“Don’t I Belong?!” Asian Americans and Educational Leadership Development

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 10:50 am
  In Roundtable Session: And We'll Rise Up! Critical Perspectives on Advancing Leadership and Research in K–12 Settings (Table 40)

Abstract

Asian Americans’ perspectives and experiences in the K-12 educational leadership have been under-researched and under-theorized. Today, as the fastest growing population in the United States, their aspirations, experiences, and contributions can no longer be ignored in educational policy and research. Drawing on the AsianCrit framework, this qualitative study underscores the leadership development experiences of five Asian American teachers in one Midwestern state. Rejecting the stereotypes of Asian Americans being apolitical and asocial, the participants show interest and initiative in pursuing leadership roles. Conscious of racial stereotypes and biases as major challenges they must overcome in their leadership development, they also note gender, age, and socioeconomic status as playing an important role in shaping such aspirations and pathways to leadership.

Authors

• Jia Liang, Kansas State University

• James Sottile, Missouri State University