Mediating Contentious Space: The Mediatory Practices of Principals Within the Context of School Gentrification

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: Leading in an Time of Neoliberalism and Resurgent White Supremacy

Abstract

There is limited research that highlights the practices of principals within the context of gentrification although principals are key actors in the vertical and horizontal mediation of neoliberal policies and possibly the gentrification of their schools. The purpose of this study is to explore how gentrification influences the policies and practices of elementary school principals and to consider the way they mediate the struggles that ensue as the demographic landscape of their school shifts. Anderson’s (2009) Ideological Mediation Model grounded in Horsford’s (2016) notions of black equality and white freedom served as conceptual lenses. Semi structured interviews were utilized to examine principals’ practices. Findings suggest that principals are in the precarious position of mediating the gap between equity and inequity.

Author

• Chy McGhee, The Catholic University of America