Team Building and Collaboration, Part 1

This week we have been discussing the different teams we have been a part of and how the group worked out as a team. I have not been part of a group or team in several years and the team I have talked about this week was not a very good one. It was mostly my lack of leadership knowledge and knowing my teacher assistants places in the classroom. In regards to adjourning within this team it was not difficult to leave the group and there was no celebration of a successful project completed. All we had successfully obtained was an appropriate environment for the children on our own terms, in our own ways. We each gave something different to the classroom but it wasnt together as a team. 

I would imagine that working with a team that one is close with and the team itself is successful and effectively collaborates would be difficult to leave, especially if you have formed deep bonds. The last time i really worked in a group was in college getting my BS which was like 5 years ago. I can barely remember the interactions and team work. I do not remember the team being that close even though we succeeded in whatever our task was. I would thing that if the project was really challenging and was successfully completed it would make leaving the group difficult. When the team members form strong bonds a closing  ritual of some sort i think would be best to achieve closure and celebration of the successful team work. 

At the end of each class we post a blog to our fellow classmates thanking them for their camaraderie and input towards our development of learning. We may also post specifically on certain individuals blogs a closing statement. We show appreciation and respect towards each others knowledge, insights and hard work.

Adjourning is important because it is a type of closure from one path to another, kind of like when a relationship ends, you want to know why it ended so you can move on. Adjourning gives you the finalization of the team and project and the means to continue on your separate ways with the possibility of new friendships. Adjourning is the time to reflect on all that was learned, the relationships formed and the goals that were accomplished.