Chapter 12 Leading Environmental Education in Elementary Schools: The Case of “La Esperanza” School
Understanding the Principalship: An International Guide to Principal Preparation
ISBN: 978-1-78190-678-1, eISBN: 978-1-78190-679-8
Publication date: 1 May 2013
Abstract
This chapter examines leadership practices in a Mexican elementary school that implemented an environmental education (EE) project. The data were collected between 2010 and 2012 through document analysis and interviews with the principal, school supervisor, teachers, counselors, students, and parents. Additional data were collected through observations of classrooms, extracurricular activities, and professional development workshops. Findings from this study suggest the principal played a key role in facilitating a collective effort among the staff to transform the school through EE. The principal’s previous administrative experiences gave her credibility with teachers and the tools to lead the school improvement effort. The main challenge the principal faced was helping parents understand the transformative benefits of EE. Internal and external factors that support and threaten the sustainability of this change are also discussed.
Citation
López-Gorosave, G. and Haydee Girón, M. (2013), "Chapter 12 Leading Environmental Education in Elementary Schools: The Case of “La Esperanza” School", Slater, C.L. and Nelson, S.W. (Ed.) Understanding the Principalship: An International Guide to Principal Preparation (Advances in Educational Administration, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 269-289. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3660(2013)0000019016
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited