Distributed Leadership and School Leaders: The Voices From the Field Project

• In Event: Park Central Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership Toward Improvement: Perspectives of School Leaders

Abstract

In a context of both changing student demographics and increased school accountability, the role of school administrators, already complex, becomes even more so (Crow, 2006; Rorrer & Skrla, 2005). This paper shares the voices and quandaries of school principals and superintendents and views their struggles and successes through the framework of complexity theory. Suggestions are made for distributed leadership and networking with colleagues within and across districts as potential avenues for managing the significant stress and workloads of school and district leaders in the midst of increasing standardization and demands on their time.

Authors

• Kristin L. Kew, New Mexico State University

• Maria Cristina Padilla, Central New Mexico Community College

• LeAnne C Salazar, New Mexico State University

• Karina Padilla, Rio Rancho Public Schools