A Developmental Lens on Understanding the Preparation of Culturally Responsive School Leaders

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Cultivating Equity-Centered Leaders: Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders (Table 7)

Abstract

To create inclusive schools that challenge, remedy, and repair oppressive systems, school-based leaders must be culturally responsive. Culturally responsive leaders are critically conscious and value community epistemologies to effectively serve diverse student populations. Preparing culturally responsive leaders is of most importance. This qualitative study shares research on how participants (urban school-based leaders) enrolled in a culturally responsive university/district leadership preparation program, developed as culturally responsive leaders. Using a developmental lens, we noticed that their understanding of culturally responsive leadership advanced towards a self-authoring way of knowing. Participants began to take an activist stance as they explained their work as culturally responsive leaders. We also identified key program components that supported the participants' developing understanding of culturally responsive leadership.

Authors

• Shanna D. Anderson, Montclair State University

• Donna Volpe, Ramsey Board of Education

• Monika Sahal Tiwari, Montclair State University

• Rachel Garver, Montclair State University