Small School District Superintendents Building Inclusive, Collaborative, Democratic Communities: Using a Feminist and Generational Lens

• In Event: Research on the Superintendency SIG

Abstract

This paper provides opportunities for the reader to explore and examine her/his values and beliefs through the feminist (first, second, and third waves) and generational perspective of inquiry. Through the dual theoretical lenses of feminism and generational perspectives, we frame a leadership quandary of managing the tensions of building a more integrated, collaborative community that provides for the inclusion of multiple voices and various perspectives through tailored communication structures. Drawing from data from the UCEA Voices 3 Project from small and medium-sized school districts, we use data from superintendent focus groups to identify stories that illustrate the difficulty of creating a more inclusive, collaborative, democratic community given the diversity of stakeholders today.

Authors

• Debra J. Touchton, Stetson University

• Michele Anne Acker-Hocevar, Washington State University