Social Justice Leadership and Family Engagement: A Successful Case From Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Abstract
Research Approach: This in-depth qualitative case study explores one school leader’s enactment of social justice leadership in an elementary school in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Analysis of interviews and observations revealed how this leader adapted her leadership to prioritize the severe needs of families and students in one of the world’s most violent cities. Findings: The article describes how the leader made sense of the community and its needs. Then, it examines how the leader enacted social justice leadership by addressing the out-of-school challenges that affected student achievement and well-being. Consequently, the leader’s focus shifted toward meaningful family engagement through adult education, community advocacy, and critical questioning of the status quo. Implications: Implications for future research, theory, and administrator preparation programs are presented at the conclusion of the article.
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Biographies
David E. DeMatthews is an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Education. He has worked with urban districts as a high school teacher, middle school administrator, and district administrator. His research interests include K-12 school leadership, urban education, special education, dual language education, and social justice.
D. Brent Edwards Jr. is an assistant professor of theory and methodology in the School of Education at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. His work focuses on the global governance of education; education policy, politics and political economy, with a focus on low-income countries; and democratic alternatives to dominant education models.
Rodolfo Rincones is an associate professor and the chair of the Educational Leadership and Foundations Department at the University of Texas El Paso. His research interests include K-20 policy, globalization and education, professional union and social movements, and evaluation research. He teaches courses on U.S.–Mexico border studies, quantitative research methods, and evaluation and program planning.
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Article first published online: August 20, 2016
Issue published: December 2016
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