Microaggressions in Administrator Preparation Programs: How Black Female Participants Experienced Discussions of Identity, Discrimination, and Leadership

• In Event: 34.024 - Preparing and Supporting School Leaders in Multiple Contexts

Abstract

This qualitative study focuses on the administration preparation experiences of 10 black, female administrators. We find such discussions tended to be quite limited and focused primarily on whiteness. Participants were neither given space to explore their identities or experiences of discrimination nor to learn strategies to address it. Leadership was treated as “identity blind” and conversations regarding racial or gender differences ignored or silenced. In these ways, the programs perpetrated microaggressions with participants’ identities and experiences being excluded, negated, and/or nullified. Findings suggest work is needed to make administrative preparation programs more inclusive and to challenge discriminatory practices and norms.

Authors

• Jennie Weiner, University of Connecticut

• Daron E Cyr, University of Connecticut - Storrs