School Principals in Mexico

Cases of Leadership Success

Edited by:
Carmen Celina Torres Arcadia, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Norma Guadalupe Pesqueira, Red de Investigación en Gestión Educativa Investigación Educativa
Elizabeth T. Murakami, University of North Texas

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

Published 2019

This volume demonstrates how principals influence success in 14 elementary schools across Mexico. The cases show the importance of learning in an international school leadership context to address cultural, social, and academic needs of students in their families. Characteristics of successful principals are included, in order to exemplify contemporary practices, generate positive school climate, and the best possible development of children in diverse contexts.

The cases presented in this book relate to challenging and vulnerable contexts or high-needs schools. Knowledge about successful school leadership in vulnerable contexts has been highly pursued in the U.S. and abroad, especially in countries where educational disparities relate to equity and social justice. The value of school principals merit visibility with a focus on the Americas.

Especially in challenging contexts, school leadership is considered a determining factor in promoting the development of children. Nonetheless, there is much to learn about contemporary school leaders, who succeed in improving schools despite societal challenges. Challenges may include increasing socioeconomic restraints, high accountability demands, and reduced resources for public education. Of note, is that a formal preparation and assignment of principals is not equitably established in Mexico, generating a high need for leaders to be prepared for this important role. By highlighting best leadership practices, practitioners and scholars can reflect about United States and Mexico educational comparisons, and observe school improvement geared towards benefitting Latinx communities in both countries.

CONTENTS
Preface. Acknowledgments. Introduction: School Principals in Mexico: Cases of Leadership Success. PART I: CHIHUAHUA. It Is Not Difficult to Do Things, It Is Difficult to Be Convinced: The Case of Carlos Avila Aguilar, Eva Mendez Salcido. A Commitment With Duty and Service Improvement: The Case of Martí n Jacquez Hernandez, Ildefonso Ruiz Benìtez. PART II: GUANAJUATO. Change and Successful Improvement: The Case of Victoria, Aguirre Herna ndez, Jorge Antonio Alfaro Rivera. PART III: MERIDA. A Dream Come True: The Case of Eduardo Gaspar Mendoza Osorio, Eudaldo Jose Ceballos Carrillo. A Middle School for the Workers’ Children: The Case of Luis Echeverría Navarro, Mario Ricardo Toledo Pérez. Together We Will Accomplish It: The Case of Victor Amí lcar Arceo Guzman, Israel De Jesus Carvajal Hernandez. PART IV: MONTERREY. Visionary Leadership: The Case of Irene Villafuerte Elizondo, Carmen Celina Torres Arcadia and Rosario Villela Treviño. Commitment, Respect, and Discipline: The Case of Salvador Nader, Maria Teresa Garza Buentello and Maria Del Socorro Covarrubias Martinez. PART V: SAN LUIS POTOSI. The Complex Task of Managing a Secondary School: The Case of Marí a Isabel Ba rcenas Leura, María Eugenia Tobias Tobias. Ruling Oneself and Sharing Leadership: The Case of Alfonso Ramos Cedillo, María Guadalupe Escalante Bravo. Respect, Responsibility, and Love in Education: The Case of Gaudencio Medellí n Herbert, Marcela de la Concepción Mireles Medina. PART VI: TUXTLA GUTIERREZ. The Perfect Balance: The Case of Jose Edmundo Fuentes Martí nez, Juan Carlos Silas Casillas and Pedro Carrasco Morgan. PART VII: XAPALA. Outdoors: The Case of Maricela Martí nez Martí nez, Magdalena Flores Márquez and Carolina Flores Cervantes. A Committed Academic Leader: The Case of Maria Piedad Elvia Lara Berra, Maria Cristina Lara Bada. Epilogue. About the Editors. About the Contributors.