Date of Award

Spring 4-2-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

First Advisor/Committee Member

Dr. Julie Antilla

Second Advisor/Committee Member

Dr. David Denton

Third Advisor/Committee Member

Dr. Robin Henrikson

Keywords

new Catholic school principals, principal development, leadership development, leadership succession, principal succession, Catholic school leadership

Abstract

Research shows that Catholic schools are important factors that contribute to the proliferation of the faith (Gray, 2014). Additionally, studies reveal that effective principals have a positive impact on student achievement and school improvement (Leithwood et al., 2004; Waters et al., 2003). Because effective leaders are vital to the success of Catholic schools, it is logical to deduce the importance of investing in robust leadership development and succession programs to ensure the longevity of both Catholic schools and the Church. Rooted in the servant and contemplative leadership theories, this study examined important practices within leadership development and succession planning through the eyes of new principals serving in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The study incorporated a mixed method design, including an in-depth interview and an online survey which collectively provided valuable insights into the new principals’ experiences. Further analysis identified ways in which diocesan programs provided support for new leaders, in addition to highlighting areas for continued growth. Qualitative results outlined six major themes including common ways individuals were ‘tapped’ for leadership, the challenges associated with the Catholic school principal role and the site-based model, the need for building collaborative relationships, and the ways in which principals find purpose and fulfillment. Correlation analyses revealed a strong, statistically significant, relationship between job satisfaction and the likelihood of staying in the role. Other significant relationships were identified including a strong negative correlation between the number of students and job satisfaction, and between the number students and likelihood of staying in the job. Similar results were found in relation to the number of staff. The study has important implications for leadership development and succession models within Catholic school systems.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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