Caring, character, and community: leadership in times of crisis, lessons learned
Files
Accepted manuscript
Date
2023-06-30
DOI
Authors
Coleman, Hardin L.K.
Barcay, Elizabeth
Version
Accepted manuscript
OA Version
Citation
H. Coleman, E. Barcay. 2023. "Caring, Character, and Community: Leadership in Times of Crisis, Lessons Learned." Conference Proceedings: The Future of Education 12th Edition 2022.
Abstract
To prepare the next generation to become caring and effectively engaged citizens requires a multi-faceted approach. It includes a focus on personal development, professional development, program development and implementation, and systems change [1]. To deepen our understanding of how leadership integrates these values into practice, this paper presents a thematic analysis of how leaders of PK-12 schools, higher education institutions, and leaders of community-based organizations integrate an ethic of caring, a focus on their own and others’ character development, and a commitment to serving the needs of others in order to guide and inform their leadership in times of crisis. We interviewed thirteen leaders who responded to the question, “How have you integrated caring, character, and commitment into your leadership style while managing crises?” Four of the leaders work with PK-12 schools, four work in higher education, and five work in youth-serving community based organizations. Some of the leaders have explicit commitments to a focus on character education and/or have a spiritual grounding in their work. Others were more focused on social justice, equity, and system change. All were deeply committed to creating conditions in which youth can flourish. This paper will summarize their thinking about how to use an ethic of caring, a focus on one’s own and others’ character development, and a commitment to community to create high-quality learning experiences and opportunities for all youth.