Conceptualizing a pedagogy of wellness for rural district leadership: leading, healing and leading self-healing
Journal of Educational Administration
ISSN: 0957-8234
Article publication date: 16 June 2020
Issue publication date: 16 July 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This article considers the integration of aspects of mindfulness, social and emotional learning (SEL) and leadership wellness practice as a structure for a pedagogy of wellness in rural schools. Research has demonstrated positive outcomes for K–12 students and teachers as a result of training in practices such as mindfulness and SEL, but there has been less attention toward wellness practices incorporated by educational leaders in their own work. Support of professional and community learning for mindfulness may begin with district and school-based leaders in many communities, who facilitate programs in their schools.
Design/methodology/approach
This article explores an emergent pedagogy of wellness, which was developed in a small rural district that applied wellness programming, including mindfulness, with parallel learning experiences for leaders, staff members, students and families.
Findings
Through engagement with multiple local stakeholder groups in integrating themes of SEL, mindfulness and leadership wellness, the pedagogy of wellness emerged as a potential framework for improved organizational health, new conceptualizations of students’ success and opportunities for engagement of families in systemic organization of practices of care.
Originality/value
Consideration of the preparation of leadership in wellness practices such as mindfulness is discussed, in light of the necessity to address the care and wellness needs of rural communities, toward the sustainability of the pedagogy of wellness.
Keywords
Citation
Ryan, A.M. (2020), "Conceptualizing a pedagogy of wellness for rural district leadership: leading, healing and leading self-healing", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 58 No. 4, pp. 453-466. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-06-2019-0100
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited