Becoming a Change Agent

What is a Change
Agent?

An educational change agent

is the individual who can bring
about positive, lasting change
for the clientele he/she
serves.
 Change Is Difficult!

Nevertheless, as an educational
leader you must know how to
bring about change.
Change Takes Time and
is Difficult

Time and difficulty involved in making various changes

 Types of Change Agents
The two types of change agents are
internal and external. Morrison
(2003, p124) states "Examples of
internal change agents are corporate
board members, CEOs, executives,
managers, and others in an
organization's work force. External
change agents include investors,
suppliers, community activists,
government regulators and even
consumers.
 Two Major Types of
Change Processes
Directive Change subordinates are are
ordered to implement a change. Often
seen in educational settings.
For example mandates from the legislature
Participative change
Informal leaders and formal leaders work
together to bring about change.
Bandwagon change - isnt really a change process.
It is done because everyone else is doing it.
For example: Fun Friday in schools
Connecting the Accomplished
Practices to Change Agent
Change can take place in every area; therefore
in every AP area. The most likely areas for
pre-service teachers to initiate change are:
Assessment uses rubrics, alternative assessments
Communication begins a classroom newspaper or begins
a program to call homes each day to just leave a short positive
message about the student

Diversity gives choices of assessment forms for ways

students can show mastery

Learning Environment begins cooperative learning

groups. Institutes Environment Circle Time where students help
solve environmental concerns in the classroom and on campus.

Planning establishes planning sessions with the specialists so

they can better support the classroom curriculum.

Technology begin using electronic grade, PowerPoint to

present material, start a class e-mail correspondence with a c
class in another state.
 Remember:
Bandwagon change does not last.

Participative change- has staying power.

Knowledge base established.
Reasons for change are shared with the group
True attitude change.
Participants are given time and reason to change their attitude
Individual behavior changed by choice.
Change is an internal rather than external decision. A true
choice
 Why is there resistance to
change?
Because of:
Habit This is the way weve always done things.

Comfort zone I like doing it this way.

Fear of the unknown It isnt (totally)

broken, so why try to fix it?It could be worse!!
 Disposition and Skills of
Effective Change Agents
Effective change agents:
start the change process with themselves
rather than with others
do not force change; they facilitate it
create their own enthusiasm
develop a plan for change
seek out and accept criticism of their ideas
are able to get others to buy into their
ideas for change
Change most likely will
be at the:
classroom or grade level for the
preprofessional teacher

grade or school level for the

professional teacher

district or state level for the

accomplished teacher leader
What is involved in developing a change
strategy?

Identify discrepancies between actual

(what is) and ideal (what ought to be).
Develop a written plan to reduce or
eliminate discrepancies between actual
and ideal.
Implement the plan.
Have realistic expectations on time
involved.