Abstracts
Abstract
This paper describes a participatory action research project that was delivered on Saturday mornings to vice-principals (VPs) in two Anglophone school districts in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, in 2022 and 2023. The project was set up as an invitational five-part seminar series that was grounded in educational theory and leadership standards in Atlantic Canada. Forty-three VPs participated in the seminars offering the researcher/seminar leaders a deep look into their complex working lives. Data was gathered through a World Café activity, seminar observations, pre- and post- surveys, and exit interviews. Several themes were constructed by the research team and given back to the VPs for their consideration and reflection. Final seminars focused on topics and strategies that supported the VPs in their leadership development.
Keywords:
- Educational leadership,
- New Brunswick,
- Participatory Action Research (PAR),
- Professional learning,
- Vice principals
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Appendices
Biographical notes
Dr. Lyle Hamm is an Associate Professor for Educational Administration and Leadership in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, a position he has held for 11 years. Prior to joining UNB, Lyle served as a K-12 educator for 22 years in southern Alberta, Canada. He was a vice-principal in two separate schools (6 years in total) and a principal for five years in two additional schools.
Dr. Shari Smith-Ellis is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of New Brunswick. Prior to this, she taught for 35 years. This included three years as a vice-principal and 19 years as a principal in elementary schools. She is a graduate of the New Brunswick Department of Education’s Leadership Academy. Her research has been in the fields of critical literacy, student voice, and assessment.
Tina Cole recently retired from the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association where she held the position of Staff Officer – Professional Interests. She now instructs in the M. Ed. Program at the University of New Brunswick. While principal of an inner-city school in Saint John, New Brunswick, she received the NBTA Vince Sunderland Memorial Award for Outstanding Educational Leadership (2013).
Krysta Kinney has a Masters degree in Education in Critical Studies. She has served in student leadership roles at the University of New Brunswick and now works as an administrator in the Faculty of Education Graduate Studies program.
Dr. Andrea Garner is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, co-directing the Exceptional Learners MEd program. She has been a teacher for 22 years across settings ranging from preschool to high school and post-secondary to outdoor therapeutic recreation. She has taken on teaching, research, and educational leadership roles while living and working in Canada, Scotland, England, and Australia.
Katharine Hartnett is an educator from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick. She has worked in New Brunswick Schools for over 25 years as vice-principal, principal, resource and classroom teacher. Katharine currently works at Anglophone School District West as a Resource Coordinator.
Zeinab Razavi is a PhD candidate at the University of New Brunswick. She has taken part in a range of research initiatives, notably in the areas of leadership and sexuality education.
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