Leading Schools Through and Beyond the Pandemic

Edited by:
Suzy Hardie, University of South Carolina
Helen Goode, The University of Melbourne
David Gurr, University of Melbourne

A volume in the series: International Research on School Leadership. Editor(s): David Gurr, University of Melbourne. Elizabeth T. Murakami, University of North Texas.

Published 2024

Much of the literature has relied on others commenting on the work of educational leaders, rather than the voice of the leaders driving the commentary. There have been few studies attempting to capture principal voices within and between countries. The International School Leadership Development Network (ISLDN) was formed in 2009 and has had scholars from more than 20 countries involved (Barnett & Woods, 2021). In response to the pandemic, the ISLDN embarked on a study that analyzed the impact Covid-19 had on the school leaders and the way that they lead. The study captures a unique timeframe as the school leaders were still leading through the pandemic and adjusting to leadership after a global pandemic. In this book we are using these cases to describe how principals not only led their schools during the pandemic, but what they are doing as we come out of the pandemic.

What makes this book different from many of the other publications about education and the pandemic is: A) Principal voice is often missing from research and writing about the educational impact of the COVID pandemic. B) The book draws upon empirical research conducted in 2022. It is reporting on principal case studies collected as part of the research of the International School Leadership Development Network. There are 37 principal cases from seven countries, and 25 writers. These cases have not been reported elsewhere and were collected especially for the book. C) The cases are focused not only on how principals led their school through the pandemic, but how they are leading beyond the pandemic. A feature of the cases is reflection on enduring changes to education and the implications for future educational leadership. D) Whilst principals discuss their responses to the various mandates and pressures, and what worked well and what could have been done better, they also reflect on the support they gave others, and the support they got.

CONTENTS
Dedications. Preface: Leading Schools Through and Beyond the Pandemic, Bruce Barnett. Introduction to Leading Through and Beyond the Pandemic, Suzy Hardie, Helen Goode, and David Gurr. Leading Schools Through and Beyond Extensive Lockdowns: Experiences of Six Principals in Melbourne, Australia, David Gurr, Lawrie Drysdale, Helen Goode, Fiona Longmuir, Campbell McKay, Kendra Parker, Chris Reed, and Paul Sedunary. Navigating Uncertainty During Crisis: Insights into the Experiences of Three Western Australian Principals, Michelle Striepe. Understanding Principal’s Well-being and Leadership Practices during the Pandemic in a Small School in Rural Manitoba, Canada, Morag Ivany and Peng Liu. Leadership in Ghana during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Voices from Suburban and Rural Head-teachers, Corinne Brion. Leading a Private Bilingual School in Kuwait through COVID-19 and Beyond, Suzy Hardie, Peter Moyi, and Taji Abdul-Raheem. The Switch to Online Schooling: Experiences of the Pandemic from School Principals in Malta, Denise Mifsud. Aotearoa New Zealand: Leading for Equity through Disruption and Uncertainty, Sylvia Robertson. Strengthening a Culture of Care: Narratives of Two Experienced Principals in Southern California During and Post-Pandemic, Betty J. Alford. Georgia’s Leaders in a Time of Crisis: Stories of Resilience from the Field, Jami Royal Berry, Karen C. Bryant, Beth Hebert, James Zoll, Tifane Johnson, Sean Schinella, and Carol Williams. Navigating the Challenges of the Principalship in the Southeastern United States during the Pandemic, Peter Moyi and Suzy Hardie. The personal and professional reflections of three Texas high school administrators during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nathern S. Okilwa, Barbara L. Pazey, and Bruce G. Barnett. Reflections on Leading Schools through and beyond the Pandemic, Helen Goode, David Gurr, and Suzy Hardie. Editor Biographies.