Walking in Two Worlds: A Narrative Case Study of a Native American Woman Rural Principal

• In Event: New Perspectives on Leading and Teaching in Rural Schools

Abstract

Native American education has received many reform efforts with an increased focus on accountability. Rural principals that serve Native American communities already face low performance measures which make these increased foci and pressures more difficult to meet. In this narrative case study, the researchers sought to understand how Mrs. Scott, a rural Native American woman principal, navigates multiple cultures and roles within a small school community in Utah. Mrs. Scott’s experience illuminates the difficulty rural principals face as they navigate the isolation of rural communities. Through the lens of “walking in two worlds,” Mrs. Scott’s narrative reveals how she navigates effectively within two cultures - Native American and Euro-centric - and within multiple district/state expectations for rural school performance.

Authors

• Courtney Stewart, Utah State University

• Emma Maughan, Utah State University