Leading Schools to Support and Integrate Children and Families With Refugee Backgrounds (Poster 1)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Two
  In Poster Session: Culture and Climate in K–12 Schools

Abstract

Millions of children and families with refugee and asylum-seeker experiences find themselves living in new countries, with different languages, cultures, norms and forms of schooling. For principals, it is often a challenge of integrating newcomer students and their families who are often suffering from trauma. This presentation shares the findings from a study involving school leaders in five English-speaking Western countries, who have created places of belonging for refugee families. Major findings from the research will be discussed including principals must learn to work within and sometimes against existing school policies. Principals should become adept at navigating the network of community support systems and resource. Our findings indicate many preparation programs do not equip principals for this challenging work.

Authors

• Scott R. Imig, University of Newcastle
  Presenting Author

• Maura Sellars, University of Newcastle, NSW
  Presenting Author

• John Fischetti
  Presenting Author