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Articles

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2014): Inaugural Issue

Southeast Asian Women in K-12 Educational Leadership Positions

Submitted
February 2, 2014
Published
2014-02-02

Abstract

The number of Southeast Asian women in the field of K-12 educational leadership positions in
California’s Central Valley is a current topic that deserves academic attention. Data
documenting the success of Southeast Asian female K-12 school administrators is difficult to
find because Southeast Asian women working in K-12 school administration is a recent
demographic and no such study currently exists. This study focuses on the challenges of gender,
ethnicity, and the leadership styles of Southeast Asian women in K-12 administration and
teacher-leader positions. The role of a school leader is challenging, overwhelming, and stressful.
Despite the perceived undesirable responsibilities of the job, some Southeast Asian women are
motivated to pursue positions of K-12 educational leadership. Present trends of hiring and
recruiting diversity in education have widened the pool of potential school leaders. The purpose
of this project is to explore the challenges and discover the ways that Southeast Asian women
have been able to overcome obstacles in K-12 school administration.

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