(In)Accessible Administration: Women's Career Experiences in Educational Administration

• In Event: Women as K–12 Leaders

Abstract

This study examines women’s access to educational administration positions. I conducted semi-structured interviews with ten educational administrators to understand women’s experiences from their own perspectives. This study found that access to educational administrative positions is gendered. Administrators shared how they can and do make informed career choices but that they and their peers also often interact with discrimination. Relationships and navigation emerged as key themes from conversations and social closure and social capital facilitated access to positions of power. These findings also suggest supply and demand side perspectives can concurrently operate, as evidenced by women’s experiences in accessing educational administration.

Author

• Katherine Merriweather, Austin Community College