As I continue to work on the study of the organization outside education, I met a very interesting person working within the company. I introduced myself to her and briefly explained my intention for being at the facility. She responded with telling me all about her recent graduation and goals and aspirations for the future. Her major is linguistics and she discussed details with the job opportunities and future she will get to be a part of.
When discussing her job position she shared how grateful she was to have this job. She expressed how this job gave her the opportunity to complete her graduate level course work. It allowed her the time during the days to attend class and work in the evenings and weekends. She has no intention of leaving this place of employment even after graduation.
For me, this was another confirmation of the success of this company and how the employees feel tied to the greater good. The employees are appreciative of the owners and grateful for jobs. I look forward to the next week with the form of a tour and other follow up conversations with employees within this organization.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
School Culture
This is the second school year my campus has been invested in changing the school culture during these difficult budgetary times. The staff felt like students were not getting the social skills necessary both at school and at home to support academic and social success currently and for the future. As a site we are focusing on self control, responsibility and self confidence. We use this vocabulary as a common voice whether the students are in the classroom, cafeteria, library, computer lab, office or walking around campus. Our suspensions went down 40 from last year and we anticipate even less for this year. This is important because when students are in school we get our ADA.
As I work on the assignment and trying to get into my organization I go back to self control. I just want to go in and ask the questions, get the tour, talk to people and move forward with the assignment...putting one more thing behind me. Instead, I am using my self control to take the time necessary to build relationships and trust to get to the other side of the door. I am taking responsibility to do the assignment to the best of my ability. Last, I am using my self-confidence to not let the first "NO" or "You wont get anything from that visit" discourage me. I continue to use these skills and am enjoying the process.
I am encouraged by the culture change that is happening!
As I work on the assignment and trying to get into my organization I go back to self control. I just want to go in and ask the questions, get the tour, talk to people and move forward with the assignment...putting one more thing behind me. Instead, I am using my self control to take the time necessary to build relationships and trust to get to the other side of the door. I am taking responsibility to do the assignment to the best of my ability. Last, I am using my self-confidence to not let the first "NO" or "You wont get anything from that visit" discourage me. I continue to use these skills and am enjoying the process.
I am encouraged by the culture change that is happening!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Observation Opportunity
Yesterday I found myself in the emergency room for 6 hours. As I sat patiently waiting for each step in the process I was in I worked on readings and homework for both courses. As people came in and out of the lobby I couldnt help but ask questions and engage in conversations with patients. During the 6 hours I studied this organization in the way we are working on our assignments.
Admissions: Smiling, approachable, would pop head out of window and check in with patients, give updates on status or how many ahead of them
Nurses: Discussed only one doctor and he had a busy load, friendly with each other and verbally asked to support each other,offered drinks, helped in getting bottles for babies
Doctor: Spent time with each patient, thourough, did not rush progress, asked questions and engaged in "stories"
Patients...I met and had conversations with people that were warm and supportive. One couple in the lobby had just moved to the area and had a million questions. Being in this area for 22 years, I had a million answers. Another couple and I were called into a room at the same time. As we went through the doors we looked at each other and said...we finally made it to the other side. As that man walked around the next few hours he continued to wave, smile and say a few kind words to the people he had met. As the 6 hours went on phone numbers were shared and as patients were discharged goodbyes were said.
Volunteers: As I was wheeled to x-ray by a volunteer I asked the purpose of her position. She told me her hope to go to UCLA and become a bio-chemist and she wanted to learn as much about the medical field prior to that time. When she brought me back to my room she asked if I needed anything and brought me a warm blanket.
My take away...I enjoyed my emergency room experience and was able to take the focus away from the 6 hours of waiting and instead enjoy the people I met and look at the organization through a new lense. My feel was a group of people who supported and liked working together. They have a difficult job and a certain balance they must always have. They deal with people and personalities who have had life and health compromised. I learned the importance of patience from this experience. This is huge because it is easy to get so rushed in work, family, college etc and not take time for the little things. People matter, relationships matter and slowing down to build trust is a good thing!
Admissions: Smiling, approachable, would pop head out of window and check in with patients, give updates on status or how many ahead of them
Nurses: Discussed only one doctor and he had a busy load, friendly with each other and verbally asked to support each other,offered drinks, helped in getting bottles for babies
Doctor: Spent time with each patient, thourough, did not rush progress, asked questions and engaged in "stories"
Patients...I met and had conversations with people that were warm and supportive. One couple in the lobby had just moved to the area and had a million questions. Being in this area for 22 years, I had a million answers. Another couple and I were called into a room at the same time. As we went through the doors we looked at each other and said...we finally made it to the other side. As that man walked around the next few hours he continued to wave, smile and say a few kind words to the people he had met. As the 6 hours went on phone numbers were shared and as patients were discharged goodbyes were said.
