Dissertation
Latinas aspiring to the superintendency: a portraiture study
Washington State University
Doctor of Education (EdD), Washington State University
05/2007
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005764
Abstract
Women of color, especially Latinas, continue to be underrepresented in the public school superintendency in the United States, and there is little extant research that addresses this issue. This in?depth, qualitative portraiture study explored the lives and experiences of four Latinas who aspire to become superintendents in a northwestern state, addressing these questions: Who are these aspiring Latina superintendents? Why do they aspire to the superintendency? What successes and challenges have they experienced in this quest, and how do they interpret these experiences? And, what meaning do they make of becoming a Latina superintendent? Major findings of this study were that Latina aspirants do experience discrimination in regard to their ability to successfully compete for district superintendent positions. Participants in this study relied on several supports to help them achieve their goals, including: family and work ethic, determination, commitment, mentors, and preparation. The in?depth portraits of these women create new understandings about the struggles of Latinas as they work their way through a system that sometimes offers hope and encouragement, but just as often disempowers them through subtle forms of sexism and racism.
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Details
- Title
- Latinas aspiring to the superintendency
- Creators
- Irene Gonzales
- Contributors
- Gail C. Furman (Chair)Gordon Gates (Committee Member)Joan U. Kingrey (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- College of Education
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EdD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 157
- Identifiers
- 99901054759501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation