We have a need to belong

At the learning center, the students gathered from the morning, afternoon and evening classes for the year end barbecue and celebration. For most of the students they had not seen success in the mainstream education system but they valued education. The slide show of the year in pictures started and I watched as the students eyes lit up when they saw themselves, or their friends, laughter rang out as the years highlights flashed onto the screen. Welcome Barbecue, Halloween antics, Xmas with Santa, kayak trips, softball games, class work every month was highlighted. Students as well as teachers laughed and appeared to be excited about the slides. Awards were given out and students joined in the celebrations for the students who were being recognized. This could have been any school. At lunch the weather was not cooperating so the students lined up to get the food and raffle ticket and then returned into the common room to eat. As the lineup was not planned for the execution of the made up plan did not go smoothly and only then did I see a few students react by swearing and pushing. The teachers with a word and a look soon took control and peace was established. The students seemed to enjoy the lunch and were appreciative of the teachers and the staff who had helped them be successful.

These students felt like they belonged and worked hard to be successful to live up to the expectations of the staff and teachers. I was reminded of how important the need to belong is in all of us both youngsters and boomers.

Moving on part two

I have been at my new position for two days; interesting two days, a few items to deal with, which were not out of the ordinary so the work remains the same although  the location is different. I think you can get the measure of a place by the attitude toward the new person in the staff room. I was, of course, greeted warmly by everyone, but after that the conversation between members at the tables continued and I was basically ignored. One person took the time to try to engage in conversation and the effort was accepted. I may have been too tired to engage as I was going in for blood tests in the afternoon and was fasting and had been for 17 hours at the time lunch rolled around. The low blood sugar and my headache made me enjoy the fact I was being politely ignored.

I suspect that there has been a fair bit of team building with the group here, they are dealing everyday  with students who are on their last chance and the team although welcoming of new may be waiting to see if I can deliver and work with these types of students. They are also a young group and may be wondering what a gray haired older person has to offer. Little do they know :-0

Group dynamics is an interesting thing to observe when you are new, I like to watch the reactions of the group before committing myself to any one particular side or anothe and I am sensing in this new environment, that there are two or maybe three distinct groups  that have formed over time here. I have not yet been accepted by any  of them and do not think that will happen before I have to leave.