Extending Social Justice Leadership Beyond the School Walls: Understanding Principal Community Activism

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eleven
  In Roundtable Session: Community Work in Social Justice Leadership (Table 4)

Abstract

Equity-minded leaders have a history of engaging in activism outside of their school to strengthen communities. This critical qualitative study using critical urban theory deepens existing knowledge in this area by investigating the types and goals of principal activism in a large urban district. Findings demonstrate three types of activism: reconnecting schools and communities; meeting ongoing needs of the community; and responding to political upheaval impacting community members. Additionally, principal activism had three related goals: promoting student success; embedding themselves in the local community; and increasing resources for their school. This research highlights the needs for researchers and preparation programs to understand how effective activist leaders recognize community needs and support those needs as viable means of socially-just school improvement.

Authors

• Jason Salisbury, University of Illinois at Chicago
  Presenting Author

• Meagan S Richard, Old Dominion University
  Presenting Author