Year
2019
Season
Summer
Paper Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
College of Education and Human Services
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD)
Department
Leadership, School Counseling & Sport Management
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Leadership, School Counseling & Sports Management
First Advisor
Dr. Matthew Ohlson
Second Advisor
Dr. David Hoppey
Third Advisor
Dr. Janice Seabrooks-Blackmore
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Amanda Pascale
Department Chair
Dr. Elizabeth Gregg
College Dean
Dr. Diane Yendol-Hoppey
Abstract
This study explored the impact that principals’ transformational leadership behaviors had on teachers’ self-efficacy in secondary urban alternative schools. The research question that guided this study was: How does perceived transformational leadership behaviors of principals’ impact teachers’ self-efficacy? This question had two sub-questions. The first was: How do teachers perceive their principals’ leadership behaviors? And, the second sub-question was: How does this perceived behavior affect teachers’ self-efficacy? Literature focused on urban schools and alternative schools, since they share a similar population of students. Additional literature discussed the four components of being a transformational leader which are idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, in addition to the components of a teacher’s personal self-efficacy. A total of ten secondary school teachers from two different urban alternative schools were interviewed using the semi-structured interviewing process. The researcher analyzed interview data by using the Constant Comparative Method of Analysis as a guide. Results of the interviews indicated that teachers viewed their principals as having behaviors of a transformational leader. They described the behaviors that resulted in two major categories: Principals as Instructional Leadersand Principals as Team Players. As a result of the principals’ transformational leadership behaviors, teachers’ efficacy was deemed to be high, due to shared examples of going above and beyondthe call of duty, creating a family environment, and being a loving teacher. Additional themes that gleaned from this study were the teachers’ perceptions about the student population, quality of education, understanding the purpose of urban alternative schools, educator preparation, and the challenges and rewards for working in an urban alternative school setting.
Suggested Citation
Branch, Lakenya Tenae, "Narratives of Alternative School Teachers: Perceptions of their Principals' Transformational Leadership Behaviors and How they Impact Self-Efficacy" (2019). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 901.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/901