Other Duties as Assigned: Black Female Principals and Burnout in the COVID Era

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Fourteen
  In Roundtable Session: Impact of Multiple Pandemics and Well-Being Factors on Leadership Preparation and Leaders' Longevity (Table 6)

Abstract

School districts across the country are experiencing a mass exodus of teachers and administrators, while those who stay, struggle to maintain the level of productivity needed to lead our schools and ensure a high-quality education for our Nation’s children (DeMatthews et. al., 2021). One of the largest sub-groups leaving the field of K-12 educational leadership are Black women (Brown, 2014; Wilkerson & Wilson, 2017) which has been exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper engages Black Feminist Theory to explore the causes of burnout for Black Women Principals across rural, suburban, and urban contexts. This qualitative study calls attention to structural barriers to leadership development that illuminates development strategies that support leadership retention.

Author

• Racquel L Armstrong, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author