Equity as a Leadership Competency: A Model for Action

• In Event: Sustaining Antiracist and Abolitionist Leadership

Abstract

In Ontario Canada, principals’ work is guided by competencies which reflect the leadership skills and behaviours needed to successfully lead schools, improving student achievement and well-being. The problem is that this document ignores equity and anti-oppressive leadership behaviours. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB), introduced the notion of equity as a leadership competency and created an addendum to the current list of competencies. This addendum addresses the skills and behaviours required for principals to disrupt oppressive structures. A discourse around leadership for equity has emerged. What is missing is a pathway to transform this discourse into action. This paper presents a model of action which can be used to inform and guide the implementation of these competencies into practice.

Author

• Kenneth MacKinnon, University of Western Ontario
  Presenting Author