Identity in the Classroom

Session One introduces educators to the Identity Impact framework by defining true identity and false identity and establishing a safe, connected learning environment. Participants learn and practice a process that will release emotional burdens through truthtelling. The session concludes with reflection, questions, and a practical classroom application, inviting educators to model truth-telling and vulnerability with their students as the foundation for identity-centered transformation.This opening session sets the groundwork for all future learning by establishing shared language, trust, and experiential understanding of identity-centered transformation.

In Session Two, educators deepen their experience with the Truth-Tell and Burden Exchange, practicing the process with peers and reflecting on how Love/Truth transforms burdens. This session introduces a new experiential tool for guiding children to discover their true identity. Participants explore how discovered identities develop and grow over time, and are nurtured in community. Each participant will engage in an activity, and share insights with the group. Emphasis is placed on transferring these strategies to the classroom, helping students recognize and embrace their true identity while building connection and resilience.

Session Three introduces the Separation vs. Connection World Story, a tool that helps educators and students understand how their worldview shapes responses to stress, adversity, and learning. Participants explore how a separated worldview rooted in scarcity and “not enough” drives fear, perfectionism, and self-protection, while a connected worldview fosters resilience, creativity, and a sense of “I am enough, and leads to becoming other focused. Through guided reflection and breakout discussions, educators examine how they currently operate in connection or separation and consider practical ways to shift toward a connected worldview in themselves and their students. The session concludes with strategies for transferring this paradigm to the classroom.

Session Four helps educators identify the “false self” in themselves and their students. After sharing testimonies and reinforcing identities, participants are introduced to the False Self visual tool. The session explores self-protection versus self-promotion, helping educators recognize which pattern shows up in their own lives, especially under stress. Through breakout discussions, participants share insights, practice the Truth-Tell and Burden Exchange, and reflect on how Love/Truth transforms lies and burdens. Emphasis is placed on teaching this concept to students and applying these strategies in the classroom, enabling youth to recognize and challenge false-self patterns. With this foundation, classroom culture can begin to shift dynamically by layering the tools learned in Weeks One and Two.

Session Five introduces a new skill, the Conflict Map, a simple yet powerful tool that helps educators guide students from surface behaviors to the underlying lies driving self-protection and self-promotion. The session begins with testimonies and then walks participants through the Conflict Map questions. In breakout groups, educators share their experiences and reflections before reconvening to highlight insights with the larger group. The Conflict Map incorporates the lie-for-truth exchange and guides students through emotional regulation toward peace and creative problem-solving. Participants will practice this tool in session and be prepared to implement it with students immediately.

Session Six introduces Joyful Connection, a tool that leverages the science of joy to nurture identity formation and cultivate connection in learning environments. Participants explore how joy strengthens resilience, reduces stress, and reinforces true identity in themselves and their students. Through experiential exercises, educators practice a joy process to deepen their own sense of identity and share meaningful memories in breakout groups. The session also includes a Truth-Tell and Burden Exchange, highlighting how Love/Truth transforms lies and burdens.

Note: For the week-long 5-day cohort, this session will be woven into the other 5 sessions.