One school principal’s journey from the mainstream to the alternative

Abstract

This paper presents the story of one school principal’s journey from mainstream to alternative schooling. Drawn from a larger project at the school where themes of commitment, community and culture and curriculum connectedness were apparent, this paper focuses on the philosophies and lived experiences of the principal via a narrative method drawing from narrative methodologies, feminist and poststructuralist perspectives. School leadership is a significant factor in school success. In this case, the principal plays a crucial role in the growing story of successful alternative schooling models, and as such, the philosophies and motivations of such leaders need to be more fully examined. Given the current neoliberal climate within many developed countries driving an agenda of high-stakes testing regimes and centralized curricula, it becomes more important than ever to highlight alternative ways of approaching school leadership.

Notes

1. Pseudonyms are used for the school and principal.

2. This is how Neil referred to Harmony High, as a boutique school similar to the magnet schools in the USA. We use it in this article as analogous to the notion of alternative schooling.