The Role of Administrator Support in Teacher Identity and Resiliency

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Social Justice Praxis

Abstract

Administrative support remains a crucial factor in teachers’ experiences enacting and asserting their identities. When supported, administrators can strengthen teachers’ efforts and experiences in navigating systems, identity maintenance, and resiliency within the field (Jarzabkowski, 2009). Conversely, teachers who face inauthentic/ absent support can be and feel isolated from their school communities, leading many to reconsider their retention within the field (Billingsley, 2004). This is particularly salient for teachers who choose to go against many of the commonsense notions of public schools and practice social justice. This presentation will describe the specific interrelationship between administrative support, teacher identity and resiliency. It highlights the critical role administrator support plays in either fostering socially just educators or in disempowering their work as teachers.

Author

• Carrie E Rood, SUNY - College at Cortland