Education Commons^™

Increasing Parent Faith Engagement At A Parish School, Grace Mazza Urbanski

Journal of Catholic Education

Increasing faith engagement among Catholic school shareholders is a priority for school leaders. Catholic school communities can learn from this year-long project with a parish school. Sacred Heart Parish School serves approximately 300 K3-8th grade students. Like many parish schools, Sacred Heart sees a growing number of parents disengaged with the faith life of the parish and school, despite 98% of them being registered parishioners. The parent population enjoys robust and regular social activities, but report they are uncomfortable or uninterested in faith activities. The mission of Sacred Heart Parish School is to nurture “children’s growth in the Catholic faith,” …

Leadership, Service, And Wicked Problems: Impact Of War, Lack Of Funding, And Covid-19 In Service Of Those With Fewer Opportunities, Ruth V. Akumbu

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

As the world and organizations struggled to overcome the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, I, the Founder and CEO of Plant A Seed, also known as Plant a Seed Africa, used this chaotic period to assess and address issues facing the organization. Multiple challenges are addressed, including the pandemic, financial, political, and leadership. I created a new leadership strategy that switches between pacesetting, visionary, and transformational leadership styles. The new organizational change model will use the 5-F or Plant A Seed 5-F model.

Leading And Mentoring Women In Stem: Mitigating Gender & Microaggressions, Lilicia Bailey, April Curry

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Microaggressions, behaviors that can be nonverbal or verbal, can occur when individuals “communicate negative, hostile, and derogatory messages to people rooted in their marginalized group membership (based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality).” This statistic, according to the Institutional Transformation program at the University of New Hampshire,¹ is in alignment with what researchers indicate regarding microaggressions, asserting that they can be “intentional or unintentional” can occur daily, and are unacknowledged (Making the Invisible Visible: Gender Based Microaggressions, n.d.).

We consider the various types of microaggressions, specifically those based on gender, and assess the effect it has on women in leadership …

The Pathway Forward: Uncovering The Barriers Faced By Women Police Chiefs, Michael Llamas, Amor Roma, Tianshi Hao, Wendy Perkinson, Kayleigh Axtell, Anshu Lal, Jesse Llamas

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Women have encountered many obstacles in their quest to gain leadership in law enforcement. While research has studied how well women officers strive to achieve higher-level positions within police departments, the challenges women face when they gain top leadership roles remain largely unexplored. This research paper will discuss the unique challenges faced by women police chiefs, drawing from first-hand experiences of women police chiefs and existing literature. The study finds that women police chiefs encounter challenges in communication, transferring to a new department, overtasking, introvertedness, and general police chief stress. The study also finds that women police chiefs implement ways …

An Analysis Of The Rising Xenophobia Against Asian Americans In The U.S. And Higher Education Regarding The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Shiqian Zheng

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

This paper analyzes the cause of anti-Asian hate, the rising xenophobia against people with Asian origins, as well as the vaccine distribution and governmental leadership. By conducting a short case study on universities’ leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States, this paper contributes to the literature regarding Asian Americans overall, as well as to the literature on approaches to a public crisis on hate crime in higher education in the United States.

The Reluctant Feminist: Angela Merkel’S Cautious Leadership, Ls Gaiek, Marlyn Garcia

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Abstract: What does it mean to be a modern feminist global leader today? Global leadership research is growing, but less research focuses on female leaders, even though the 21st century thus far contains a significant rise of female leaders. Angela Merkel’s infamously historic reticence and aversion, concerning speaking about feminism, irrevocably dissolves in an interview in January of 2019. This interview offers a glimpse into Angela Merkel’s cageyness, and provides an intimate insight into her circumspect perspective concerning feminism. This article aims to explore barriers and challenges to Angela Merkel’s rise as a global leader, how crisis forged and …

Curriculum, Instruction, And Leadership As A Practice Of Reflexivity In World Language Education: A Systematic Review Of Literature, Jerry L. Parker

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This article presents the findings of a systemic review of research published by Robert C. Lafayette. Lafayette was a French teacher and teacher educator who worked to revolutionize the teaching of world languages through his articles, books, textbooks, grants, conference presentations, and other scholarly work. To uncover the value of his work in today’s language schooling, this study examined 17 of his articles and book chapters. Using content analysis methodology, the findings of this study concluded that his work contributed mainly to our understanding of curriculum, instruction, and leadership in world language education. His scholarship also provides world language teachers, …

The Anatomy Of A Crisis: Law Enforcement Leaders’ Perspective On Police Enforcement, Kayleigh Axtell, Jesse Llamas, Michael Llamas, Amor Roma

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Although law enforcement in the United States has faced past challenges, it is currently facing unprecedented crises. Previous research has shown that police officer retention and recruitment rates are diminishing, causing ripple effects throughout the U.S. police departments (Bowman et al., 2006). This study examines the anticipated challenges that law enforcement leaders face in lieu of the current social and political climate. The study uses a grounded qualitative theory and a phenomenological approach to understand participants’ experiences. Police chiefs and sheriffs were interviewed to get a leadership perspective on the anticipated challenges. The leaders described that challenges expected in the …

