Resilience: A Remedy for Women Superintendents to Navigate Challenging Times

• In Event: Transforming the Role of Educational Leader

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to explore the perceptions of women school superintendents in K -12 public schools in Texas about the challenges they faced as leaders during critical times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Polidore’s Resilience Theory (2004), the study sought to determine which of the nine resilience qualities helped to sustain the women superintendents during adverse situations. The nine qualities of resilience include: religion, flexible locus of control, optimistic bias, autonomy, commitment, change, positive relationships, education viewed as important, and efficacy. Implications from this study are far-reaching for any position in educational leadership. The results from this study may positively enhance the retention, sustainability, and effectiveness of both men and women who serve in the superintendency.

Authors

• Janice L. Taylor, Lamar University

• Sharon Ross, East Texas A&M University

• Kathryn Washington, Lamar University

• Kelly A. Brown, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi