Developing Capacity for Leading Change in Rural Educational Contexts Through Simulation

• In Event: 28.080 - Navigating the Challenges of Rural Educational Leadership

Abstract

Building the leadership capacity of educators is a critical component of educational change. Rural school divisions experience unique contextual challenges related to the development of leadership capacity. Promising practices, such as game board simulation, have the potential to develop leadership potential, and spark educational innovation. Informed by critical constructivism, this qualitative single-case study sought to answer the following question: How does participation in a professional development board game simulation serve as a catalyst for developing leadership capacity in rural educators? Data sources included written participant and facilitator reflections, simulation artifacts, and follow-up interviews. The board game simulation was a valuable mediating tool for socially constructing knowledge. Participants learned the significance of time, order and process in leading system change.

Authors

• Cathryn A Smith, Brandon University

• Candy L. Skyhar, Brandon University