For your blog this week, think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?
When thinking about someone who demonstrates competent communication I have to say my professor in my junior year of college, Dr. Jerry Herbert. I had the pleasure of sitting under Dr. Herbert’s teaching for a whole semester during my time as a study aboard student in Washington DC. I remember him possessing many of the principles outlined in the national communication association credo. The most dominate principle he displayed was that of promoting a communication climate of caring and mutual understanding that respected the unique needs and each of individual communicators (O’Hair, D.,Wiemann, M., et. al., 2015).
For example, I remember my time in the American Studies Program being very difficult, even traumatic at times. I was being bullied and ostracized due to my faith as a Christian. Dr. Herbert went to great length to work to make the environment less threatening to me by working diligently to promote a climate of caring and mutual understanding of all the parties involved. In doing so he also displayed the communication principle of condemn communication that degrades individuals and humanity though distortion, intimidation, coercion and violence, and though the expression of intolerance and hatred (O’Hair, D.,Wiemann, M., et. al., 2015).
It is because of Dr. Herbert effective ethical communication during what was one of the most difficult semesters of my college career that today we share a friendship that span 10 years and counting! Jerry, for modeling for me what effective ethical communication looks like! Today, because of Jerry’s example, I able to do the same for those children in my care who experience bullying and being ostracized because of their difference. I want to model my communication after Dr. Herbert’s because I remember how important it was as, well as healing, to know someone saw my pain and responded in kind. I want to provide the same support and protection to the children and families in my care.
References
O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J. (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s
Child-N-Mind:My Journey to Change the World 
Kehinde,
I am glad that you found a professor that helped you and mentor you along the way. This is very important in college, especially when you find yourself struggling; because many of us do not find that one person who can guide us along the way. Bravo, the that professor, because he took the time out of his schedule to help someone become more successful; and I am sure he is very proud of the fact that you have moved along very far in your education, and he helped to have a part in that movement.
That is what educators and education is suppose to be about.
April Finny