Urban School Leadership and Community Violence: Principal Perspectives and Proactive Responses to Student Mental Health Needs

Abstract

This article examines how urban principals can proactively respond to neighborhood violence through a community-oriented leadership framework. We analyzed principal interviews to understand the important and multifaceted roles of urban secondary school principals in creating safe and responsive schools that meet the diverse needs of grieving students and families. Findings suggest the importance of tapping into community assets, developing partnerships with community organizations, relying on pre-established routines, and modeling an ethic of care.

Key words:

• counseling
• mental health
• school leadership
• urban education
• violence.

Notes

Notes

1 For those who challenge the notion that the principal’s role should be narrowly focused on academic achievement, or believe the principal already has too much on her plate, the authors direct the reader to mounting research on the importance of student mental health to academic achievement, student engagement, and graduation rates

(Borofsky, Kellerman, Baucom, Oliver, & Margolin, 2013; Lang, Brown, Hodges, & Chaplin, 2012).

2 All school and principal names are pseudonyms.