COVID-19 and the Impact on Public School Principals

• In Event: Leading Through the Pandemic: Serving Students Through Different Leadership Channels, Moving Online, and Mitigating Disruption

Abstract

This case study seeks to address how COVID-19 has affected principals. We approach this study through the lens of Open Systems Theory (Orren & Smith, 2013), as we attempt to understand how school leaders understand and act during a global pandemic. This research answers the following questions: (1) How has the role of a school principal changed since the onset of COVID-19? and (2) How has COVID-19 impacted school principals’ personal and professional lives? The data reveal the evolution of the role of a school principal during the pandemic from being the school’s primary leader to being a caretaker for faculty and staff. Participants noted the shift of their job responsibilities from being a campus leader to being a manager.

Authors

• Christopher Butcher, Eastern Kentucky University
  Presenting Author

• Todd McCardle, Eastern Kentucky University
  Presenting Author