One against the grain: Re-imagining the face of school leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 12 June 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reframe transformative and culturally sustaining leadership for a diverse global society by addressing the need for educational systems to better serve people of color, situated in the urban Auckland area of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), who have been marginalized by the societies to which they immigrate.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded in an applied critical theoretical framework, this qualitative inquiry uses raw auto-ethnographical data gleaned from a case study featuring the voice of Deva, a Malaysian Punjabi woman educator, who is also an aspiring school leader. In aspects of her auto-ethnography, she candidly shares experiences of racism, discrimination, and oppression germane to her professional educational experiences in Aotearoa NZ.
Findings
Findings inform practice and policy to foster more inclusive school improvement in a bicultural and increasingly multicultural context that has historically recognized Maori (indigenous to Aotearoa NZ), Pakeha (of European descent), and Pacific Islander (e.g. Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Niue, Cook Islands) achievement in a national context. Global and international implications are included.
Originality/value
This contribution presents a unique perspective showcasing Deva’s direct experiences with acknowledgment of and professional positioning around Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi, the principles of which are now being applied not only to the rights of Maori and Pakeha, but also Pacific Islander and immigrants to the country.
Keywords
Citation
Johnson Santamaria, L., Peter Santamaria, A. and Singh, G.K.P. (2017), "One against the grain: Re-imagining the face of school leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 612-621. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-11-2016-0237
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited