Leadership Accompaniment: An Evaluative Instrument in Support of the Practice

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 1:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Faith-Based Educational Contexts & Professional Formation

Abstract

Amidst a host of both institutional and societal challenges, ample evidence suggests that K-12 school leaders face high levels of job-related stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression (Doyle Fosco & Schussler, 2023; McHugh, 2023). The persistence of threats to school leader wellbeing manifests in educational contexts worldwide – including those leading religious schools. The paper draws on research conducted to develop an instrument aimed at assessing the extent to which accompaniment-based formation and support addresses wellbeing, collegiality, and mission for religious school leaders. The insights generated from the study aim at both contributing to the body of knowledge around the dynamics of supporting school leaders’ mental health and wellbeing in ongoing fashion for leaders of religious-based schools.

Authors

• John Reyes, Boston College

• Melodie M. Wyttenbach, Boston College

• Eric Roland, Boston College