HOW TEACHERS CONTRIBUTE AGENTS OF CHANGE

Explanation:

Teachers play a key role in realizing successful changes in education. Among them are real ‘change agents’ at both classroom and school level. To obtain insights into what characterizes these teachers, an exploratory study has been conducted by interviewing external experts, principals, and teachers (n = 20). An analysis of data resulted in a picture of characteristics attributed to teachers as change agents. These characteristics pertain to lifelong learning (being eager to learn and reflective), mastery (giving guidance, being accessible, positive, committed, trustful, and self-assured), entrepreneurship (being innovative and feeling responsible), and collaboration (being collegial). The category mastery appeared to consist of the most characteristics. Within the category entrepreneurship, ‘being innovative’ was mentioned most. The characteristics mentioned apply to both the classroom and school level, but the importance of demonstrating these characteristics at the school level seems to be weighed less heavily by teachers than by experts and principals.

Keywords: teachers as change agents, teacher characteristics, professional agency, teacher change, primary education

Both persons and materials and/or innovations, for example Information and Communication Technology, can be referred to as 'agents of change'. Teachers who are actively involved in a joint achievement of something new, may be mentioned as 'agents of change' when they accomplish a desired effect (or change) at school.