Digital Commons Network^™

Race And Gender In The Leadership Experiences Of Three Female African American High School Principals: A Multiple Case Study, Angela Mosley Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this multiple case study was to describe how three female African American high school principals understand the influence of race and gender on their educational leadership experiences. The study focused on the professional background, barriers each informant encountered in her pursuit of a principalship, strategies utilized to facilitate attainment of a principalship, and leadership conceptualization. Through indepth interviews, rich narratives revealed how the duel oppressions of race and gender intersected the professional lives of the three principals involved in the study. The theoretical foundation for the study was black feminist thought as defined by Patricia Hill Collins. …

Transformational Teacher Leadership In Rural Schools, Kirk David Anderson

The Rural Educator

In this paper, the author explores the rural school context and its teacher leaders as a third transformational leadership prototype adding to Leithwood and Jantzi’s (1999) two transformational leadership prototypes of females and new teachers in the elementary school. The author helps illuminate new understanding of rural schools and their highly interactive decision making styles where teacher leaders are a source of creativity development of unique forms of leadership. If researchers focus on teachers as leaders in rural schools, specifically those who operate outside of traditional leadership roles, there exists a promising area of new understanding for educational leadership as …

Empowering Teachers As Leaders: A Hard Sell, Rochelle Goldberg Kaplan, Kevin Walsh, Hilary A. Wilder, Geraldine Mongillo, Christopher Mulrine, Dorothy Feola

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

Despite emphasis on preparing teachers as leaders, teacher educators realize that the transition of classroom practitioners into school leaders is fraught with many obstacles. This session addresses some of these obstacles, describes strategies and opportunities that we have used in our graduate master’s degree programs for teachers that support professionals as they make this change. The session will present evidence on the results of our efforts in terms of teachers’ performances within their programs and in the field after they graduate.

Program Coordinators Disposition Toward Educational Leadership Best Practices: Practicum Experience In Georgia, J. Eric Tubbs

Faculty Articles

The importance of field experiences in educational leadership was well documented in literature. However, scholars and practitioners disagreed on how field experiences should be provided to achieve the greatest effect. On the other hand, practicum efficiency and effectiveness were not assessed in the last ten years. Therefore, this study was designed to explore how field experiences are offered in the educational leadership programs (Master of Education and Add-On Program) in Georgia. Through data analysis, the researchers shared their observation of how field experiences in educational leadership could be enhanced in Georgia. Although the study was conducted in Georgia, the findings …

Preparation Issues In Educational Leadership, Wesley Hickey, Peggy Gill

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Educational leaders have chosen to belong to one of the most important and influential professions. Not only do educators have an important impact on others, but there is a need to have a practical understanding of instruction, curriculum, and psychology. Leaders in all disciplines often relate to previous educational relationships in discussions about important moments in their lives. These relationships matter, and they provide foundational experiences for each of us.

Principal Theories Of Practice : Mapping The Cognitive Structure And Effects Of Instructional Leadership, Gary W. Houchens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation builds on the work of Argyris and Schön (1974), who explained patterns of organizational learning using a concept called theories of practice, cognitive formulas for professional problem solving. Theories of practice consist of deeply held assumptions that logically imply certain action strategies. Argyris and Schön hypothesized that by engaging in deep reflection on assumptions and action strategies, professionals could develop more effective theories of practice based on alternate assumptions and action strategies. This dissertation explores the instructional leadership theories of practice of four successful school principals using a naturalistic, qualitative, multi-case design. Data gathering methods included interviews, observations, …

Service Learning And Its Effect On Students' Attitudes Towards Learning, William Thomas Conard

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine if students who participated in curricular service learning projects guided by a teacher would have significantly more positive attitudes about learning than those students who did service learning without the guidance of a teacher (community service)? A service learning project is generally defined as a thoughtfully organized community service experience than enhances what teachers have chosen as the objectives, standards and curriculum in their classrooms. Service learning projects focus on providing students with the opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that can be applied to real-life situations. The sample for …

Leadership In Indigenous Education, Nola Purdie, Jenny Wilkinson

Indigenous Education Research

This brief scoping paper was developed around the theme of ‘What’s happening in Indigenous leadership in education in Australian schools?’ A dual focus for this theme was noted: leadership for Indigenous education; and leadership by Indigenous principals and teachers.

The authors provide an overview of current issues in educational leadership that were derived, in the main, from papers presented at the 2007 ACER conference on educational leadership. Current offerings and opportunities in the area of Indigenous leadership and leadership for Indigenous education include those operating through the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC), principally through the Dare to Lead …

Hearts-On Approach To Educational Leadership, Russell H. Adams

Christian Perspectives in Education

Christian educational leaders come equipped with an arsenal of skills, talents, and beliefs rooted in their faith. The synthesis of faith in their daily lives or “hearts-on” approach provides them a solid foundation. Communication is the most important skill for an effective leader. This article provides an overview of the critical elements of communication and their potential impact upon educational leadership. Several communication styles and strategies are discussed and clarified by biblically-inspired directives.

Learning Leaders In Times Of Change: Academic Leadership Capabilities For Australian Higher Education, Geoff Scott, Hamish Coates, Michelle Anderson

Higher education research

This study, funded by Australia's ALTC for Learning & Teaching in Higher Education, has identified the capabilities that characterise effective academic leaders in a range of roles and has produced resources to develop and monitor these leadership capabilities. It has identified that the core focus for leadership in the current, highly volatile, operating context faced by our universities has to be on achieving effective change management and implementation.

