Leadership Experiences of K-12 Principals in Times of Crisis As Exemplified by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Electronic Thesis or DissertationThe purpose of this study was to understand the leadership experiences of K-12 principals in times of crisis as exemplified by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This phenomenological, qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to understand the crisis leadership experience of ten principals in public, K-12 schools in the state of Alabama. Through this study, macro themes related to the competencies and characteristics necessary for educational leaders to prepare for, navigate, and recover from crisis emerged. COVID-19 has provided the platform to study crisis leadership across all disciplines and especially education. This study hopes to add to the emerging body of research on crisis leadership in education and culminates with a leadership strategy Executive Summary addressing leading through crisis at the district level