Politics of Education an Autoethnography: One Professional Educator's Experiences in School Board Candidacy in the South

• In Event: A Closer Look at Qualitative Research Methods Employed in the Research on Women and Education

Abstract

The landscape of advocacy in education is influenced and shaped by several factors, including cultural and social contexts, constitutional frameworks, and political will. Political activism by educators is constrained in Southern states, like Texas, where tradition and expectations continue to be characterized by a White, male dominant culture, conventional manners, and conservative values. Utilizing an autoethnography research method, this research examines what happens when a female, professional educator engages in educational advocacy through candidacy of a school board position. In the State of Texas there are 7090 school board members but only 2,301 are women. This study highlights the barrier and challenges women face when running for local political office.

Author

• Amber Wagnon, Stephen F. Austin State University