The purpose of this study was to analyze and provide insight into the complexities of the dual role superintendent-principal position from individuals currently serving in this position. The study focused on the challenges and conflicts individuals who serve in this dual role face and highlighted practices that have made them successful in their position. This study also sought to provide insight into the reasons why local school boards decide to employ a dual role superintendent-principal rather than having separate positions and the expectations of boards of education for individuals serving in the dual role.
As I conducted my research, numerous themes emerged related to the challenges and successful practices of superintendent-principals. Some of the themes common among participants in the study include the importance of relationships in the school community. The challenge of role ambiguity was also consistent among the individuals participating in the study. The overall complexity of the dual administrative role and the lack of time to dedicate to any one aspect of the position was a frustration shared by each participant of my study. These themes will be further presented and analyzed throughout this thesis.
","abstract_html":"<p>The purpose of this study was to analyze and provide insight into the complexities of the dual role superintendent-principal position from individuals currently serving in this position. The study focused on the challenges and conflicts individuals who serve in this dual role face and highlighted practices that have made them successful in their position. This study also sought to provide insight into the reasons why local school boards decide to employ a dual role superintendent-principal rather than having separate positions and the expectations of boards of education for individuals serving in the dual role.</p> <p>As I conducted my research, numerous themes emerged related to the challenges and successful practices of superintendent-principals. Some of the themes common among participants in the study include the importance of relationships in the school community. The challenge of role ambiguity was also consistent among the individuals participating in the study. The overall complexity of the dual administrative role and the lack of time to dedicate to any one aspect of the position was a frustration shared by each participant of my study. These themes will be further presented and analyzed throughout this thesis.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Tulppo, Alan R"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Education Specialist","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"Education, Leadership and Public Service","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Dr. Bethney Bergh"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2022,"date_issued":"2022-04-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2022-04-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:24:17Z","subjects":["Superintendent","principals","rural education","educational leadership","Educational Administration and Supervision","Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration","Other Educational Administration and Supervision"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/711","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Dr. Bethney Bergh"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Tulppo, Alan R"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2022-03-27T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Education, Leadership and Public Service"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Education Specialist"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Superintendent","principals","rural education","educational leadership","Educational Administration and Supervision","Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration","Other Educational Administration and Supervision"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/711"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The purpose of this study was to analyze and provide insight into the complexities of the dual role superintendent-principal position from individuals currently serving in this position. The study focused on the challenges and conflicts individuals who serve in this dual role face and highlighted practices that have made them successful in their position. This study also sought to provide insight into the reasons why local school boards decide to employ a dual role superintendent-principal rather than having separate positions and the expectations of boards of education for individuals serving in the dual role.
As I conducted my research, numerous themes emerged related to the challenges and successful practices of superintendent-principals. Some of the themes common among participants in the study include the importance of relationships in the school community. The challenge of role ambiguity was also consistent among the individuals participating in the study. The overall complexity of the dual administrative role and the lack of time to dedicate to any one aspect of the position was a frustration shared by each participant of my study. These themes will be further presented and analyzed throughout this thesis.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ANALYZING THE CHALLENGES, CONFLICTS, AND PRACTICES OF SUPERINTENDENT-PRINCIPALS IN RURAL UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Dr. Bethney Bergh"],"dc:creator":["Tulppo, Alan R"],"dc:date.available":["2022-03-27T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["The purpose of this study was to analyze and provide insight into the complexities of the dual role superintendent-principal position from individuals currently serving in this position. The study focused on the challenges and conflicts individuals who serve in this dual role face and highlighted practices that have made them successful in their position. This study also sought to provide insight into the reasons why local school boards decide to employ a dual role superintendent-principal rather than having separate positions and the expectations of boards of education for individuals serving in the dual role.
As I conducted my research, numerous themes emerged related to the challenges and successful practices of superintendent-principals. Some of the themes common among participants in the study include the importance of relationships in the school community. The challenge of role ambiguity was also consistent among the individuals participating in the study. The overall complexity of the dual administrative role and the lack of time to dedicate to any one aspect of the position was a frustration shared by each participant of my study. These themes will be further presented and analyzed throughout this thesis.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/711"],"dc:subject":["Superintendent","principals","rural education","educational leadership","Educational Administration and Supervision","Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration","Other Educational Administration and Supervision"],"dc:title":["A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ANALYZING THE CHALLENGES, CONFLICTS, AND PRACTICES OF SUPERINTENDENT-PRINCIPALS IN RURAL UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Education, Leadership and Public Service"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Education Specialist"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:24:17Z"}