Self evaluation with Peer Evaluations; EDUC 6165-6

After taking the evaluations and comparing my results to those of my two peers, I was pleasantly surprised to see that in each of the categories my results were the same as those that assisted in the project and completed the task.

In the listening styles profile, it was said that I am "empathetic and concerned with the emotions of others.  This listening style helps you to build relationships, but it can interfere with proper judgment because you tend to be very trusting of others."  I thought this to be accurate, as I do build relationships quickly by listening and understanding, although I never considered that it would cause a lack of judgment as I believe I am able to listen intently but also decipher between what is factual and what isn't.  Seeing that my two peers had the same responses, I will need to consider this and remove myself from given situations at times and review if this is accurate. 

In the Verbal Aggressiveness test, in all reviews I received the same response.  "You maintain a good balance between respect and consideration for others' viewpoints, and the ability to argue fairly by attacking the facts of a position rather than the person holding that position" I am relieved that my peers thought this of me, as I try very hard to be respectful and considerate of their thoughts, opinions, and if I disagree on a topic to disagree on the facts instead of a person's view.  Within my professional life, handling indifferences like this assists in a more healthier work environment.  My struggle at times, within my current employment, is that my knowledge at times is beyond that of others (as I work in a county run program within a child development center.  I am required to hold higher degrees than those that work in the day care side of the facility.  Without putting down their experience and trainings!)  When there are disagreements, tempers flare and emotions are brought into discussions and usually there isn't a resolution instead more hurt feelings and gossip that runs so deep.  Lately, my thought has been "how can I help to make the work place one that people can respect others' views and accept the differences then work from it?"

It's always a great experience to see how others relate and accept your personality.  Being able to accept criticism and decipher what areas in our professional and personal life could use some adjustments will only help to make us each better communicators and people.

Uplifting Research Stories - EDUC 6163-6

Share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families: Perhaps you can provide real-life examples of research benefits to children and/or families; maybe you are familiar with stories of people who have been positively affected by research; or you came across a published research article concerning children or families which you find exciting and would like to share with your colleagues.

Personal Reflection

I memorized each of the road signs on the highway like the back of my hand by my senior year of college, not from bi-weekly visits home.  But instead by the distance traveled so frequently to see my niece that was passing away from a very rare disorder.  A disorder that would take away the privileges of a mother and father watch their daughter take her first steps, go to Kindergarten, graduate high school, and walk her down the aisle to be married. 

I recall my sister taking her to urgent care when Alie was only 2 months old.  Urgent care rushed her to the ER.  The ER rushed her to Children's Hospital by air.  And within a matter of hours, my sister sat hearing news about her daughter that changed our lives forever.  Her husband, then serving our country in war, heard about it through skype.  Can you imagine?  No, I can't!

At the hospital we were told that Alie would probably not make it to be 3 months old.  It was that moment that life became, do whatever you need to do in order to keep her alive.  Try whatever you need to try to keep her alive.  Through these studies and research trials, Alie lived to be 16 months old.  My senior year of college, I spent 3 months driving home twice a week thinking "this is the last time I am going to see her."  Horrific.

While a cure has not been found for Alie's disorder, we were given a gift of an extra year that the doctors didn't think we would have due to research studies and explorations.  While some research benefits are monetary, when you are a family of a loved one that has been diagnosed with an incurable disease; some research benefits become another breathe.