Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Organizational Unit
Morgridge College of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
First Advisor
Lolita A. Tabron
Second Advisor
Kristina A. Hesbol
Third Advisor
Serie McDougal
Keywords
Black principals, Leadership, Leadership theory, Racialized identity, Urban schools
Abstract
The educational landscape of the twenty-first century currently faces several significant challenges, including widening academic opportunity gaps. These gaps suggest that there is need to examine the perspectives of leaders in the role of principals more deeply. However, as leadership theories continue to develop, there has been limited research conducted on the impact of principals’ racialized experiences and their approach to leadership. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to center race by exploring the essence of Black principals’ understanding of their racialized experiences and its meaning to their leadership and school communities. Findings indicate that Black principals’ (a) understanding of the meaning and significance of their racial identities is the vital component of their leadership within their school communities, (b) motivation for going into leadership is embedded in their belief of their ability to create change in their community, (c) characterization of their leadership experience is largely impacted by their encounters with different members within their school communities, and (d) spiritual beliefs are key foundations of their leadership. Study implications illustrate the importance of all leaders examining their racialized identities to be better prepared to work with students from diverse backgrounds to disrupt racially segregated leadership.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Natalie Denise Lewis
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
en
File Size
167 p.
Recommended Citation
Lewis, Natalie Denise, "Brokering Access, Belief and Opportunities: A Phenomenology of Black Principals’ Leadership Through a Racialized Lens" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1787.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1787
Copyright date
2020
Discipline
Educational leadership, African American studies, Educational administration
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons, Urban Education Commons