Learning from the flight of the geese: The life stories of two female principals who lead in vulnerable contexts

2021 ◽  
pp. 089202062199431
Author(s):  
Cristina Cruz González ◽  
Carmen Lucena Rodríguez ◽  
Jesús Domingo Segovia
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Life Story ◽  
School Context ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Leadership Identity ◽  
Professional Performance ◽  
Female Principals ◽  
Challenging Schools ◽  
Determining Factor

This study describes the life story of two female principals who carry out their work in particularly challenging schools in the Spanish educational context. This work is part of two larger international (ISSPP) and national research projects that aim to study the professional identity of school leaders. In this case, our objective was to analyse the construction of a leadership identity when faced with the challenges of working in a difficult school context, and to identify the main strategies adopted to achieve educational improvement in such adverse situations. The findings reveal that leading with others – and not over others – was key to achieving change. Our participating principals developed a style of leadership that is distributed and oriented towards values of social justice in an attempt to eradicate inequality and discrimination in their schools. Being a woman was also a determining factor in this professional performance. Learning from ‘the flight of the geese’ was the essence of these professional stories, facing challenges with professional values of empathy, active listening, companionship, and commitment. Finally, we discuss the implications of this work for future research and professional practice.

scholarly journals Negotiating Identity of a Teacher and Teacher Leader in Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages: Evidence from Literature

2018 ◽  
Vol III (I) ◽  
pp. 279-297
Author(s):  
Sayyed Rashid Shah ◽  
Rooh Ul Amin ◽  
Hussain Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
School Culture ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Teacher Identity ◽  
Teacher Leaders ◽  
Classroom Teacher ◽  
School Context ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Leadership Identity

The aim of this theoretical paper is to understand the meaning of identity and it is shaping at the workplace. While focusing on teacher leaders’ professional identity, this paper examines the notion of identity, and its development in education settings. The notion of identity formation determines teacher identity formation and teacher leaders’ identity development in various contexts. The paper reviews literature on how teachers evolve their leadership identity as a result of personal characteristics integrated into external and internal factors. This assimilation contributes to the process of identity formation. Personal attributes include credibility as a competent classroom teacher, intrinsic motivation for leadership, ability to create a positive school culture, utilization of the past experiences and having knowledge of the field. Other factors include influence of context or school culture, professional support available at work, appreciation and guidance from senior leadership, leadership models or structures in schools, professional learning communities, campus-based professional development courses or programs, professional networking and collegial practices in the school. The reviewed literature also indicates that teacher leadership identity is an important aspect of teacher professional development, particularly in the UK and the US school settings. The review also brings up the significance of teachers as leaders and highlights how teachers shape their leadership identity while working in school context. As this review identifies lack of research on teacher leaders’ identity formation in TESOL contexts as well as higher education institutions, it concludes with suggestions for future research in the said field.

Development and initial validation of the Subjective Academic Wellbeing Measure: A new tool of youth wellbeing in school

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Gökmen Arslan ◽  
Murat Yıldırım ◽  
Silvia Majercakova Albertova
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
School Context ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Academic Functioning ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Gender Groups

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the preliminary development and validation of the Subjective Academic Wellbeing Measure (SAWM), which is a six-item self-report rating measure intended for use as a screening tool to assess the positive academic functioning of young people within the elementary and high school context. Exploratory factor analysis was performed with Sample 1 (N= 161), indicating that the SAWM was characterized by a unidimensional measurement model and had strong factor loadings. Results from confirmatory factor analysis, which was carried out with Sample 2 (N= 199), confirmed the measurement model by yielding good data-model fit statistics that were characterized by strong latent construct and internal reliability estimates. Further analyses showed that the scale had good convergent validity considering scores from several self-reported scales of student mental health problems and positive school functioning. Further analyses also showed that configural, metric, and scalar measurement invariance were observed across gender groups. These results provide initial evidence suggesting that the SAWM is a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess the positive academic functioning of students within the school context. Implications are discussed, and some suggestions are provided for future research and practice

(In)effective leadership? Exploring the interplay of challenges, goals and measures in the context of school improvement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Böse ◽  
Stefan Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
School Effectiveness ◽  
School Quality ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Context ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

PurposeThis study aims to explore the extent to which schools principals serving disadvantaged communities in Germany are able to set appropriate goals and choose suitable measures for improving their schools according to the specific challenges they face. The authors determine whether principals are able to identify their schools' challenges or whether they merely follow “universal recipes” of the school effectiveness research paradigm regardless of their particular school context. This effectiveness-driven accountability approach requires an in-depth evaluation of the school and its stakeholders and might lead to a new attitude toward failure that sees it as an essential part of developing effective school improvement plans.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted descriptive and correlative analyses as well as exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using longitudinal data of 164 school principals. Through cross-sectional analyses, the authors investigated the connection among challenges, goals and measures and how they correlated with (self-reported) improvements.FindingsFrom a leadership perspective, priorities for school improvement should be aligned with the school-specific challenges they identify and the goals they set to address them.Research limitations/implicationsThe extent to which legislation concerning individual school quality development programs can translate into feasible and effective actions is unclear. Caution should be taken when interpreting the findings of this study, as they reflect school principals' self-selected evaluation measures and therefore might be biased.Practical implicationsIn future research, emphasis should be placed on school management processes, in particular, the development of strategic decision-making, structuring of target perspectives and derivation of steps in school improvement and instructional development. The authors recommend the government offer school principals appropriate and adequate training and support services to prevent them from overburdening their staff.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to a deeper understanding of processes concerning strategic leadership, as opposed to operative management, of schools by revealing context-sensitive considerations.

scholarly journals قواعد السلوك المهني للمراجعة ودورها في تطوير الممارسة المهنية للمراجعة الداخلية بالمصارف السودانية

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-75
Author(s):  
د. حسن عوض حسن خالد
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Professional Ethic ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
Professional Performance ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Relationship

The problem of the study represented in lack of interest of some internal audit managements in Sudanese banks in implementing professional ethic rules of audit and to its advantages in developing professional practice of internal audit. The study aimed to encourage internal audits management in banks for implementing audit’s standards and professional ethic rules, study the relationship between professional ethic rules of audit and professional performance of internal audit and developing it. The study found several results, among which is that, the independence of internal auditor when planning for auditing distributes in developing professional practice of internal audit, the study recommended several recommendations, among which is that, need for increasing the awareness of internal auditors in Sudanese banks for internal audit’s professional ethic rules and its importance of implementing it.

scholarly journals Gossip and Reputation in Adolescent Networks

2019 ◽  
pp. 358-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorottya Kisfalusi ◽  
Károly Takács ◽  
Judit Pál
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Peer Relations ◽  
School Context ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Network Methods ◽  
Good Reputation ◽  
Practical Implications

Adolescence is an important age of development when collective norms emerge, social exclusion often takes place, and competition for reputation is relatively intense. Negative gossip is used with increasing intentionality to interfere in these processes. At the same time, being the object of negative gossip undermines chances to obtain good reputation. This chapter reviews the role of gossiping in the formation of informal status relations of adolescents. It provides an overview of theoretical explanations and empirical findings on how reputation and gossip are related with a special focus on the school context. It presents recent methodological advancements of social network methods used for analyzing the complex interrelated dynamics of gossip, reputation, and peer relations among adolescents. As an illustration, the chapter shows that malicious gossip leads to disdain while disdain induces malicious gossip in a longitudinal analysis of Hungarian secondary school classes. Finally, it discusses the theoretical and practical implications of our illustrative analysis and formulate suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals The role of culture in student discipline of secondary schools in cross-cultural context: a systematic literature review and future research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirma Sadamali Jayawardena
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
School Context ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Student Discipline ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe present study is a systematic review that identifies future research avenues on culture and discipline in secondary schools in a cross-cultural context.Design/methodology/approachThe literature, as published in top management, education and psychology journals, was reviewed around culture and discipline in secondary schools. This systematic literature review (SLR) used several preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and categorised the studies published during the period 2014–2020.FindingsThe author identified six major themes: (1) punishment, (2) restorative practices (RPs), (3) racial disparities, (4) competitiveness, (5) school climate and (6) secondary school student discipline in a cross-cultural context. Further, the author suggested several future research avenues under these emerging themes.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this study is limited to culture and discipline in a secondary school context. The findings provide a solid foundation for researchers in the areas of culture and discipline in secondary schools.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, this study can be considered as the first SLR conducted using PRISMA guidelines to identify several under-researched areas in the field of culture and discipline in secondary schools in a cross-cultural context. The study provides several future research insights.

Efficacy of a School-Based Comprehensive Intervention Program for Adolescents With Autism

2021 ◽  
pp. 001440292110625
Author(s):  
Kara Hume ◽  
Samuel L. Odom ◽  
Jessica R. Steinbrenner ◽  
Leann Smith DaWalt ◽  
Laura J. Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
School Context ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Educational Goals ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cluster Randomized Control Trial ◽  
Comprehensive Intervention ◽  
Cluster Randomized

We tested the efficacy of a comprehensive intervention program designed for high school students across the autism spectrum, the Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism (CSESA) model, in a cluster randomized control trial involving 60 high schools in three states (California, North Carolina, Wisconsin), with implementation occurring over a 2-year period. We examined outcomes for the schools, students ( N = 547), and families. At the conclusion of the study, CSESA schools had significantly higher program quality than the services-as-usual (SAU) schools. In addition, students in the CSESA schools had significantly higher total attainment of educational goals than students in SAU schools. There were not significant differences between the two groups on standardized assessment outcomes. We discuss implications for intervention implementation and future research with this population in the public school context.

Teacher Leadership

2015 ◽  
pp. 257-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Servet Özdemir ◽  
Ali Çağatay Kılınç
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
Teacher Leadership ◽  
School Context ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter focuses on teacher leadership, an important variable in the classroom and school improvement literature. The concept of teacher leadership has attracted increased attention in the past two decades. Teachers are assuming more responsibility for leadership roles and functions within schools. Despite the considerable amount of scholarly effort and time spent on investigating the teacher leadership concept, less is known about how it flourishes in the school context and how it relates to classroom and school improvement. Therefore, this chapter tries to shed some light on the teacher leadership concept and discusses its meaning, teacher leadership roles, factors influencing teacher leadership, the relationship between teacher leadership and classroom and school improvement, and future research areas on teacher leadership. Offering a framework for teacher leadership, this chapter is expected to contribute well to the guidance of further research on teacher leadership.

scholarly journals RETIREES’ MEMORIES OF WORK LIFE AND WELL-BEING AFTER RETIREMENT: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S309-S310
Author(s):  
Tina Hahnel ◽  
Sabine Hommelhoff ◽  
Hsiao-Wen Liao
Keyword(s):  
Life Story ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Workplace Relationships ◽  
Work Lives ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Meaning ◽  
Difficult Times

Abstract Reminiscence research has grown immensely in the past 30 years. Yet, research on personal memories of work lives is lacking. This is surprising because work is a crucial aspect of many people’s lives and an important life story chapter (Thomsen, Pillemer, & Ivcevic, 2011). Part of a larger project, the present qualitative study aimed to understand (1) what retirees remember about their work lives and (2) whether and how retirees tie those memories to their current well-being. Six in-depth interviews on lives before and after retirement (4 women and 2 men with different careers, age range 65 to 87 years) were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Findings of a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) revealed that participants reported both big and small stories. They first narrated landmark events (e.g., job loss after the Fall of the German Wall) and continued to recount many little incidents (e.g., a child asking an unretiring teacher if she is now "done with retirement”). Additionally, participants not only reminisced about work itself (i.e., what jobs were like) but equally about workplace relationships (e.g., particularly positive or negative relations with supervisors). Despite difficult times at work, participants reported that they were now at peace with how things went and generally satisfied with their current lives. We discuss how the type (i.e., big or small) and content (i.e., work- or relationship-focused) of retirees’ memories and positive meaning-making (i.e., recounting work lives in a positive light) may contribute to well-being and propose a conceptual model for future research.

scholarly journals It Takes a Village: The Role of Emic and Etic Adaptive Strengths in the Persistence of Black Men in Engineering Graduate Programs

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian A. Burt ◽  
Krystal L. Williams ◽  
Gordon J. M. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Black Men ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
Graduate Programs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Family Spirituality ◽  
Emic And Etic

Black men, underrepresented in engineering, constitute a missing segment of the population who could contribute to the global knowledge economy. To address this national concern, stakeholders need additional research on strategies that aid in Black men’s persistence. This study explores the experiences of 30 Black men in engineering graduate programs. Three factors are identified as helping them persist from year to year, and in many cases through completion of the doctorate: the role of family, spirituality and faith-based community, and undergraduate mentors. The article concludes with implications for future research and professional practice that may improve the experiences of Black men in engineering graduate programs, which may also increase the chances that they will remain in the engineering workforce.

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