The Discursive Construction of Democratic Leadership by School Superintendents on Twitter

• In Event: Roundtable Session 42
  In Roundtable Session: The Politics of Education in Theory and Practice

Abstract

Social media tools have had a profound impact on the way organizations interact with outside constituents. The same is true for schools. Superintendents are beginning to utilize these tools to communicate with parents, develop learning networks, and advocate for educational policies. While emerging research is beginning to understand how superintendents develop networks and communicate with parents, little has been examined with respect to political advocacy. This is particularly important as we understand the traditional conceptualizations of the superintendency; particularly that of democratic leadership and communication (Callahan, 1964; Kowalski, 2006). Utilizing a discourse analysis, this study aims to understand how superintendents construct their roles as democratic leaders and communicators.

Author

• Todd Hurst, University of Kentucky