Challenges And Strategies Of Virtual Team Leaders: A Global Overview, Kayleigh Axtell, Suelen Schneider Demaria, Mitchell Gurick

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) have become a common practice utilized in most organizations necessary for business continuity and as a result of forced remote work due to factors such as global pandemics. GVTs are characterized by unique traits which enable the team to achieve goals. Studies show that GVT needs should be addressed at the outset of working together in order to ensure better results. The methodology used for this study was qualitative and employed where a phenomenological, descriptive approach was implemented. Interviews were utilized for collecting data on GVTs. Evidence from the research showcased that GVT attributes such as …

The Potential Of Catholic Schools: Public Virtues Through Private Voucher, Joseph Prud'homme

Journal of Catholic Education

Recent US Supreme Court cases signal a likely increase in calls for K-12 school choice programs that include the option of enrolling in religious schools. In turn, criticism of religious school-inclusive school choice programming is likely to shift to policy and values-based critiques. This article addresses two allegations of Catholic primary and secondary school deficiencies in achieving objectives important to a pluralist society, allegations that would invalidate indirect state support of Catholic schools. By analyzing the aesthetics of Hans Georg Gadamer and Aristotelian moral theory in light of American Catholic schools’ potential, this paper rejects claims that Catholic education is …

A Phenomenology Of The Job-Related Experiences Of Early Career Catholic Elementary School Principals, Sarah K. Kerins, Lucinda Spaulding

Journal of Catholic Education

This qualitative phenomenology investigated the job-related experiences of early career Catholic elementary school principals (N = 13) in the Mideastern region of the United States. Data were collected from an introductory survey, semi-structured interviews, two focus groups, and a participant designed plan for professional development. The findings indicated that Catholic elementary principals in their early career are motivated by a calling to a vocation in Catholic school leadership as well as the ability to develop and implement a vision for their school. Principals reported being challenged by limited resources, balancing the demands of the position, and navigating relationships. Finally, principals …

Preparing Priests To Lead Parish Schools: Concerns And Recommendations, Thomas A. Simonds S.J., Timothy Cook, Max Engel, Ronald D. Fussell, Jean Hearn, Jerry Meyer

Journal of Catholic Education

Canon law recognizes the pastor as the chief educational officer (CEO) of the parish school. However, recent studies demonstrate that seminaries do not prepare seminarians for work in or leadership of Catholic schools, and recent scholarship also demonstrates that an increasing number of seminarians lack the desire to lead a parish school. Our research study examined the post-seminary preparation of priests for leadership of parish schools. We also explored alternative governance models for Catholic schools. We conducted structured interviews with 10 national leaders to explore these two areas of interest. Our findings demonstrate that preparation of newly ordained …

Empowering Teens To Make A Difference In Their At-Risk Community, Lisa Rothenburger, Alayne Torretta

The Journal of Extension

When identifying problems and creating solutions that support the community culture of health, youths provide a unique perspective. This article describes how staff from Somerset County, NJ 4-H partnered with staff from Middle Earth, an at-risk youth service provider, to organize a group of teens who identified and implemented projects that affect the health and wellness of their community of Bound Brook, NJ.  Extension professionals can replicate a sustainable and synergistic youth-adult partnership by creating the opportunities, making the initial connections within the community, and following the 4-H club model to ensure teens experience the essential elements.

A Qualitative Follow Up Of The Maguire Fellows Program, A. William Place, Kevin Clapano, Robert H. Palestini

Journal of Catholic Education

This qualitative follow up sought the impressions of students after a two year program. The analysis of this data involved grounded theory qualitative methods. The primary means of data collection for the qualitative portion of this study was through digitally-recording and transcribing of participants’ voices in response to individual interview prompts. Seven themes emerged from the first interviews which included 1). Perceptions of leadership, 2). Changing perceptions the Jesuit ideas Magis/cura personalis, 3). Changing perceptions of social justice, 4). Perceptions of Motivation or desire to lead, 5). Catholic identification, 6). Theory to practice, and 7). Suggested changes to the program. …

Reimagining The Classroom Experience

Business Exchange

This article discusses innovative approaches to teaching business subjects, including using the principles of improvisational comedy to teach business leadership, using a game to help students learn to uncover financial fraud, and working in technology-enhanced classrooms.

Leading Organizational Learning, Jessica C. Wells

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Leadership is hard to define but easy to recognize and is found in every facet of life. Leaders themselves range from good to bad, the extremities of which are determined by their character, actions, perception of self, how they are perceived by others and their worldviews. An individual’s values provide the basis for ethical decisions, which makes self-awareness a critical element in the development of one’s leader identity. This article provides an overview of leader identity development and offers ways for leaders to apply ethics in their everyday lives.

Leadership Styles Of Superintendents In The Developmental Disability System In Ohio, Kristine Hodge Edd, Karen H. Larwin Phd

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

The county boards of developmental disabilities in the state of Ohio have experienced significant change in vision, mission, programs, services, and funding over the last several years. In times of vast change, the ability to successfully lead an organization becomes challenging. In an effort to identify the leadership behaviors and styles of superintendents of county boards in the changing environment, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form 5X ([MLQ Form 5X], Bass, 2007) was administered and analysis was conducted. The most common self-identified leadership style is transformational, followed by transactional and laissez-faire Implications of this study support the transformational leadership style in …

Navigating The Uncharted Pandemic Waters: An Examination Of The Role Of The Catholic School Superintendency In Response To Covid-19, Andrew Miller, Melodie Wyttenbach, Ronald James Nuzzi

Journal of Catholic Education

The management of multiple dilemmas became a norm overnight for Catholic school superintendents navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as they quickly moved to making decisions that would have long-term effects on the system of schools they led. This paper attempts to make sense of the new educational dilemmas that have confronted Catholic school superintendents during these past several months. Utilizing the 2019 framework for navigating and managing professional dilemmas in educational leadership (Spillane & Lowenhaupt), we explore educational dilemmas Catholic school superintendents face during this pandemic. We show in this paper that Catholic school superintendents have drawn on their professional expertise …

Book Review: Reclaiming The Piazza: Catholic Education As A Cultural Project, Anthony Sabatino

Journal of Catholic Education

Review of Reclaiming the Piazza: Catholic Education as a Cultural Project (2014) by Ronnie Covery, Leonardo Franchi, and Raymond McCluskey

Introduction To The Focus Section: School Leaders And Contemplative Practice, Merylann "Mimi" J. Schuttloffel Phd

Journal of Catholic Education

Introduction to the Focus Section

The Journey From Welcoming To Belonging: Stories Of A New Principal In A Latino Community, Corena Marasco

Journal of Catholic Education

From Catholic education’s inception in the United States, Catholic schools were established for the immigrant population and the leadership was successful at building enrollment with the high European immigrant populations. At this point in United States history, Catholic education is in need of innovative change, especially in regard to attracting the Latino community, the largest Catholic group, to Catholic schools. In this study, I detailed my own journey as a new, first time, first year, Catholic school principal in a 100% Latino environment, where I was welcomed by a Latino community, eventually leading me to a deep sense of belonging. …

¿Es Su Escuela Nuestra Escuela? Latino Access To Catholic Schools, Father Joseph V. Corpora, Luis R. Fraga

Journal of Catholic Education

In this essay we use the framework of ideas, interests, and institutions to analyze the opportunities and challenges that confront Latino families and Catholic schools as they work to increase Latino enrollment. There are many ideas as to what to do to increase Latino enrollment. It is also apparent that it is in the interests of both Latino families and Catholic schools to have greater Latino enrollment. Despite the challenges of putting these ideas and interests into practice through institutional transformation, there is clear evidence that successful efforts continue to be made to increase Latino enrollment. Nonetheless, this progress seems …

Clarifying The Public-Private Line: Legal And Policy Guidance For Catholic-Affiliated Charter Schools, Kari A. Carr, Janet Decker

Journal of Catholic Education

In the past fifty years, the share of students enrolled in U.S. Catholic schools has declined from approximately 12% to 3%. In reaction, many urban Catholic schools have closed and subsequently reopened as public charter schools in order to receive governmental funding and to increase enrollment. As public schools, these Catholic-affiliated charter schools now face a complex set of legal and practical challenges. This article presents empirical research on Catholic-affiliated charter schools, and the legal issues facing them as well as the wider category of religiously-affiliated charter schools. The authors conclude by answering a number of questions that Catholic school …

National Catholic School Standards: Focus On Governance And Leadership, Lorraine Ozar, Patricia Weitzel-O'Neill

Journal of Catholic Education

The recently published National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS) (Ozar & Weitzel-O’Neill, 2012) provides Catholic school educators and stakeholders with research-based criteria for operating a mission-driven, program-effective, well-managed, responsibly governed Catholic school. The standards serve as the framework within which discussion of Catholic school governance and leadership must now take place.

Contemplative Leadership Practice: The Influences Of Character On Catholic School Leadership, Merylann "Mimi" J. Schuttloffel

Journal of Catholic Education

There is a clear understanding that leaders of faith-based educational institutions shape the school community’s culture in ways that assist in faith formation. This implicit and explicit focus on faith formation and an alignment with the broader mission of the Catholic Church is foundational to contemplative leadership (Schuttloffel, 1999, 2008). Contemplative leadership practice presumes that a leader’s character, shaped by her/his communities, life stories, and virtues, is a necessary quality for making decisions that contribute to a school’s Catholic identity. Using qualitative research methods, this study explores leadership practice within Catholic schools in Australia, England, and the Netherlands, in order …

Ethical Leadership: Guiding Principles For Educators And Administrators, Mary P. Sullivan

Christian Perspectives in Education

Rooted in Biblical principles, this discussion of eight values associated with ethical leadership will provide educators and administrators with “food for thought” as they adopt their own personal code of ethics or guiding principles on which to base their leadership style.