of sarcasm noted, even with the sound off! Hands thrown up in the air in exasperation, eye rolling, arms crossed, and shoulder shrugging were clues of an emotional situation going on in the family. 

With the sound on, I patted myself on the back for picking up on the non verbals. I was spot on. I rely on my ability to read the non verbal cues parents give me to be a successful teacher. The dialog in the episode enhanced what I suspected. These are witty characters who express themselves equally as well verbally as non verbally! I assumed I would like the mom, her "mom stink eye" is admirable. I commend these actors for the ability to use their bodies, and especially their facial expressions to sell the story as much as the dialog does. I assumed that my daughters were right before I turned the TV on today. I like the show, very much. Now that I want to take in all 12 episodes of "Modern Family", how will I find the time to clean my bathrooms?

A Skilled Communicator

I have always admired the communication style of Hillary Clinton. In her roles as First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the US, Senator, Secretary of State, wife, and mother, Ms. Clinton has always been articulate, passionate, and protective.

I have always admired politicians who create and maintain boundaries that allow the public to get to know them but keep a close watch on their personal life. She is warm and friendly. She is smart and well versed in her subject area. I especially admire how cool she is under pressure.

The Senate hearing on Benghazi is a prime example of Hillary under fire yet cool, passionate, and articulate. I sat in awe of how she was able to put Senators in their place with her expertise on the subject. She was not belittling but she was sure. Assertiveness without aggression is a very effective communication skill to possess. I appreciate a role model of assertiveness, especially for women.

Personal boundaries are important to me. Keeping a distinct boundary between my personal and professional life is something I can model after Hillary Clinton. We know her, we know her family, and she protects who she is as a wife and mother. It will be interesting to watch her craft a communication campaign as she decides where to go next in her professional journey. I have no doubt that Secretary Clinton will prove to be a competent communicator.