In it and of it: A Black principal’s self-examination of anti-Blackness and critical leadership praxis

<p>Narrative inquiry is my research method, and my goal is to validate the use of narratives, including my reflective memos, journal reflections, and interpretations of various artifacts that share my students' experiences. As a Black woman and an educator, I emphasize the importance of culturally responsive school leadership for K-12 principals, which includes fostering connections with and amplifying the voices of marginalized Black students to improve their academic engagement. My study also highlights my experiences' critical role in building positive relationships with the school community, particularly in enhancing Black students' climate and cultural experiences. With this study, I shed light on the critical issue of anti-Blackness in my leadership practices by sharing narratives of my lived experiences that chronicled my journey as a principal who, alongside my students, disrupted oppressive systems and processes that criminalized Black students. In addition to culturally responsive school leadership theory, I referenced anti-Blackness as a theoretical, conceptual framework for this crucial autobiographical study. This autobiographical study explained how I interrupted the school-to-prison narrative for Black students through a critical examination of my own anti-Black racist leadership practices. This study influenced future research on culturally responsive school leadership by highlighting my lived experiences alongside my students as we interrogated systems of oppression within our school.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Leadership and Counseling

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Odom, Donya

Contributors dc:contributor

• Davis Clement, Ph.D.
• Rema Vassar, Ph.D.
• David Anderson, Ed.D.

• culturally responsive school leadership
• anti-Blackness
• anti-Black racism
• Black women
• oppression
• discipline
• Black joy
• liberatory
• student voice
• principal
• Black students
• Educational Administration and Supervision
• Educational Leadership

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1241

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2607