Am I Speaking Clearly?

  I remember learning in an education class during my bachelors program that we use different kinds of speak depending on the atmosphere and the people that we are around.  Thus to answer the question of whether or not I find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures, I would have to say yes.  I have found that when I am with my colleagues at school, I speak in  a professional manner.  When I am with my students, depending on the grade because I teach 4-8th graders, I speak differently.  With the upper grade children, I have to treat them as an equal and show that I am a real person just like they are.  The more that they see of me in a real role, the better relationships I can build and communicate better.  Often children who do not do well with other teachers flourish in my group because I treat them as an equal and with respect.  However, I can still joke with them and they feel comfortable joking with me.  These children are from a various of backgrounds, but mostly Hispanic.  When I speak with my friends from various backgrounds, Hispanic, African American, and Asian I get along with all of them, but again, in different ways.  Lastly, whenever I speak to parents or guardians regarding their children, I am professional, but also friendly to build a relationship with them.
   I typically get along with everyone, so communication is not an issue that I feel that I have to develop.  I would like to become more confident when speaking with or in front of my peers and with other adults.  I do enjoy the relationships that I have because they are all unique. 

Three strategies that will help me to communicate more effectively with all of these groups are to be aware of my non-verbal cues (not multi tasking, eye contact), making sure I maintain an open relationship with all groups, and to change my listening habits to become a more active listener.