Implementing change across an entire school requires a process which targets the root of the issue. School leaders often turn to in-service training to change the behavior of staff. While the training may affect the capabilities of staff, it does not alter staff behavior. Identity ties to a value system which dictates why we do things and drives how we do things which results in the observed behavior. Changing behavior requires leadership to foster a shared identity with staff. To jump-start change, school staff needs to be excited about the change. Leadership needs to set smaller attainable goals and celebrate successes to keep the excitement going. First, leaders appeal to an identity that drives desired behaviors. I decided to pursue a career in education because I want to educate and make a difference in children’s lives. I believe every child is someone's child. When teachers assume this identity, congruent actions follow. To promote the identity, teachers post a successful lesson, strategy, or project on a display board in the office. The teacher writes about the success, but more importantly, reflect on practice and the impact on student …show more content…
When I was a classroom teacher, I had a picture of my daughter on display in my classroom with the captions “Every child is someone’s child.” I’d ask all teachers to create a picture collage, saying, or quote representing why they began a career in education. For example, a first-grade classroom, a teacher at my school, has her first-grade project proudly displayed on her front wall. She saved it from when she was in elementary school. The project is a self-portrait with two sentences at the bottom. The second sentence reads, “I want to be a first-grade teacher because I want to help people like me.” An entire school with this type of reminders would be a powerful motivator for