Chat Transcripts

Topic

Chat Session 3

Date

2025-06-24

Group ID

0

Course ID

299587

User List

Byers, MichelleMcCann, LaciSoutthivong, LoriStudenski, Elizabeth{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}
User Timestamp Message
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:50:53 pmHello everyone! Happy Summer!!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:52:56 pmWe will be discussing our reactions and thoughts on four of our readings from this week, as mentioned in the syllabus. You might find it handy to have them available for reference during the chat.
Soutthivong, Lori06:55:06 pmGood evening I was another beautiful day!
Soutthivong, Lori06:55:16 pmit
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:56:28 pmYes, great to have summer starting out with grand weather!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:57:49 pmAs we are all arriving, let's each share on thing we are excited or proud about that we have experienced in our work this past week! *
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:59:11 pmI will share mine now! I have been developing some new tools for directors and enjoying working with Chat GPT to enhance and edit them. I use all my own research and writing but get some great additional assistance, which saves time!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:00:52 pmHI Elizabeth!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:01:52 pmWe will get underway in just a moment, please go ahead and share one thing in your work that you are excited about since our last chat.
Byers, Michelle07:02:09 pmWe ended our Minnesota unit with a fun family get together with popcorn, and games for all
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:02:48 pmThat sounds like a great family engagement activity, wonderful!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:03:35 pmLori and Elizabeth - have one to share?
Soutthivong, Lori07:03:58 pmThis past week maybe that it is our cleaning house week in all the rooms and everything looks and feels different with less clutter ... I do know I am excited for next week daycare will be closed.
Studenski, Elizabeth07:04:30 pmMy director and I tacked a HUGE organizing task. Feels good to get it done
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:04:51 pmAh, freshening up the center is always inspiring! You close next week - wow! A break for all!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:05:23 pmYes, it feels great to complete a huge organizing task - like a new day!!
Soutthivong, Lori07:05:25 pmYes everyone gets the week off. It is much needed
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:05:33 pmThanks for sharing those!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:06:37 pmWe had some great reading this week and we'd like to network around the concepts from four articles. First, Stages of Director Development - love this one because we all go through these stages!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:07:04 pmWhere do you see yourself today on this continuum of development? *
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:07:44 pmYou can also think about directors who work with or have worked with and observed them in these stages
Soutthivong, Lori07:08:31 pmThis was my a favorite since I will have 2 years in setpember. It tells me whats to come. It was enlighting.
Byers, Michelle07:08:35 pmI think I’m in between stage two and three. I’m able to tackle things that come my way with little support and help staff when needed without feeling overwhelmed being that I’m in year two I still have a lot to develop but also noticed I have mentored staff at times as well
Studenski, Elizabeth07:08:43 pmI am at stage one. I am not a manager or administration at my school
Soutthivong, Lori07:09:23 pmI am stage one and have a few feet in stage two
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:09:47 pmWhat do you think are common feelings of directors in stage one or early stage two? *
McCann, Laci07:10:08 pmI think I’m stage one
Byers, Michelle07:10:30 pmOverwhelemed
Soutthivong, Lori07:10:47 pmThere is a lot to learn and everyday it is something different that needs to be worked on
McCann, Laci07:11:14 pmThat’s what I was going to say overwheled
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:11:21 pmFeeling overwhelmed is quite natural at the beginning and sometimes when we take on a new role
Byers, Michelle07:11:46 pmI often feel anxious or oressured
Byers, Michelle07:11:58 pmPressured*
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:12:11 pmWhat do you think it might feel like in the more experienced stages? What might be different? *
McCann, Laci07:12:37 pmMore comfortable
Byers, Michelle07:12:59 pmMore control and confident in your decision making
Soutthivong, Lori07:13:07 pmLittle more relaxed, routine, more knowleadge
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:13:11 pmYes, more comfortable in the role, with the responsibilities - yes, decision making!
Studenski, Elizabeth07:13:16 pmsettled in, comfortable in their role, not as many questions rather resources to point to
Byers, Michelle07:13:17 pmQuicker thinking as well
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:13:53 pmHave you worked with a director or leader who is highly experienced and they make it look easy? What are they doing that is different? *
Studenski, Elizabeth07:14:36 pmthey can delegate
Byers, Michelle07:15:14 pmYes, they are organized and in the groove and have a good schedule that they can follow day to day. And they are able to give others more direction
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:15:22 pmContinuing to build knowledge certainly leads to competence and confidence. There is also no substitute for experience - we gain much from that!
Soutthivong, Lori07:15:49 pmCalm and confidence
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:15:59 pmWell said - yes, they delegate comfortably, in the groove describes it well!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:16:53 pmLeaders at all levels feel pressured, I just think that we take it in stride a bit better as we gain experience
Byers, Michelle07:17:28 pmAbsolutely
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:18:08 pmSo what thoughts do you have for moving from levels 1 or 2 and reaching the levels of more experience. What will you want to pay attention to and strive for as you move along? *
Studenski, Elizabeth07:19:00 pmopportunities for growth, constructive feedback from a senior leader, and courage to keep taking small steps
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:19:36 pmSince I have been in the director and owner position for many years, sometimes my staff would say that then I was in the role, I made it look easy. I took that as a great compliment and tried to think about how I got to that point.
Byers, Michelle07:20:13 pmI want to try and mentor staff more. When issues come along, help them problem solve and mentor them. I’ve already begun to get some practice on stage 4
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:20:28 pmGood points Elizabeth! Yes, opportunities, mentoring or working with experienced leaders.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:20:54 pmThat is great Michelle! Yes, we learn a lot by teaching others! 🙂
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:21:35 pmGreat thoughts! Let's move on to another article - "What is a Leader Anyway?"
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:22:49 pmShe discusses valuable traits for leaders and managers. Which skills do you see important for leadership and for management. We like to think that we lead people and manage information, finance, facilities etc.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:24:16 pmI know people who lead well without managing well - and vice versa! What do you think are the skills that separate these two areas - both important to success in the directors role? *
Byers, Michelle07:24:30 pmInterpersonal characteristics, having connection with your staff and relating to them.
Studenski, Elizabeth07:25:01 pmPersonal skills of integrity and being responsible
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:25:05 pmThanks Michelle - leadership skills and attributes!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:25:25 pmSo true Elizabeth!
Byers, Michelle07:26:01 pmRelatable. I think people who relate with staff can lead and mentor
Studenski, Elizabeth07:26:21 pmI liked how the article talked about taking the reasonability for the glory but also the mud
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:26:49 pmLet's each think of someone who demonstrates wonderful leadership attributes. Might be someone you know or someone famous. Don't need to say who they are unless you want to. Please share a few of the attributes that you admire!
Byers, Michelle07:27:21 pmStrong, confident and oersobable
Byers, Michelle07:27:37 pmPersonable*
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:27:48 pmI like that too Elizabeth - glory and mud!! 🙂
McCann, Laci07:28:00 pmOutgoing, confident
Soutthivong, Lori07:28:01 pmSelfless, welling to work where ever they are need, and treats everyone with respect.
Byers, Michelle07:28:33 pmLori, agreed. Being respectful to all and selfless are good attributes.
Soutthivong, Lori07:28:51 pmcommited
Soutthivong, Lori07:29:02 pmcommitted
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:29:16 pmGreat input everyone! I will add "good listener" to the list. Often when people mention people they like to be around, they realize that the person listens very genuinely
Byers, Michelle07:29:40 pmYes!
Soutthivong, Lori07:29:53 pm👍🏻
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:30:07 pmThese attributes, I guess we could also call them skills. How do we see that these skills can then be enhanced or developed? *
Byers, Michelle07:30:44 pmPractice what we preach
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:30:54 pmYes!
Byers, Michelle07:30:56 pmBe good role models
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:31:31 pmAwareness of how we come across helps us be good role models!
Soutthivong, Lori07:31:31 pm try to do the next right thing
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:32:01 pmI like that Lori! the next right thing! We can always stive to do that! Everyone can!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:33:53 pmIn the article "Straight from the Field" this week, JoAnn Spence talks about 11 "truths". Which of these do you identify as being especially important to develop and demonstrate in our leadership roles? *
Soutthivong, Lori07:35:25 pmDon't wait to act, and show your appreciation
Byers, Michelle07:36:07 pm“Just ask” I struggled for a long time to ask for help or delegate a task. I’ve slowly started getting better at it and feel good when people are willing to help. Also showing appreciation. It goes a long way when you recognize what others are doing. Staff and children love to hear when you say something kind that they did.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:36:44 pmAh, yes! Don't wait to act! We want to weigh options carefully when we make decisions and it is also important to take action soon, especially when we notice someone not performing well or safety standards not met.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:37:14 pmExcellent points Michelle!
Byers, Michelle07:37:21 pmMy founder also would tell me from time to time “focus on the big picture”. What are your goals, what do you want to see happen?
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:37:40 pm Asking for clarification and assistance are strengths! Experienced and talented people do it often!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:39:03 pmYes, what do you want to see happen! That is also a great point to make when staff or parents are unhappy about something that is going on. We often don't know what their goal may be or what they want. By asking, we can solve things and find solutions and agreement more quickly
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:39:23 pmOne more article to mention,
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:40:10 pmImproving Leadership and Management Practices and the Program Adminstration Scale PAS. Have you worked with that at all?
Byers, Michelle07:40:44 pmNo, this is new to me.
Soutthivong, Lori07:40:52 pmNo this PAS scale was a little confusing to me.
Studenski, Elizabeth07:41:13 pmNew to me as well
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:41:48 pmIt is an overall rating scale that includes quality of care and education as well as operations within the organization. Very helpful in reviewing all aspects of an early childhood organization. I just like to mention it. Can purchase a copy on Amazon or other book sellers
Byers, Michelle07:42:37 pmIt looks like it would be a helpful tool
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:42:44 pmBefore we go! I hope you are starting to work on your final assignment development plan. We would like to discuss those in our next chat and then they are due next week also.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:43:18 pmIdeas so far of things you would like to focus on in your plan? Can you each share one?*
Soutthivong, Lori07:44:10 pmCommunication, written and public speaking
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:44:24 pmWe have interesting reading this week too! One article by my good friend Pam Boulton from Wisconsin. Enjoy these!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:44:42 pmThanks Lori - great ones!
Studenski, Elizabeth07:45:08 pmThis plan has been hard for me to create. I am not in a director's role or on track to be one. I was recommended to take this course to gain leadership skills so I can mentor others.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:45:10 pmIn your plans, be sure to make notes on ways you see that you will continue to enhance the skills you want to grow in
Byers, Michelle07:45:20 pmI have not had a chance to look but will get that done
Studenski, Elizabeth07:46:07 pmI am more on a peer leader. No finance, policy writing, Business management, marketing.....
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:46:08 pmYou are a leader Elizabeth even if you don't see that in your title so much! Write your plan according to skills you would like to enhance to do the job you love to do!!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:46:26 pmA peer leader is very important!!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:47:17 pmThanks to all of you for your insightful discussion this week! I'll see you on the Discussion Board for our Week Four already!
Byers, Michelle07:47:34 pmGood night!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:47:38 pmEnjoy the grand days of summer! Play outside!! 🙂 Good night!
Soutthivong, Lori07:47:46 pmThank You and have a great week everyone