Dr. Brenda Kay Williamson, a professor I had during undergrad whom I have the utmost respect for and remain in contact with to this day has excellent communication skills. Dr. Williamson uses educational quotes often. For example, “Imagination is more important than knowledge" (Albert Einstein). She imparted to us that, “every day is a day of learning.” Today, Dr. Williamson posted a link of the descendants of Frederick Douglass reiterating a speech he made to abolitionist on July 5, 1852, referencing July 4th, Independence Day. https://youtu.be/NBe5qbnkqoM. Dr. Williamson is a wealth of information always seeking out more and more to learn having information reach as many people as possible.
Dr. Williamson's rhetoric is memorizing to me. She uses all “six defining characteristics of communication, the symbolic nature of messages, the encoding and decoding of shared codes, the influence of culture, the sender’s perceived intentionality, the presence of a channel or channels, and the transactional quality of the exchange of messages” (O’Hair et al., 2018). While in her class she would always have us act out a way we would use different styles of communication by coming up with different scenarios we come across during our classroom endeavors.
This was the first time I was taught that if I ever had bad or uncomfortable information to deliver to a parent always lead and end with something positive to say. Due to time restraints sometimes verbalizing this while a parent is picking up or dropping off a child can be challenging especially if it can’t wait. I remember her saying, “Well couldn’t a letter do? Let’s remember there are multiple ways of communicating.” Dr. Williamson would go on further asking, “How should this letter or email be given to the parent?” She paid attention to detail which made a world of difference. She would ensure that all information was sent with pleasantries. If it was printed on colorful ruffled paper with smiley faces all over it with a piece of candy attached or; a different pleasant creative background behind an email every time one was sent. She would, “promote access to communication resources and opportunities as necessary to fulfill human potential and contribute to the well-being of families, communities, and society” (NCA Credo, 1999).
This was the first time I was taught that if I ever had bad or uncomfortable information to deliver to a parent always lead and end with something positive to say. Due to time restraints sometimes verbalizing this while a parent is picking up or dropping off a child can be challenging especially if it can’t wait. I remember her saying, “Well couldn’t a letter do? Let’s remember there are multiple ways of communicating.” Dr. Williamson would go on further asking, “How should this letter or email be given to the parent?” She paid attention to detail which made a world of difference. She would ensure that all information was sent with pleasantries. If it was printed on colorful ruffled paper with smiley faces all over it with a piece of candy attached or; a different pleasant creative background behind an email every time one was sent. She would, “promote access to communication resources and opportunities as necessary to fulfill human potential and contribute to the well-being of families, communities, and society” (NCA Credo, 1999).
I would certainly model someone like Dr. Williamson’s cognitive complexity because she utilizes various ways of imparting messages. There’s no presumption with effective communication you must see what form of conversing is best.
References
O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D.I., & Teven, J. (2018). Real communication: An introduction (4th.ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
· Chapter1, “Communication: Essential Human Behavior” (pp.1-25)
NCA Credo for Ethical Communication. (1999). Retrieved from
Hi Lewanda,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post about Dr. Brenda Kay Williamson. She sounds like an amazing professor to have had. Learning different ways to communicate with families is essential. Thank you for sharing!
You're more than welcome. Dr. Williamson also taught me to remember that everyone is suppose to feel valued and supported. I always try to be mindful of this with the families and children I serve and in all that I do. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteLewanda,
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that it is important to lead with something positive to say. When I was nervous about my first parent teacher conference that is the exact advice that my principal gave to me. It helped to remember that the parents that I work with want to know the good as well as the bad. Praise is important in communication because it can help when it comes to addressing problem areas as well.
Yes, indeed. Now that I am a parent I see why this is extremely important. If negativity is all that's spoken only negativity will be the conclusion. As a parent you also would like to see support rendered as well not just criticism.
DeleteI never would have thought to act out different forms of communication. That seems like a great way to practice skill sets.
ReplyDeleteYes, I always try to apply different forms of communication through project base work. By giving actions/activities to the examples I'm trying to teach helps children understand and apply it more through participation.
DeleteThank you for sharing your information about your Dr. Williamson. All the characteristics that you listed about her is a clear indicator that she is an exceptional communicator. I like your statement that She imparted to you that, “every day is a day of learning.” and having the class act out a way they would use different styles of communication by coming up with different scenarios you come across during our classroom endeavors is going above and shows that communication is transactional.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I remember my grandfather who only had a 7th grade education said the same thing Dr. Williamson said but in a different manner. He said, "Babygirl, the day you stop learning is the day you stop breathing!" In this, I try to make everyday a learning day because it's more than what I knew yesterday; transactional communication world wide.
DeleteLewanda, I enjoyed reading your post. I have also been taught that when you have hard conversations to led with something positive. I like how Dr. Williamson promotes access to communication resources and that information will help me when we return to the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the post, thank you. Dr. Williamson is the one who ignited the spark of Early Childhood Education in me. I am thankful to know such a person.
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