The school principal as change agent: An explanatory case study No

This single-site case study was designed to investigate ways in which a principal considers the individual needs of faculty members when promoting a particular change, as perceived by faculty and staff. Four research questions were addressed: (1) How does a principal create a context for change? (2) Is school culture acknowledged as an integral consideration in the process and, if so, in what ways? (3) Does the principal address individuals before considering the system and, if so, in what ways? and (4) What are other realities integral to the change process? Interview questions were presented to nine faculty and staff members of Apple Valley Elementary School, including the principal. Data analysis shows that the majorkty of respondents viewed the change process as a team effort with principal as facilitator of dialogue and teachers as communicative participants. The principal was viewed as the key change agent who purposely created a context for change. School cultural factors such as shared beliefs, attitudes, an