Leading With Nondominant Communities: Disrupting Traditional Notions of Public Relations in Educational Leadership Courses

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Fourteen
  In Roundtable Session: Impact of Multiple Pandemics and Well-Being Factors on Leadership Preparation and Leaders' Longevity (Table 6)

Abstract

An enduring staple of Educational Leadership programs is a course on school and community relations. These courses are designed to address the public facing role of leaders who engage various constituents in an often politically demanding environment. We draw on our own course planning and subsequent teaching of such courses. The timing of the courses afforded the authors the opportunity to reflect on the best ways to prepare educational leaders to engage the public during a time of intersecting societal crises—namely the COVID-19 pandemic and protests calling for racial justice. We argue that these national and global events impacted the local issues and everyday practices of educational leaders in communities, schools, and districts serving a racially diverse student body.

Authors

• Rhoda Freelon, The Spencer Foundation
  Presenting Author

• Ruth María López, University of Arizona
  Presenting Author