Empowering women to become superintendents in Oklahoma: A constructivist grounded theory

The problem identified was the great underrepresentation of women as superintendents in Oklahoma. This qualitative dissertation in practice sought to understand the empowerment process experienced by women who became superintendents in Oklahoma. The constructivist grounded theory research design aligns to the social constructivist worldview of the researcher. The following research question framed critical inquiry interviews: what explains the process of empowerment of women who became superintendents in Oklahoma? Theoretical sampling and constant comparative analysis led to data saturation and the development of a tentative theoretical framework. The tentative theoretical framework, the empowerment process model, is a visual representation of the findings that comprised the following process: 1) contexts: working in education and grit; 2) concepts: building self-efficacy and balancing work and family roles; 3) the causal condition: an encouraging mentor; 4) the central phenomenon: feeling empowered; and 5) the consequences: risk-taking and becoming superintendents. The tentative theoretical framework informed the proposed solution, to recommend a secondary leader internship in a large, public, Oklahoma school district. The proposed solution intends to strategically enhance the empowerment process of women teachers and counselors. The implementation plan of the proposed solution embeds strengths based, transformational leadership skills potentially improving practices of educational leaders. The conclusion includes implications for practical, future social research, and leadership theory. Keywords: underrepresentation, women, gender, self-efficacy, mentor, grit, leadership, superintendent, education policy, empowerment

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Hawkins, DaLana

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Caruso-Woolard, Cassandra

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/126716

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/126716