Creating a Sustainable Principalship: What Crises Reveal About the Sources of Principal Supports

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Leading Through Crises and Political Turmoil Within Racially and Economically Diverse Communities: U.S. and International Perspectives (Table 29)

Abstract

The multi-layered crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, has created more stress on educators, but little is known about how the effects of work intensification in turn affected school-based leaders. This study seeks to explore the varied types of support principals used in two states and contexts (charter and public schools) under the same historical phenomenon. Findings suggest that school leaders are resilient and find support but need more systematic opportunities of support. There were similarities across and within context that suggest leaders in multiple contexts would benefit from peer networks and technical support in their local context. Preliminary, selected findings are discussed. Implications for organizational practice and crisis leadership theory hold great significance for educational leadership.

Authors

• Lydia Gandy-Fastovich, University of Utah

• David S Woo, University of Utah

• Laura K. Rogers, University of Virginia

• Paul Riskus, Chicago Public Schools