Teacher Leadership: an Alternative Pathway for Women Administrative Aspirants.

A survey was made of three Michigan groups: (1) women administrators, (2) women who were presidents of their teachers organization, and , (3) a r and om group of women teachers. Teacher respondents were asked if they aspired to an administrative position, and then were asked to rate various factors relating to their level of aspiration. These responses were contrasted with those of the administrators as well as between the two groups. The number of women who aspired to administration was low, hence making predictions difficult. However, experience in teacher leadership did seem to be correlated with aspirations to and movement into administration. Women administrators saw previous teacher leadership roles as important to their decision to aspire. The other strongest factors affecting aspiration to the positive were: (a) wanting to be a better administrator than those observed, (b) being able to make a greater contribution to education as an administrator, (c) additional job responsibilities, (d) having the personality of an administrator, and , (e) wanting to earn more money. The findings also tend to suggest that leaders of teachers organizations have been more often encouraged than non-leaders. Administrators rated encouragement from a superior as a strong factor in their decision to aspire. Evidence of a "Queen Bee syndrome" was not found by this study. Current administrators expressed concern that more women should enter the area of educational administration. Recommendations for change from this study include those for Colleges and Universities, School Systems and Teachers Organizations, as well as individual women who are considering the field of administration. Among the recommendations are the development of strong networks and mentoring, female role models at the University level, and administrative in-service for teachers within schools who fulfill beginning level teacher leadership positions. Professional Women's Educational Administrator Groups are encouraged as a method of developing psychological as well as practical support.PhDEducational administrationUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/161318/1/8702828.pd