This research study, using institutional theory as a framework, examines the role of superintendents in promoting and impacting innovation in Virginia's public schools. The study engaged fourteen current Virginia superintendents in semi-structured interviews, exploring their perspectives on fostering an innovative culture within their school…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to investigate how novice rural principals in the Southwest United States describe mentorship as providing career and psychosocial support that influences their work as leaders. This study used Kram's mentor theory as its foundation. Two research questions regarding how novice rural principals…

Background: Education seems to be in a state of constant change, though change initiatives rarely make it to the classroom in the manner and scope intended. Despite positive intentions and an enormous allocation of resources--money and time--the classroom has historically been buffered from the change context. A concrete manifestation of this…

This qualitative study examines leadership challenges and lessons learned from 27 months of crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic as described by educational leaders in an urban public school district. Interviews were conducted with sixteen public school administrators: the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Assistant Principals…

The lack of learning transfer is a significant issue facing many organizations across the United States. Senior leaders and managers must be ready to support the development of their employees to see an increased return on investment. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to explore how employees perceived the…

Schools are complex and dynamic systems that require innovative leaders who are willing to invest in classroom teachers by giving them opportunities to lead beyond the four walls of the classroom. Because principals play an integral role in the academic achievement of students in their schools, it is incumbent upon principals to invest in teacher…

Literacy disparity is a widespread problem for schools across the country. Children with reading difficulties are present in every school in the United States. Although literacy is the foundation of all academics, many students lag behind regardless of their socioeconomic, racial, or gender status. There is mounting pressure on schools to produce…

This study uses the path-goal theory of leadership and the model of organizational performance and change as theoretical lenses to understand the impact of strategic job identification, competence training, and leadership development practices on higher education institution's organizational performance and high-performing employee's intention to…

Despite the research of Chief Diversity Officers in K-12 educational setting being limited, these DEI-focused professionals have become a recent emergent practice in Connecticut school districts. Informed by the research on Chief Diversity Officers in corporate organizational and higher educational structures, this phenomenological study aimed to…

This study aimed to identify the factors that affect the job satisfaction and retention of special education teachers. The researcher sought to determine the factors affecting job satisfaction and retention among special education teachers in the Midlands of South Carolina and suggestions for improvement within those areas to assist in retaining…

Universities rely on Department Chairs as faculty, middle managers, and leaders. Chairs' professional development, which includes leadership training, can help them build the efficacy to tackle the demanding tasks required by the role. However, Chairs typically receive little to no preparation. This convergent parallel mixed methods study found…

The intent of this study was to examine how school leadership influences teachers' instructional capacity using action research cycles. Understanding leadership roles and how best to meet the needs of teachers through school-level support and professional development can assist in building teacher capacity. In an adequate leadership capacity,…

The culture of a school influences how people think, feel, and act -- whether that be expressed as positive or negative behavior (Barth, 2002; Peterson, 2002). Research shows that teachers are more inspired to instruct and students are more motivated to learn in schools that foster a positive culture (Barth, 2002). Conversely, schools with…

This qualitative study utilizes Latina/Latino Critical Race Theory as a lens to present the perceptions of Latina/Latino/Latinx school counselors who were in public high schools for at least two years with caseloads of at least 350 students. Counselor Burnout has been a topic researched extensively but mainly through studies that focus on the…

This article reflects on the role of the academic dean in theological education in relation to faculty of color. Drawing on research related to faculty of color in higher education and theological education, the article explores issues and responses to the challenges faced by faculty of color in predominately White institutions, and maps potential…