A Principal Enacting Culturally Responsive Leadership for African American Male Students

• In Event: 64.071 - Social Justice Leaders Respond to Conflict and Resistance

Abstract

This case study explores one Title 1 school principal’s efforts to counter teachers’ hostile attitudes and behaviors toward African American boys through culturally responsive leadership. This article is part of a larger study centered on issues of promoting organizational cultural competence through district-wide professional learning. After one year of PD provided by the school leader, findings revealed that teachers: reconciled their misconceptions with shared values; experienced a narrowing of dissonance through introspective coaching; and, underwent a redefinition and revisit of the self. Principal classroom walk throughs, however, indicated some teachers’ experiences with African American boys reverted to caustic behaviors that challenged notions of respect and dignity.

Author

• Miriam Deborah Ezzani, Texas Christian University