Date of Award
6-1-2011
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Organizational Unit
Morgridge College of Education
First Advisor
Susan Korach, Ed.D.
Second Advisor
Kent Seidel
Third Advisor
Linda Brookhart
Fourth Advisor
Roger E. Salters
Keywords
Career pathways, Female superintendents, Labyrinth
Abstract
Women represent 75 to 80 percent of the teachers across the U.S. (Glass, 1992), and the percentage of female superintendents is not in alignment with the female workforce. Research indicates that the career pathways of male and female superintendents differ. While male superintendents often have a sequential pathway to a superintendency, women tend to take more of a labyrinth type of pathway resulting in a longer, indirect path to the superintendent position (Eagly and Carli 2007). This study examined the career pathways of female superintendents, and the support needed to increase gender equity for the superintendency. This dissertation examines the career pathways of three superintendents in a Southwestern state of the United States. Standpoint theory framed the identification of female superintendents as a phenomenon, and qualitative interviews elicited the voices of the female superintendents.
The results of this study were somewhat surprising. The female superintendents had similar career pathways as male superintendents, had male mentors, were not intentional about the superintendency, and perceived themselves as innovative. The linear pathways of these female superintendents contradict earlier research, and their self identification as innovators gives them an identity that is focused around a need. This research provides insight into how to support women in their pathways toward the superintendency.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Liann Marene Hanson
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
en
File Size
120 p.
Recommended Citation
Hanson, Liann M., "Career Pathway Experiences of Three Female School Superintendents: A Phenomenology" (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 267.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/267
Copyright date
2011
Discipline
Educational leadership