Pathways and Promise: The Struggles, Triumphs, and Everything In Between of Female Superintendents of Color

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

While the percentage of black and brown students has steadily increased in the U.S., superintendents who lead public school districts remain mostly male and white. Women of color, though they have historically served well as superintendents, have experienced intersections of discrimination that have kept their numbers in the role disproportionately low. This symposium presents four research students conducted with Black and Brown female superintendents regarding their career pathway. Each one captures a different aspect of these women’s experience and the factors that led them to pursue, persist, and overcome in their goal of attaining the role of superintendent. Key policy implications are discussed for creating systems that facilitate a pathway to the superintendency for more women of color.

Sub Unit

• Division A - Administration / Division A - Section 5: Leadership Preparation Development

Chair

• Stacy Kula, Azusa Pacific University

Papers

• Leading While Black and Female: Factors to a Successful Career Pathway into the Superintendency - Katie Russell, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District

• Rooted in Faith: Latina Educational Leaders’ Use of Spiritual Capital as a Vital Resource - Susan Gándara Rowley, Covina-Unified School District

• Female Superintendents of Color: Perspectives on Mentoring - Teenya Bishop, Alvord Unified School District

• Aspirations: Systemic Influences on Women of Color’s Desire to Pursue the Superintendency - Dalia Gadalmawla, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Session Organizer

• Stacy Kula, Azusa Pacific University

Discussant

• Stacy Kula, Azusa Pacific University