How Distributed School Leadership Practices Are Implemented In A Rural Northeast Georgia Elementary School, Barbara Anne Setchel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent leadership literature calls for distributed leadership where the principal is not the sole leader in the building. Despite already being overloaded with classroom and other responsibilities, teachers are taking on leadership roles and school leadership is becoming distributed among many individuals. This study was an examination to discover how leadership becomes distributed in one rural Northeast Georgia elementary school recognized for its collaborative efforts to improve teaching and learning. A case study was conducted, and leadership practices were observed. Four questions guided this study: How is leadership distributed? What operational practices are in place so leadership can be extended …

Georgia Superintendents' Perceptions Of The Minority Achievement Gap, Thomas Watson Usry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine Georgia superintendents' perceptions of both the possible causes of and proposed remedies for closing the Minority Achievement Gap (MAG). Using a survey instrument developed by the author, the perceptions of Georgia public school superintendents are explored. This study codifies this information so that it is available for consideration by all superintendents interested in becoming more effective leaders and in closing the MAG. As chief executive officers of school districts who play crucial roles in the education of Americas children, superintendents play a major role in addressing all aspects of the MAG, yet …

Strengths And Talents Of Potential Administrators In Orange County Public Schools, Florida, Arthur Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the increased demands on principals and a shortage of qualified, acceptable candidates, school districts that have to replace principals are in a difficult position. These factors, combined with the importance that the principal role has in relation to student achievement, make the identification of potential administrators and the hiring process for new administrators a top priority for all school districts. This study answered the following two major questions; a) what characteristics or talents, as identified by the StrengthsFinder profile, did Orange County Public School principals in 2007 look for in identifying potential school administrators and b) what differences, if …

Staff In Australia's Schools : Teacher Workforce Data And Planning Processes In Australia, Susanne Owen, Julie Kos, Phillip Mckenzie

School and system improvement

This report forms part of the Australian School Teacher and Leader project which was commissioned by the former Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) in June 2006. The purpose of the project is to provide a detailed picture of the Australian teacher workforce and to gather information to assist future planning on teacher supply. This particular report focuses on longer-term approaches to workforce data and processes. The project also included the Staff in Australia’s Schools survey, a national data collection involving all States and Territories and school sectors..

Teaching Basic Counseling Skills To Aspiring School Leaders: Active Listening Skills As Critical Components Of Team Building And Collaboration, Paul T. Hackett, L. Christopher Ross, Irene Asuncion

Perspectives In Learning

The preparation of school leaders in educational leadership programs provides multiple challenges in terms of a set course of study with discrete skills for the leader. Programs in educational leadership have been criticized for curricular disarray (Levine, 2005). Deficiencies cited by an American Enterprise Institute study of 31 educational leadership programs found that a small percentage of instruction in those programs focused on issues such as data analysis, public relations, marketing, and parent and school board relations (Hess & Kelly, 2005). A Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) study of educational leadership programs found that the majority of universities “fall short …

The Perceived Trust Of Elementary And Middle School Principals And Leadership Attributes In An Abbott District In New Jersey, Eva M. Ogens

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Memory, Promise, And Imagination In Iraqi Kurdistan : Leadership In Education Policy Development, Jessica Lynn Jastad

Doctoral Dissertations

unavailable

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Servant-Leadership Behavior Of The Elementary School Principal, School Climate And Student Achievement As Measured By The 4th Grade Mathematics And Reading Michigan Educational Assessment Program, Ryan L. Cunningham

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what relationship exists between the servant-leadership behavior of the elementary school principal, school climate, and student achievement. Data were collected through the use of two survey instruments. The (Revised) Servant-Leadership Profile: 360 (SLP-R: 360), developed by Page and Wong (2000), was used to assess principals’ perceptions of their servant-leadership behavior. To assess teachers’ perceptions of the health of the school climate, the Organizational Health Inventory for Elementary (OHI-RE), developed by Hoy, Tarter, and Kottkamp (1991), was used. The SLP-R: 360 was utilized as a self-perceived leadership style inventory, and the OHI-RE was …

African American Parent Groups As A Context For The Activation Of Social Capital : A Case Of Parent Empowerment Through Transformational Leadership, Ajamu T. Stewart

Doctoral Dissertations

unavailable

Women College Presidents : Leading With Authenticity, Cathy Frances Corcoran

Doctoral Dissertations

unavailable

A Grounded Theory Study Of The Leadership Characteristics Of John F. Kennedy: A Leadership Model For Educational Leaders, Kanika D. Colvin-White

Theses and Dissertations

Adverse challenges in schools that distract from student learning have necessitated effective leadership more than ever before. These challenges include, but are not limited to, budget cuts, standardized testing, poorly trained teachers, poverty, and low parent participation. Every school year academic administrators approach the aforementioned challenges with the hope of improving student achievement. However, without effective practices to foster and sustain student achievement, often, their efforts are in vain. As school districts recruit and deploy leaders, it is critical to select those who have passion to foster positive change. It is equally important to hire administrators who possess those characteristics …

Evolving Learning: Educators’ Inner Experiences Of Engaging In Service-Learning With Undergraduates, Cara Meixner

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Evolving Learning: Educators’ Inner Experiences of Engaging in Service-Learning with Undergraduates is an exploratory, qualitative study of faculty members’ learning, growth, and development in service-learning contexts. Through two, interwoven forms of constructivist grounded theory – situational mapping and dimensional analysis – this dissertation brought voice to a once ‘private’ perspective, making explicit what all is happening as participants make meaning of their experiences engaging in service-learning with college students. A three-phased series of recursive, comparative interviews and concurrent analysis resulted in the development of a grounded theory best captured by a core, organizing perspective – evolving learning. This perspective is …