Relationship Reflection

Relationship Reflection

Having strong and positive relationships personally and professionally are so important.  My personal relationships over the years continue to connect me to the people I love.  My professional relationships help me to grow in the field that I am so passionate about.  I have many friendships, but the people closest to me are my family.  These are the most important relationships in my life.

I got married and moved away from NY when I was only 21 years old.   This is the one long distance relationship that I have maintained.  Sheryl and I met when we were just 13 years old.  We never see each other but still maintain a close friendship just on the telephone.  We only speak every few months but that does not seem to matter.  Every conversation feels like we just pick up where we left off and never miss a beat.  It sometimes can be challenging to maintain this kind of relationship as we rarely see each other.  Every few years, she brings her family to Florida and we have time for a short visit.  Sometimes it is hard because we are going through different things in our lives.  I was the very first to get married out of all of my friends, so my children are quite a bit older than hers.  The nice part of that and how I feel I am helpful to her is that I have already been through it.  I feel like I can offer some valuable advice. 

My husband and I have known each other since we are 16 years old.  I keep saying we raised each other.  This relationship/partnership is the one I treasure the most in my life.  We have such a strong and wonderful marriage.  David and I have been through a lot together.  We support each other through difficult times and share in the joyous times.  It is not always easy to keep up a healthy marriage.  It takes work and effort on a daily basis but worth every minute.  At times, it can be a challenge.  Especially when raising a family and maintaining a connection when you seem to be pulled in so many different directions.  It feels very much like that now.  School has been a bit of a challenge.  Finding time for everyone and everything in life is a balancing act.  Time management has definitely been an issue.  , I have to say that his love and support have been a blessing. 

My children and my oldest son’s girlfriend are important relationships in my life.  I have two sons both in college.  One is away at school and the other one lives at home with his girlfriend (who we love) with me and David.  It is so funny how our relationships have grown and developed as they are both now adults and we are all in college at the same time.  All of us have a strong relationship one of mutual respect and support.  Now of all times, I need a lot of support.  Jonathan, Ryan and Charlotte are constantly telling me how proud they are of me for making this decision to go back to school to earn my Master’s Degree.  There is a sign above my desk that says it all.  After countless sessions of the kids helping me get started with on-line classes and figuring it all out (blogging included).  It reads. “Above all, remember that you are doing a GREAT job.  You got this!”

My relationship with my mom is very important to me.  My brother passed away 6 years ago at the age of 36.  My dad passed away three years ago. He was only 67.  My mom and I are all we have left in my immediate family.  We were always close but now even more so. As I said before, I left home when I got married at 21 and moved away from NY.   She just moved to Florida from NY four months ago and it has been wonderful.  We are making up for the many years we have been apart.  It was hard being apart for so many years as I feel like she missed out on so much of my children growing up.  My mother has always been there to support me and give unconditional love.  I am just glad now to be together for all the special occasions and celebrations. 

My relationships at work are very important to me as well.  I work with an amazing young woman.  Her name is Ashley and she is right at the beginning of her career.  We have a wonderful friendship and partnership.  We were put together last year after my previous assistant teacher was moved into a different classroom.  We have a wonderful relationship.  We learn from each other every day and support each other in the classroom.  I feel as though I have been a mentor for her.  I see that she is growing and learning every day.  I know I am learning from her as well.  We make each other better teachers.  Other teachers have commented that we are such a strong team.  Ashley and I listen to each other share ideas and put together the best possible environment for our children to excel.  The challenge when working so closely with someone in the same classroom is melding into one cohesive team. 

My relationship with my supervisor at work is both a professional and a personal one.  Marcy and I are great friends outside of school and have a fantastic working relationship at school.  We are so close we travelled with a group including my mom and aunt to Israel last year.   Our challenge is keeping these two relationships separate.  I have always worried that other teachers would see our dual relationship and feel as though Marcy is showing favoritism.  I am never quite sure what others think and feel but the relationship works well for us.  She has always been my greatest supporter at school.  She has always seen my potential and strengths and helped me to build my skills as a teacher and most importantly self confidence. 

My experiences with relationships/partnerships, including my ability to be an active, reflective contributor has impacted my work as an effective early childhood professional.  I see how important it is to establish and maintain positive and healthy relationships.  I feel empowered and better equipped to build strong relationships.  Everyone is our lives teaches us something or makes us a better person.  I know I have learned and grown from everyone in my life.  I can see each passing year that my ability to relate and connect with families has improved.  It has not always been easy for me.  I can see that opening up lines of communication and having shared responsibility in the development of children only comes when parents and teachers establish a positive relationship.  The relationships you establish with your colleagues at work can only help to create a more enriching learning environment for students and families.