Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the concepts and behaviors used by elementary school principals and teachers in Local District E elementary schools of the Los Angeles Unified School District that expand elementary teachers' resiliency for change. A second purpose was to determine strategies used by elementary principals to expand the resiliency for change among his or her teachers. Methodology. The research design used in this study was descriptive, which allowed the exploratory study to describe concepts, behaviors, and strategies used by principals to expand resiliency for effective change. The rationale for selecting descriptive research was its effectiveness for assessing opinions, conditions, demographic information, procedures, and activities employed by principals and teachers associated with resiliency. Findings. The research for this study recognized the importance of teachers' behavior and attitudes and their influence on students. Teachers' caring behavior and attitudes are demonstrated by showing an interest in their pupils, maintaining high expectations for them, and showing respect to them. Treating students with a challenging curriculum, praising their small gains, setting goals and benchmarks, and making all students feel valued are behaviors and strategies recognized by the community and the school's students, parents, and staff. When teachers provide the opportunity for students to take responsibility for their own learning, the students are learning to become resilient and independent thinkers. Recommendations. The researcher for this study recommends that principals recognize their strengths related to attitudes and motivation to improve community and stakeholder involvement, as well as involve the community in addressing procedures for reversing at-risk behaviors. Professional development should include resiliency factor discussions to promote an understanding of the psychological constructs that affect the collective thinking of principals and build capacity. Finally, the researcher recommends that the principal monitor the school's climate and organization while observing characteristics of students that need to be changed from at-risk to resilient behaviors.