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Uncharted Territory: The Professional, Gendered Experiences of Female Rural Superintendents in the Twenty-First Century

O'Keeffe, Erica Lynn Mitchell
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1002-6952
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1588005067452556

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Education, Miami University, Educational Leadership.
Since the beginning of American education in the U.S., women often have been left out of educational prosperity. First, by excluding females from learning and working, and later by disregarding their capacity for educational leadership. The superintendency of American Schools is perplexing because women dominate the field of teaching whereas men hold the majority of superintendent roles. Although we are in the modern world of the twenty-first century, where women have gained the legal right to equality, gender discrimination exists. A great body of literature exists regarding female superintendents; however, there is a significant gap concerning female rural superintendents. Six female superintendents from rural school districts were invited to participate in this research study. Their stories paint unique portraits of their professional, gendered experiences as rural female superintendents. The purpose of this research study was to explore women's experiences in the rural superintendency, add female voice to history, and illuminate the prevalence of the feminine social injustice, often silenced by society's perception of the American superintendent. Each female rural superintendent's story was unique and intertwined with intersections of gender, leadership, and rurality. Through this narrative inquiry five common themes emerged: 1) The District Must be the Right Fit; 2) Other Women (Female Saboteurs); 3) The Good Old Boys' Club; 4) Loneliness; and 5) An Ethical Fighting Spirit of Determination, Grit, and Resilience. This research found that there are several challenges due to one's gender and those are amplified in the rural setting where a superintendent must wear several hats, manage a lack of resources, and survive the unique value system and culture established by each rural community. This study revealed that gender discrimination endures in the twenty-first century for female rural superintendents by both men and women, stemming from historical societal perceptions of the female role. As women's stories are told, national and state organizations, school systems, and universities can support females who aspire to becoming educational leaders. By revealing the hidden voice of female rural superintendents, each individual in society may recognize their own discriminatory perceptions and exploits in order to enact change towards a brighter world of equity in educational leadership.
Kate Rousmaniere, Dr. (Committee Co-Chair)
Lucian Szlizewski, Dr. (Committee Co-Chair)
Sheri Leafgren, Dr. (Committee Member)
187 p.
Education; Education History; Educational Leadership; School Administration
Female; Rural; Superintendent; Gender; Discrimination; Bias; School District; Rural Community; Good Old Boys; Female Saboteurs; Loneliness; Ethical; Fighting Spirit; Narrative; Qualitative Study; The Right Fit; Resilience; Educational Leadership

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • O'Keeffe, E. L. M. (2020). Uncharted Territory: The Professional, Gendered Experiences of Female Rural Superintendents in the Twenty-First Century [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1588005067452556

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • O'Keeffe, Erica. Uncharted Territory: The Professional, Gendered Experiences of Female Rural Superintendents in the Twenty-First Century . 2020. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1588005067452556.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • O'Keeffe, Erica. "Uncharted Territory: The Professional, Gendered Experiences of Female Rural Superintendents in the Twenty-First Century ." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1588005067452556

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1588005067452556
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This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.