Document Type

Article

Version Deposited

Published Version

Publication Date

12-2017

Publication Title

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

DOI

10.13014/K24B2ZGC

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to better understand the role of gender performance for aspiring school leaders through a reflection of their journey through the administrative pipeline. The transformation of professional aspirations throughout and following the certification process and during employment was also analyzed. Also, the appealing factors of a nontraditional administrative preparation program were evaluated. Using heuristic qualitative methods, women graduates of and expedited certification for educational leadership program participated in focus groups and a select group returned for individual interviews. Coding was employed to analyze the data. Our participants entered into school leadership as a result of an external catalyst, a mentor, which inspired a process of self-empowerment that led to their pursuit of administrative certifications and positions. This process was cyclical. The nontraditional program and its appealing characteristics added to the realization of their current leadership positions. The recommendations we make in the areas of policy, research, and practice, each speak to a need for enhanced encouragement, by diverse means, of women school leaders at the national, state, and district levels.

Comments

The Journal of Women in Educational Leadership is an open access journal published by the Digital Commons @University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Download

Share

COinS