Screw the Labels: It’s Time to Embrace Who We Are – A Fresh Take on Student Identity
By Zadie Walker, ThirtyThree 6
At ThirtyThree 6, we believe education isn’t just about teaching students what to learn; it’s about empowering them to discover who they are as human beings. That’s the heart of our “Developing a Healthy Sense of Identity” module from our CASEL-aligned Across the Marsh curriculum. It’s more than a curriculum and a program; it’s the blueprint for how schools approach self-awareness, empathy, and personal growth.
The Problem: A One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Identity
Let’s be honest: the approach used in most schools today isn’t working. Schools promote and celebrate external student achievements but rarely encourage or celebrate personal growth. Schools should encourage students to ask more profound, more meaningful questions, such as:
Who am I?
What defines me?
How do I see myself in the world?
Instead, students are boxed into labels: “Gifted,” “ADHD,” “At-Risk,” etc. While these terms may serve administrative needs, they often limit students’ potential. For those navigating the intersections of race, gender, class, and culture, these labels do more harm than good. They erase the complexity of their experiences instead of celebrating them.
The Solution: Identity as a Journey, Not a Destination
What if schools approached identity as a dynamic, lifelong journey? What if we equipped students with tools to explore their selves—past, present, and future?
That’s precisely what our Developing a Healthy Sense of Identity module does. Through real-world scenarios, self-reflective exercises, and creative projects, we guide students through the messy, beautiful process of discovering who they are.
But it doesn’t stop there. We encourage students to embrace the complexity of their identities and honor the stories that have shaped them and those they’re still writing.
This isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about fostering a generation that sees difference as strength and authenticity as power.
What Happens When Schools Embrace Evolving Identities?
When schools reject the notion that students must conform to predefined roles, remarkable transformations occur:
Students See Themselves Fully
Students develop a deeper understanding of themselves by recognizing that identity is nuanced and shaped by internal values and external experiences. A study in Educational Psychology Review highlights the crucial role of supportive educational environments in fostering adolescents' identity development.
Authentic Student Connections
When students engage meaningfully with one another, they break down barriers and challenge stereotypes. Research consistently shows that strong peer relationships enhance learning engagement, foster a sense of belonging, and improve academic outcomes.
Inclusive classroom practices play a key role in reducing stereotypes. Programs that challenge traditional gender roles, as highlighted by the OECD, encourage students to embrace more equitable identities and promote a culture of inclusivity.
Cooperative learning environments strengthen essential social skills such as communication and teamwork, creating a foundation for collaboration and connection.
A powerful example comes from Yirrkala School in Australia, where programs integrating social-emotional tools with cultural practices increased classroom participation and improved emotional regulation.
By prioritizing authentic connections, schools create inclusive and supportive environments where students feel seen, valued, and able to thrive.
Students Lead with Empathy
Valuing others' journeys builds communities rooted in understanding rather than judgment. Evidence-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs enhance students' empathy, social skills, and prosocial behaviors, creating inclusive and compassionate school environments.
Building Lifelong Skills
Tools like the Identity Roadmap Journal, SMART Goals frameworks, and role-playing activities allow students to explore their individuality while building social-emotional skills. According to the Learning Policy Institute, well-implemented SEL programs improve students' emotional well-being, behavior, and academic outcomes across all grade levels.
By fostering environments that honor evolving identities, schools unlock students' potential to see themselves fully, connect authentically, and lead with empathy—skills that prepare them for success far beyond the classroom.
Why This Matters Now
We live in a world that’s changing faster than ever. Social norms are shifting, cultural conversations are evolving, and students are growing up in an era of constant, conflicting messages about who they should be.
Education must rise to meet this moment. We can no longer afford to teach in ways that alienate students from their identities or discourage them from questioning the status quo. Instead, we must embrace curricula that reflect today’s diverse learners—programs that encourage exploration, honor individuality, and celebrate the beauty of becoming.
Be Part of the Change
The question isn’t whether we need to redefine identity in education. The question is: Do we have the courage to do it?
At ThirtyThree 6, we call on educators, parents, and policymakers to join us in providing our students with the additional resources they need to navigate the classroom and life beyond successfully. The Across the Marsh curriculum is just the beginning. Together, we can create classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to define themselves on their terms.
Let’s show students they are more than their grades, circumstances, or labels. Let’s teach them that their identity is theirs to claim—and that it’s okay to grow, change, and evolve.
The future belongs to those who embrace who they indeed are. Let’s give our students the tools to do just that!
Website: ThirtyThree-6.com
IG: @thirtythree6inc
LinkedIn: ThirtyThree 6
Ready to join the movement?
Click here to learn more about the Developing a Healthy Sense of Identity module. Together, we’ll redefine education—and redefine ourselves.