Lived Experiences of Female High School Principals in Remote Rural Schools of One Southwestern State

• In Event: 68.060 - Roundtable Session 29
  In Roundtable Session: 68.060-9 - Teachers and School Leaders: Realities and Perspectives

Abstract

Although women are found in leadership roles in school districts more often and their contributions and experience are increasingly covered in the literature, a gap exists in researching female leaders in nuanced settings, particularly rural schools, which can be male dominated (Coleman, 2005). A need exists to understand the roles these female principals fill . This study captured the lived experience of four female high school principals of remote rural schools in one Southwestern State. Phenomenology methodology was applied to semi-structured interviews to make meaning of their lived experiences. The emerging themes from this study revealed that these principals recognized and worked through four factors in their leadership position: 1) Life-work, 2) Gender, 3) Rural community, and 4) Leadership.

Author

• Sheryl D Craig, University of Oklahoma