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Learning with and from each other: creating safe spaces in a professional community for school leadership development

Hans W. Klar (Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA)
Noelle A. Paufler (Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA)
Angela D. Carter (Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA)

Journal of Professional Capital and Community

ISSN: 2056-9548

Article publication date: 16 September 2024

54

Abstract

Purpose

School leaders can significantly influence the conditions that affect teacher retention. Yet, leaders in rural and high-poverty schools often face limited opportunities to develop their abilities to enhance these conditions. In this case study, we examine how participating in a professional community supported school leaders' efforts to increase teacher retention and student learning outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

We used case study methodology to study 14 leaders from rural, high-poverty or underperforming schools with greater-than-average levels of teacher turnover. The leaders were participating in a three-year research-practice partnership intended to assist them in using improvement science to address problems of practice related to teacher retention and student learning outcomes in their schools. We collected and analyzed data from interviews, exit surveys, artifacts and participant observations over a one-year period.

Findings

Participating in this professional community helped the leaders create the conditions for increased teacher retention and student learning outcomes by providing them with opportunities to collaborate with their peers, receive leadership coaching, exchange ideas and learn in a safe space.

Originality/value

These findings confirm and extend extant school leadership development research. A particularly interesting finding was the role of the professional community in reducing the leaders' feelings of isolation while providing them a safe space to learn. The findings also illustrate how universities and school districts can partner to provide professional learning opportunities that enhance school leaders' professional knowledge, leadership practices and well-being.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development at Clemson University for their support of the LEADERS Center of Excellence and this study.

Citation

Klar, H.W., Paufler, N.A. and Carter, A.D. (2024), "Learning with and from each other: creating safe spaces in a professional community for school leadership development", Journal of Professional Capital and Community, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPCC-02-2024-0017

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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