Reflective Essay On Group Experience

Throughout our educational years we’ve all had experience being a group member. Whether this was a positive or negative group experience, it provided us opportunities for learning, improving, and communicating with others. My placements during my college years in the Developmental Services Worker program took this group interaction to another level where the significance of being part of team took on a whole new meaning as I applied my education to real life experiences and grew in knowledge and as a person. My team experience working with Autistic children in a classroom situation was a very positive one. I was excited that I would finally get to work with the children in the field I had chosen as a career. Staff welcomed …show more content…
I was excited and very nervous as I knocked on the front door. Would I meet the supervisor’s expectations, was I ready to handle the varied medical issues of the clients? Although the supervisor wasn’t there I was welcomed and introduced to the staff and felt somewhat reassured. However, I soon learned that I was not considered an integral part of the team, I had little input, and no responsibilities with the clients. Discouraged, I spoke to someone I trusted for advice on the situation. I decided to try harder to interact with the group and to be more proactive. I planned a baking activity to do with one of the clients as it would give us some one on one time, then approached my supervisor, who approved it. We enjoyed our time together and the client had fun. I loved my interaction with the home clients, and I loved spending time with them. I felt my time talking to and holding a nonverbal client’s hand as he felt a seizure coming on, was meaningful for both of us. Although I spent most of my time at this placement cleaning and doing housework on the plus side, these skills improved. Staff members were critical and sometimes didn’t get along with each other but even this taught me the importance of, putting aside our differences and learning to try to see another’s perspective. Part way through this placement the supervisor went on leave and the situation deteriorated, no one knew my capabilities or …show more content…
At the school placement, I was a welcomed member of a team dedicated to the students’ needs. I was encouraged to participate, my ideas valued and through open discussion and feedback I developed both personally and educationally. I learned through this team approach the importance of not making assumptions based on appearances or past experiences and how this approach enhanced the learning experience for all those involved. At the group home placement I wasn’t considered a team member, I was not included in discussions, nor were my ideas welcomed. I was just another student, some staff members actually didn’t even take the time learn my name. Even though this wasn’t a great work experience I still learned from it, primarily just how important team work really is. I learned to reflect on my role within the team and to put side any preconceived personal assumptions. Hopefully these experiences will make me a more effective team