› › Texas Female Superintendents Self Perception Of Their Preferred Leadership Styles

Texas Female Superintendents' Self Perception of Their Preferred Leadership Styles

Author : Lisa Ann McCool

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Page : 232 pages

File Size : 49,13 MB

Release : 2012

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Book Description

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-perception of leadership styles of practicing female superintendents in Texas and how their preferred leadership style affected their performance. The study posed the following questions:(1) What are the preferred leadership styles of the practicing female superintendents in Texas as measured by Bolman & Deal's (2003) four frames of leadership? (2) What are the predominant behaviors that female superintendents in Texas identify within each frame of leadership? (3) How do the preferred leadership styles and behaviors influence the superintendents' every day performance? This study was relied on a mixed method approach, quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative component involved surveying 50 female superintendents, using the Leadership Orientations (Self-Report) survey (Bolman & Deal, 1990). The qualitative component included a semi-structured interview which asked follow up questions with six selected female superintendents (two from rural, two from suburban, and two from urban districts) who consented to the interview regarding the influence of their leadership preferences. The findings suggest participants' preferred leadership style relates to the Human Resource frame which include: being an inspirational leader, utilizing interpersonal skills, making good decisions; as well as, coaching and developing people. Findings also suggest that predominant behaviors include: supporting others, building trusting relationships through collaboration, and being participative. The preferred leadership styles and behaviors' influence on female superintendents' everyday performance resulted in embracing collaboration, being transparent, sharing a vision, being passionate, and building trusting relationships. Additionally, beliefs and behaviors that lead to success include: being honest, depersonalize the situations, education makes a difference, adopt flexibility, and power to make decisions. The characteristics that lead to success are: being spiritual, being organized, being committed, and willing to help others. Furthermore, the following advice was offered: learn to cope with high level of visibility, become knowledgeable of the district's needs and characteristics, and develop a professional image. Finally, implications for aspiring female superintendents, superintendent preparation programs and school boards members are also presented.







Portraits of Leadership Qualities of Three Female Superintendents in Texas

Author : Donna Otterman Porter

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Page : 414 pages

File Size : 26,35 MB

Release : 2012

Category : Educational leadership

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Book Description

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of three female superintendents in Texas in regard to their leadership qualities and to provide women information to assist in conceptualizing female leadership qualities that are needed to lead a school. Through a postmodern feminist lens, the study explored the history of women and their struggle for equality from its emergence to the present. A qualitative portraiture research method was used to collect information from these women and record their found stories. Data collection methods included interviews, observations and review of relevant artifacts. Through crystallization, whereas data is complemented and enhanced by including select genres, the resonating voices of these women communicated their gained insight concerning their leadership characteristics. Findings identified six leadership qualities possessed by all of the participants and provided insight to other qualities that are perceived as being noteworthy for superintendents to possess.





Women as Educational Leaders

Author : Joanna Duke Slaton

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Page : 334 pages

File Size : 43,24 MB

Release : 2008

Category : Educational leadership

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This qualitative, narrative non-fiction study was designed to investigate the leadership characteristics of female educational leaders and how their experiences, perceptions and beliefs have molded the leaders that they have become today. Participants in this study were female superintendents across the state of Texas in public education. Using the responses from semi-structured individual interviews, this study not only supported some of the most significant leadership styles of female administrators found in the review of literature, but also collected and coded their responses to interview questions based on their personal and professional experiences in education. Results of the study also identified the most prominent relationships between the women's leadership styles, past experiences, and the manner in which they lead today. For female school superintendents, the findings of this study may be invaluable as a means to market women as invaluable leaders of the Twenty-first century.



Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling

Author : Terri Cabbell Benson

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Page : pages

File Size : 17,24 MB

Release : 2013

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In Texas, women account for 75% of educators and 18% of superintendents of public school systems. The purpose of this study was to identify career pathways of six female Texas superintendents and their perceptions of barriers and successes in ascension to superintendency. Participants were six female Texas school superintendents who responded to a survey instrument and participated in a focus group process. Responses were categorized into themes and codes to illuminate participant perceptions of pathways, barriers, and successes in the superintendency. Results indicated that facilitating factors were family support, prior experience, and doctoral education. Participants claimed no overt barriers. However, identified inadvertent barriers were familial obligations and societal expectations of women. These results indicate the need for the identification of future leaders using the identified external and internal influences for women and then the utilization of mentorship and guidance along appropriate career pathways in order to facilitate career advancement.





I Am a Chameleon in Pearls

Author : Catherine Ryan

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Page : pages

File Size : 30,45 MB

Release : 2012

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The public school superintendent is the least progressive position in education at integrating women and balancing the scales of equitable representation. Statistical data indicates there are far fewer females than males serving as superintendents. Current statistics show women make up: 1) over 70 percent of all public school educators; 2) nearly half of all principals; and 3) almost 60 percent of all central office administrators. Yet today, female superintendents in our nation total only 20 percent. Despite the perceived oppression of the marginalized, gender study research on women in the superintendent/ Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position is limited and built on a narrowly focused foundation. Most of the work on this topic has been done to study the barriers women encounter when attempting to become a public school administrator, rather than to explore their role as a modern day superintendent/ CFO. The purpose of this qualitative study will be to build on prior research, which has only begun to expose the qualitative and narrative aspects of research, and delve into the daily professional lives of three female superintendents. The study further explored their experiences as a female superintendent/ CFO in a male dominated profession. The findings of the study support that it is time to remove the institutional and personal stillness and allow women to share their stories concerning the barriers they encountered in attaining the superintendency, as well as how they continue to overcome barriers in the active role of superintendent/ CFO. The benefit of this study will be to serve as a vessel for these pioneering females to show that their perceptions and lives as a female superintendent are stories worth sharing.



Women School Superintendents

Author : Susan J. Katz

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Page : 35 pages

File Size : 43,64 MB

Release : 2004

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In U.S. public schools a limited number of women have attained the position of superintendent. Consequently, there has been limited research focusing on understanding the position from a woman?s perspective. The purpose of this study was to add to the small body of literature focusing on women?s ideas and beliefs about leading schools. A survey consisting of a measure of perceived leadership practices and questions of demographics was sent to women public school superintendents practicing in four Midwestern states during the academic year, 2000-2001. In addition to the survey, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a small sample of women in the study. The study's framework was based on a model of leadership developed by Kouzes & Posner (1995) and incorporated into The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) they developed and used in this study. The research questions asked if there were differences in how the women superintendents perceived their leadership practices based on age, years of administrative experience, and size and structure of their districts. Data analysis revealed that there were significant differences in perceived leadership practices according to size of school district. The study also revealed that women have ways to talk about how they have succeeded in their roles as superintendents. Also women in this study viewed relational leadership as a key component of their leadership style. New findings indicated that the women superintendents believed good hiring practices and specific qualities of a leader were essential elements to effective leadership.