"He's One of Our Security Guys": Diverse Leaders Navigating Diversifying Schools

• In Event: Park Central Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: School Leaders Navigating Diversifying Schools: Responsibilities and Approaches

Abstract

Although the percentage of non-White students in public schools is increasing, racial demographics among educational leaders are not keeping pace. This research uses critical race theory to examine the perspectives of eleven non-White educational leaders working in two rapidly diversifying school districts (30-40% students of color) in a predominately White Midwestern state. Findings uncovered four broad themes: social justice leadership, job responsibilities and support, perception by others, and district recruitment and retention efforts. These findings underscore the challenges faced by non-White leaders in a context representative of school enrollment patterns happening across the country. The voices of diverse school leaders are necessary to affect change in educator workforce recruitment and retention trends and to ultimately improve achievement for all students.

Authors

• Ain A. Grooms, The University of Iowa

• Dong Hoon Shin, The University of Iowa