Deposition and Erosion of El Mar: Utilizing Storytelling to Analyze the Woman of Color Assistant Principal Identity

This research discusses the identity of women of color assistant principals beginning with who they were before becoming a teacher and transitioning to assistant principals with the hope of becoming principal. The work explores the ideal-selves identity and possible-selves identity of women of color assistant principals. The ideal self is defined by Boyatzis and Akrivou (2006) as “an evolving motivational core within the self, focusing a person’s desires and hopes, aspirations and dreams, purpose and calling” (p. 625). It extends work on the changes in their identity before becoming an educator in comparison to after holding the position of assistant principal for several years. Through the use of vignettes, this research utilizes my personal experiences as a woman of color assistant principal to propose that other women of color assistant principals have a decrease in their morale, which thus contributes to an increase in the attrition rate. Therefore, it is proposed that the ideal self for women of color does not waiver nor does their possible self despite the inequality and discrimination within a district. Results from the interviews provide evidence that the family unit alters the ideal self and the possible self with the shift of priorities impacting career goals. Furthermore, the results ask districts to consider equal access for all teachers and assistant principals, regardless of race and gender, who would like to be more informed about the training available for those wishing to climb the career ladder. The results also ask districts to be more cognizant of the percentage of teachers, assistant principals, and principals reflecting the student population.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

School Improvement

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• De Hoyos, Marissa

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Straubhaar, Rolf

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Davis, Dionne
• Guajardo, Miguel A.
• Martinez, Melissa

• women of color
• assistant principals
• storytelling
• identity

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/19993

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/19993