Mujeres in the Principal’s Office: Latina School Leaders

Abstract

This article is based on a national survey of Latina/o principals and assistant principals conducted by the National Latina/o Leadership Project and focuses on the women participants. Included is a description of Latinas’ leadership experiences, their career paths, and the influence of racial/ethnic identity on their leadership practice. The findings indicate that Latinas were primarily in urban districts, leading elementary campuses with high minority and/or low-income student populations. They also served as paraprofessionals, media specialists, librarians, teachers, or coaches before becoming school leaders. Their varied professional experiences as well as their cultural background and identity enhanced their leadership practices.

Key words:

• Latina
• principal
• leadership
• women
• gender
• identity