Growing Leaders: An Exploratory Case Study of the Leadership Skill Development of School Principals
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D)
Department
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
Spring 2025
Abstract
Despite the significant changes in the history of campus administration, the role of a school principal has continuously required specialized knowledge and skills. School principals hold primary responsibility for their campus facilities, resources, stakeholders, communities, and outcomes. The effectiveness of a school principal has a greater impact on student outcomes for the entire campus than that of a single teacher. To achieve this impact, principals must successfully lead their buildings, navigate changing educational and social landscapes, and ensure positive outcomes, which requires an expansive and adaptable skill set. Effective school leaders employ a unique balance of skills. These include organizational management, human capital management, strategic operations, instructional leadership, transformational leadership, collaboration, advocacy, culture-building, and attention to relationships. The development of leadership skills that are necessary for a successful school principal does not happen by chance. Aspiring and practicing school principals must take full advantage of every opportunity they have to grow and develop the skills necessary to be effective leaders. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to examine how school principals’ engagement in preparation, professional development, networking, and practice influenced their leadership skill development. I explored the complexity of leadership skill development of three practicing school principals through the lens of their perceptions and observations of their application of their skills. Data derived from multiple sources such as pre- and post-observation interviews, observation field notes, and reflective journals enabled me to gain a deep understanding of the extent the roles of the experiences in preparation, professional development, networking, and practice play in the development of school leaders participating in the study. The development of logic models for each participant and a subsequent cross-case analysis enabled me to identify and illustrate emergent themes within and across cases.
Advisor
Melissa Arrambide
Subject Categories
Education
Recommended Citation
Venegas, Sarah Acuna, "Growing Leaders: An Exploratory Case Study of the Leadership Skill Development of School Principals" (2025). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 1262.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/1262