Volunteers: As I was wheeled to x-ray by a volunteer I asked the purpose of her position. She told me her hope to go to UCLA and become a bio-chemist and she wanted to learn as much about the medical field prior to that time. When she brought me back to my room she asked if I needed anything and brought me a warm blanket.
My take away...I enjoyed my emergency room experience and was able to take the focus away from the 6 hours of waiting and instead enjoy the people I met and look at the organization through a new lense. My feel was a group of people who supported and liked working together. They have a difficult job and a certain balance they must always have. They deal with people and personalities who have had life and health compromised. I learned the importance of patience from this experience. This is huge because it is easy to get so rushed in work, family, college etc and not take time for the little things. People matter, relationships matter and slowing down to build trust is a good thing!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Organizational Interventions
The readings on organziational interventions were motivating and inspiring. Not only did I learn a tremendous amount, I was able to incorporate learnings to my own organization and the organization being studied. As a leader I must go through rigorous evaluations each year to review the progress on my site and review the professional development I recieve. I had a full circle moment and realized how important this process is as I studied the readings and literature on organizational interventions. I also made sure my evaluations of my own staff were clear and the staff being evaluated were clear on the expectations and process. We discussed the focus of student intervention and how we must use intervention on our own professional development to make sure we meet the needs of our very diverse populations.
When I visited my organization the H/R Department Vice President shared the document she created to evaluate her staff. We discussed the importance etc and I shared my newly aquired knowledge and perspective. She was very helpful in this discussion and gave me a rich background in her expertise in this area. I learned new strategies to take back to the workplace and feel more comfortable with the proceess.
My first visit was only a few hours but I look forward to the next visit as I hope to recieve a tour. My first impression of this organization is that it is a place people like to work. They feel invested and part of the greater good. I believe this contributes to the success of this company!
When I visited my organization the H/R Department Vice President shared the document she created to evaluate her staff. We discussed the importance etc and I shared my newly aquired knowledge and perspective. She was very helpful in this discussion and gave me a rich background in her expertise in this area. I learned new strategies to take back to the workplace and feel more comfortable with the proceess.
My first visit was only a few hours but I look forward to the next visit as I hope to recieve a tour. My first impression of this organization is that it is a place people like to work. They feel invested and part of the greater good. I believe this contributes to the success of this company!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Organizational Interventions
In researching organizational interventions I did not realize the important considerations for planning and performing. As we work in our own organization we become involved the the impetus of our particular situation and do not get the opportunity to reflect on interventions outside our environment. As we look into evaluating interventions for improvement the focus needs to be on objectives, procedures, and outcomes. As we work within our organization we must consider involvement of all stakeholders to make the interventions successful. As leaders we need to consider all viewpoints and be able to modify, redirect or change the intervention at any time. By evaluating and changing interventions can cause improvement.
The readings this week have given me the opportunity to reflect on my organization and the tasks I will be performing this week. I will be involved in instructional rounds, observation and evaluation. Prior to this point I have had meetings with all staff to be part of this process. We have set goals, reviewed language arts and math standards along with the 6 standards for the teaching profession. Dates and times have been set along with the follow up meetings where all observations will be reviewed and discussed. As I read the material for this week it clarified the importance of this process although I did not refer to it as an intervention.
Through the last round of observation I relied primarily on technology and took copious notes on my netbook. I did not focus on the teacher and discussed this with them ahead of time. My goal was to record as much as I could from the students and the teacher as the lesson occured. This was a very powerful tool because the information I later shared with the teacher was very empowering. For example: I was able to take a "snapshot" of a response from a child verifying the student understood the concept being taught. In preparing for this week the teachers are excited that I am not focused on them but on the students and the concept being taught.
In closing, I have made a few more attempts to contact my organization outside education. I recieved a call- back late Friday evening and was directed I will recieve a call on Monday to set up a meeting to schedule the intended visits. What I have learned so far is HR is a very serious position. I have had to really think about this as I believe my perspective can be reflected from my readings in Bolman and Deal. My assumption is HR is the human and sensitive side. From my experience I am changing that perspective and am more in tune with the seriousness and urgency in that position. I look forward to learning more about this department in my own organization, the one I will research and others in our cohort.
The readings this week have given me the opportunity to reflect on my organization and the tasks I will be performing this week. I will be involved in instructional rounds, observation and evaluation. Prior to this point I have had meetings with all staff to be part of this process. We have set goals, reviewed language arts and math standards along with the 6 standards for the teaching profession. Dates and times have been set along with the follow up meetings where all observations will be reviewed and discussed. As I read the material for this week it clarified the importance of this process although I did not refer to it as an intervention.
