Change is the only constant. – Heraclitus, Greek philosopher
Our world is changing fast and many European education systems are changing accordingly. This requires school leaders to lead changes as effectively as possible. Drawing from well-known change management models, the NEMESIS consortium partners have developed a new change management model especially for primary and secondary schools that want to become a NEMESIS school and therefore need to implement Social Innovation Education. This model will enable school leaders to plan and manage the implementation of the NEMESIS educational model, so that it can become part of their schools’ pedagogies.
The model focuses on the most important elements to implement sustainable change in schools. It will enable school leaders to get insight into the barriers to organisational change and how to tackle these barriers. This is important for a successful implementation of Social Innovation Education. The elements that play a central role in the model are:
- Inspiration: the ability to inspire
- Vision and strategy: ability to create a common understanding of the schools’
identity - Leadership: the ability to lead changes
- Community involvement: the ability to include the community
- Resistance to change: the ability to accept change and facilitate change
acceptance - Resources: the ability to allocate sufficient resources
The overall purpose of the model is that Social Innovation Education becomes part of the school’s identity and is supported by all school members. Their commitment is essential for the success of the implementation. A well-executed inspiration step will ensure that staff members are more likely to contribute to the new or adjusted strategy.
The NEMESIS organizational change model was tested by more than 100 school heads and teachers in whole Europe. This extensive testing approach has ensured that the model is well applicable and easy to implement in schools. In addition, the model takes into account the needs and possibilities of the target groups. During the development of the organisational change model, various supporting tools have also been developed, such as the change management guide and guidelines for school leaders. School members, not only school leaders, have to complete a questionnaire before the school starts with the implementation of Social Innovation Education. These questionnaire aims to give insight into the development areas of a school and serves as a starting point for discussions in a school’s management team about how to tackle barriers that the school still has to overcome. Participating schools in the NEMESIS project can also share their outcomes with project members after which they will receive advise on how to tackle the barriers.
Are you a school member and do you want to implement Social Innovation Education in your school? Feel free to surf the web and drop us a line (hello@nemesis-edu.eu) or fill our contact form.
Are you a social innovator who – as those mentioned here- would like to collaborate with a school? Click here for more info on how to become a mentor.