Our Consejos for Theoretical, Empirical, and Conceptual Understanding of Latina Leadership

• In Event: Baila Conmigo: Mentoring Latinas as School Leaders

Abstract

In school districts across the country, the superintendent is the most senior leadership position. However, the number of women employed in the school superintendent role remains scarce, even though research supports the idea that leadership based on women's way of knowing can facilitate equity and more inclusive school environments. The position of the superintendent has also been the slowest of all PK-12 administrative roles to integrate women of color. In this context, the representation of Latinas in the superintendency has not kept pace with the growing Hispanic population being served in schools. In Texas out of the 1,144 school superintendents statewide, 911 were male, 233 females, with only 14 Latinas (Texas State Data Center, 2018). Similarly in California, out of 948 school superintendents, 551 were male, 397 females, and only 17 Latina (California Department of Education, 2018).
The in- sufficient representation of Latina superintendents is disturbing, especially since the demographics of schools are rapidly changing. According to the 2010 United States Census Bureau, 50% of all Hispanics live in California and Texas and 63% of Hispanics in the U.S. are of Mexican origin. The Hispanic student enrollment in California is 54% (California Department of Education, 2019). In Texas, Hispanic students account for the largest percentage of total enrollment at 52.4% (Texas State Data Center, 2018).
The origins of power readily align with the construction of social norms that have restricted Latinas from leadership roles in fields considered to be masculinized. In educational leadership, White males have historically dominated the top leadership position. Traditional school systems have been organized along a vertical and patriarchal model, where white males are more often at the top of the organizational structure with minority groups at the bottom.

With the rising number of Latinx students in school districts across the country, school districts need to seek school leaders who are representative of their community. This presentation provides a critical starting point for evaluating power dynamics in school systems which create barriers for Latina advancement and offers an alternative paradigm for promoting Latina leadership. These co-editors of the book which this presentation is based on highlight the voices of extraordinary Latina leaders, challenges the status quo, and will provide an essential framework for mentoring and nurturing Latinas into a career pathway that will pave the way for more equitable and just schools. . Lastly, we close the presentation with a few “consejos” for further consideration in this much needed field of research on Latina school leadership.

Authors

• Sonia Rodriguez, National University

• Noni Mendoza-Reis, San José State University

• Mariela Aime Rodriguez, University of Texas - San Antonio