Protective Factors and Resiliency: How African American Women Overcome Barriers En Route to the Superintendency

• In Event: 54.080 - Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: 54.080-7 - Overcoming Gender Bias While Leading Education

Abstract

Four current African American women superintendents from urban and rural school districts in a Southern state participated in this case study. Their tenures as superintendents ranged from one to four years. The participants identified barriers they faced en route to the superintendency, challenges within their superintendency, and strategies they employed to overcome these barriers. They also provided their own definitions of resiliency. In addition, each participant shared advice for African American women superintendent aspirants to overcome barriers and hopefully, improve their chances of attaining the position. Further, the participants’ disclosures of strategies highlight ways that using protective factors is helpful in overcoming hardship and building resiliency. Various themes were evident in this study related to barriers in obtaining the superintendency.

Authors

• Francemise St. Pierre Kingsberry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Gaëtane Jean-Marie, University of Northern Iowa