While scholars argue that school administrators should cultivate a culture of learning and efficacy among staff, little is known about how to develop learning leaders. This study investigated whether a principal preparation course that modeled a Professional Learning Community and utilized Powerful Learning Experiences (PLEs) could shift the…

This article considers the conditions, possibilities, and challenges of creating what is referred to here as a 'reflective space' within a higher education course for principals. It is informed by the findings of a qualitative research inquiry conducted in the interests of enhancing the principals' learning and professional praxis and the…

In this article, we report the findings of a study of a three-year, research-practice partnership designed to enhance the leadership capabilities of school leaders in 12 predominantly rural, high-poverty school districts in the southeastern United States. The partnership provided cross-district, job-embedded leadership development to ten school…

Few researchers have explicitly examined the benefits to practicing principals engaged in mentoring aspiring principals. Through the lens of transformative learning, the purpose of our study was to examine the professional learning of practicing principals engaged as mentors with aspiring principals in a leadership preparation program. Two…

Considerable literature exists pertaining to transformative education and academics seek to provide a transformative educational experience for students. The purpose of this research was to examine the perceptions of graduates from postgraduate teacher education courses concerning transformative efficacy with regard to the stated outcomes of the…

Purpose: Taking a particular example of an international partnership programme, this article aims to discuss kindergartens' participation in international partnership programmes as compelling vehicles for promoting "early childhood education for sustainability" (ECEfS). The partnership programme included Western Norway University of…

Addressing systemic inequities in schools requires preparation of leaders who are bold, adaptive, and well-versed in addressing problems of practice so they can be effective leaders. This article offers a theory-to-practice resource for educational leadership faculty who are committed to developing such leadership. Drawing upon learning theories,…

With the push by government and business leaders for greater emphasis on STEM education at all grade levels, STEM leaders (i.e., educational leadership and teacher leaders) are challenged to pioneer integrative praxes that prepare students for success in a scientifically and technologically driven society. Additionally, these STEM leaders must…

This paper describes an ongoing Professional Development (PD) program that aimed to prepare teacher-leaders for rural English learner (EL) students. We delineate the theoretical underpinnings of the PD design and describe the two-year graduate coursework program with onsite coaching in rural schools in detail. We define rurality and the context of…

This qualitative study was designed to examine teachers' and principals' perceptions of the impact of a graduate program designed to prepare teacher leaders. Impact was investigated through interviews with 20 graduates and 6 principals. Using Mezirow's concept of transformational learning, the study documents perceived transformation of teachers'…

Aspiring leaders in preparation programs need up-to-date research applied in real-life situations. University faculty need to change their understandings of what it means to effectively promote leadership development through university programs. This article presents understandings on how exploratory, field-based coursework offered through a…

Given the importance of reflection in educators' practice, school leaders should be able to both facilitate teacher reflection and model reflective practice. This action research study examined whether or not emerging school leaders demonstrate the ability to reflect on daily practice and decision-making. Data from three classes of prospective…

Scholars and researchers demonstrate that principals substantially influence the quality of professional learning and offer various perspectives on the principal's role in professional development (Bredeson, 2003; Bredeson & Johansson, 2000; Kose, in press; Lindstrom & Speck, 2004; Tallerico, 2005; Youngs & King, 2002). However, how…