Team Building and Collaboration

Being an educator requires us to work in groups regularly.  We work with our
colleagues and children’s families.  There is also the expectation of
continuous learning that allows us to work with other colleagues from
different areas through conferences, workshops, etc.  I have spent the
majority of my career teaching in the field of environmental education.  In
each of these positions, I was required to not only work with my colleagues,
but to live with them also.  Because of the uniqueness of such situations, a
great amount of teambuilding was necessary.  I have worked with 12 different
groups throughout my time in environmental education; some had team leaders
that guided us through the five stages of team development, and others were
not strong leaders and could not help our group dynamic. 

Throughout this time in my life, I was in a relationship with one of the men
in nearly all of these groups.  I feel that our relationship often offset the
group dynamic.  My ex was controlling of situations and expected me to take
his side; this often left other group members feeling as if it was he and I
against them.  This is not a positive way to work as a group and led others to
believe that they were not an intricate part of the dynamic because my ex
always took control and became very angry when others disregarded his
opinions, or confronted him.  This left those groups in the Storming stage.
We were in constant conflict and it was very stressful for the team leader,
who consistently had to intervene and also deal with my ex’s abuse.  These
groups were easy to leave.  I always felt ashamed of the role I played in them
and always felt as if they were highly unproductive. 

The groups that have been the most difficult to move on from have been those
that were successful and had clearly established norms.  In environmental
education, we developed as a group over the course of mere months, but by the
end we were like a family and functioned fluidly at work.  Things worked
seamlessly; others picked up where someone else had faltered and mistakes were
discussed and forgiven easily.  These were groups I was a part of on my own;
without my ex.  We were more capable of listening to one another and resolving
conflict without an overbearing member in the group.  In addition, I was able
to feel more connected to the rest of the group and not feel as though I had
to “choose sides.”  One of these groups was formed during a winter season in
Massachusetts.  We all lived in a nice house and spent all of our free time
together.  At work, we were able to try new ideas and work through them; if
they didn’t work we did not become angry with one another and blame each
other, and if they did work, we celebrated as a team.  No one was greedy with
the glory.  I think the greatest accomplishments of groups who are able to
reach the Performing stage, is that they are able to speak to one another
about any crisis they might be having, or any feeling of being “left out” and
truly feel “heard.”  This is important in a good group dynamic.  That group
was the hardest to leave; we had all grown to truly love and respect one
another and we worked together without effort by the end of our eight week
season. 

When in the Adjourning stage of a productive team, it can be very difficult to
say goodbye.  I think it’s important to celebrate the accomplishments of a
team.  One of the most memorable adjournment rituals I’ve had was with a team
in Massachusetts.  We had a three day workshop and teams from various sites in
our environmental education program had come together to learn from one
another, share stories, and celebrate.  At the end of the conference, we had a
big dinner together where each team shared the lesson plan that they had been
working on during the conference and gave a mock presentation of it.  We then
all shared our stories of working together.  We were able to laugh at our
mistakes and learn from our accomplishments.  We all shared dinner and a
bonfire afterward and then said our goodbyes in the morning.  I felt that this
was a great way to adjourn. 

When separating from my peers and colleagues after completing my Master’s
program, I feel that it will be difficult to say goodbye.  I would really like
to travel for the graduation ceremony, in hopes that I will be able to meet
some of the people that I have formed connections with over the course of this
program.  I believe that putting faces to names, celebrating together, and
building a deeper connection would be a wonderful way to reach the Adjourning
stage of this team.  It is important to have closure when working with any
team; to recognize our accomplishments, talk through our differences, and
celebrate moving on together.

References:
 Learning Center. (2011). How to build a team using vision, commitment, and trust. Retrieved from http://www.learningcenter.net/library/building.shtml