K-12 leadership drivers in March of 2020 : What can we learn?

Struik-Kothe, Teisha The purpose of this study was to explore K-12 district superintendents’ decisions to convert to emergency remote teaching in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research questions guiding this study were focused on who or what influenced the district leaders’ decisions, the strategies they employed during the first 30 days of schools closing, and connections to the newly developed Model T driving forces framework, which highlights goals, change, safety, and support. This qualitative case study used in-depth interviews with five superintendents of K-12 school districts in the Midwest. While each superintendent held experience leading in their districts, none had led during a pandemic. The research participants provided insight into the necessary criteria and potential outcomes of crisis leadership. The results showed who was an influential resource for the participants’ decisions, strategies they employed in their decision-making processes, and the drivers they used to guide their decisions and provide the necessary support to staff. Three main themes emerged: communication yields connection in a crisis; core values should be kept centered in a crisis; and district leaders should create space during a crisis to share people’s stories. The findings of this study were consistent with previous literature supporting the use of distributive leadership in problem solving, keeping north star principles at the center of decisions made in a crisis, and providing educators with professional development to support online teaching and learning strategies.

Grantor dc:publisher

Alverno College

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Struik-Kothe, Teisha

• School superintendents
• COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-
• Educational leadership
• Decision making

Statement dc:rights

• These materials may be used by individuals and libraries for personal use, research, teaching (including distribution to classes), or for any fair use as defined by U.S. Copyright Law.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://alverno.omeka.net/items/show/251

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:alverno.omeka.net:251