Through the last round of observation I relied primarily on technology and took copious notes on my netbook. I did not focus on the teacher and discussed this with them ahead of time. My goal was to record as much as I could from the students and the teacher as the lesson occured. This was a very powerful tool because the information I later shared with the teacher was very empowering. For example: I was able to take a "snapshot" of a response from a child verifying the student understood the concept being taught. In preparing for this week the teachers are excited that I am not focused on them but on the students and the concept being taught.
In closing, I have made a few more attempts to contact my organization outside education. I recieved a call- back late Friday evening and was directed I will recieve a call on Monday to set up a meeting to schedule the intended visits. What I have learned so far is HR is a very serious position. I have had to really think about this as I believe my perspective can be reflected from my readings in Bolman and Deal. My assumption is HR is the human and sensitive side. From my experience I am changing that perspective and am more in tune with the seriousness and urgency in that position. I look forward to learning more about this department in my own organization, the one I will research and others in our cohort.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Educational Diagnosis
As I reviewed, read and reflected on the readings assigned for the week I realized the tools I have learned to continue to grow in my profession. In the article, Organizational Diagnosis, they discuss establishing a purpose to a shared understanding of a system based on determining whether change is desirable. Without a shared understanding of the system, change would not be an easy outcome. Once all stakeholders share the same understanding programs can be developed and implemented with rigor and fidelity.When people consider themselves full fledged members of an organization they become part of the greater good and are tied to the cause.
When we think about changing social systems it can be accomplished with developing strong PLC's where communication and trust are well established. As I read on appreciative inquiry and action research I reflected on the research available and going on in my own organization. Trust has been fostered on my campus and teachers are involved in their own action research with their colleagues and have involved the student body. The energy going on as staff continue to bridge the educational gap is amazing! I want to continue to learn more about action research and the best way to develop and implement.
In closing, I have continued to connect with the organization I will be studying and doing a comparison/ contrast. So far, the presidents and owners of the organization have been supportive and inspiring. They have shared their feelings about education and have expressed interest in the support of higher education. They have given me access to the human resource department and we are working on an observation calendar. I was interested in the case study on HR consultants as I work with this HR department and look forward to comparing and contrasting my own organization. My goal is to have my first on site observation this week and one every week for the next four weeks.
When we think about changing social systems it can be accomplished with developing strong PLC's where communication and trust are well established. As I read on appreciative inquiry and action research I reflected on the research available and going on in my own organization. Trust has been fostered on my campus and teachers are involved in their own action research with their colleagues and have involved the student body. The energy going on as staff continue to bridge the educational gap is amazing! I want to continue to learn more about action research and the best way to develop and implement.
In closing, I have continued to connect with the organization I will be studying and doing a comparison/ contrast. So far, the presidents and owners of the organization have been supportive and inspiring. They have shared their feelings about education and have expressed interest in the support of higher education. They have given me access to the human resource department and we are working on an observation calendar. I was interested in the case study on HR consultants as I work with this HR department and look forward to comparing and contrasting my own organization. My goal is to have my first on site observation this week and one every week for the next four weeks.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Educational Culture
As we begin preparing to go into organizations outside of education a new lense has been created for me and allowed me to view my own job differently. For instance, I recently met with my grade level teams as we discussed the "urgency" in education as we get the students ready for the CST's. As we discussed this we compared it to the "urgency" from a retail corporation that has the staff members use "urgency" as part of the plan to keep production and sales high. The staff appreciated the comparison and it created many conversations that were inspiring as we discussed how to best prepare students.
Also, as I reflected on the upcoming observance of Martin Luther King and his famous "I have a dream" speech I had the ability to change my focus while still honoring this incredible leader. Rather than read and discuss the dream speech I did some research and found his " Education" speech. The speech was short, direct and dicussed why we do what we do. It had a very profound ending that stated, Teachers, Be Careful!" What I have learned so far in class has given me the ability to change and inspire others to do so as well.
I have contacted an organization and have had two conversations with the owner of the company. I expect confirmation tomorrow if we will be welcomed to observe in this field. I keep reflecting on the statement made last week in class of Highly Productive to Highly Destructive. So far I view this company as highly productive and am excited to learn ways to incorporate that mindset and focus to my own organization. The questions and questioning strategies will require organization and clarity.
Also, as I reflected on the upcoming observance of Martin Luther King and his famous "I have a dream" speech I had the ability to change my focus while still honoring this incredible leader. Rather than read and discuss the dream speech I did some research and found his " Education" speech. The speech was short, direct and dicussed why we do what we do. It had a very profound ending that stated, Teachers, Be Careful!" What I have learned so far in class has given me the ability to change and inspire others to do so as well.
I have contacted an organization and have had two conversations with the owner of the company. I expect confirmation tomorrow if we will be welcomed to observe in this field. I keep reflecting on the statement made last week in class of Highly Productive to Highly Destructive. So far I view this company as highly productive and am excited to learn ways to incorporate that mindset and focus to my own organization. The questions and questioning strategies will require organization and clarity.
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