Catholic school administrators are asked to undertake many roles and responsibilities as the academic, spiritual, and managerial leaders within their institution, in addition to other emerging responsibilities. Little research has comprehensively described the expectations placed on Catholic school administrators. Therefore, this qualitative…

Reading instruction has always faced a high-stakes battle between supporters of opposing methods for teaching a child to read. Many of the debates center on early reading instruction. Principals play a vital role in the reading programs at their schools. Therefore, this qualitative study, using a single-case study design to inquiry, aimed to…

The increasing number of teachers leaving the profession has put a serious strain on the education system, and principals have identified various strategies they implement which could impact teacher retention. Prior research indicated that school principals play a crucial role in the retention of teachers by developing a supportive school…

Women in the field of education are strongly represented in the classroom but are much less likely to become school district superintendents. For decades, women have continued to attain the top district leadership role at a rate of slightly less than one to four, compared to their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to understand how…

This qualitative, phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of principals regarding their pre- and in-service preparation to be instructional leaders for their English learner (EL) population. With the growing, diverse EL population in our schools, principals are often finding it difficult to carry out their roles as instructional…

The COVID-19 pandemic, political polarization, and racial reckoning are but a few of the challenges faced by U.S. independent schools and their heads today (Bassett, 2010; Juhel, 2016; Rowe, 2021b). This basic qualitative study sought to understand the challenges facing heads of U.S. independent schools and how these challenges inform heads'…

Exploring principals' experiences with early career mentorship is relevant to the overall success of schools. However, scholars explain there is more to understand about mentorship for school leaders. Guided by Kram's (1983) Theory of Mentoring, this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study explored how principals with recent mentorship…

This dissertation explored school principals' perspectives on optimal leadership practices and their impact on student achievement in Title I schools. Title I schools with high percentages of children from low-income families often face unique challenges, making the study of leadership practices within these institutions especially significant.…

A school's culture evolves over time and guides the ways in which those who interact within the school think, feel, and act. It is grounded in shared meanings, foundational beliefs, and value systems created by a school (Deal & Peterson, 2009). The principal plays a key and critical role in influencing and shaping school culture. The…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research was to better understand how the lived experiences of Missouri public school superintendents as they lead their districts and handle the stressors and opportunities of social media. The framework for this study centered Avolio and Gardner's theory of Authentic Leadership. Their theory…

This explanatory sequential mixed methods study examined factors relating to principal job demands, resources, satisfaction, well-being, and joy. The study investigated the relationship between the experienced duties of principals and the feelings of joy and satisfaction obtained. A literature review evidenced that a new generation of research…

Teachers in high-poverty middle schools need additional supports from administrators to build collective teacher efficacy. Supportive leadership is the driving force in leading collective teacher efficacy in high-poverty middle schools. A qualitative, instrumental case study was utilized to explore how teachers perceive administrative supports…

This study aimed to investigate and improve collaborative educational leadership to eliminate the barriers created by the lack of inclusive pedagogy and the deficit approaches to instructing students with disabilities, which together limit access to the general education curriculum and classroom in school districts in the Northeast. The Cycle 1…

The role of school principal, often deemed crucial for school success, is under strain due to high stress levels, isolation, and demanding responsibilities, especially in high-poverty districts, leading to a significant turnover rate. This study employed a mixed methods approach, involving an electronic questionnaire completed by 156 principals,…

Decreasing financial health damages an organization's reputation and economic viability to survive. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) leaders must strive to improve their financial health to protect their institution's reputation and risk of closure. Grounded in strategic enrollment management theory, the purpose of this…