Date of Award

Summer 7-15-2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Keith Larick, Ed.D

Second Advisor

Cindy Peterson, Ed.D

Third Advisor

Carlos V. Guzman, Ph.D

Abstract

Purpose: It is the purpose of this explanatory mixed-method study to identify and describe the leadership strategies that exemplary elementary school principals use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy's five leadership qualities of cultural differences.

Methodology: For this study, an explanatory mixed-method design was used to conduct research to identify and describe the leadership strategies that exemplary elementary school principals use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy's five leadership qualities of cultural differences. The study's quantitative part was conducted using a SurveyMonkey delivered to each participant. In the survey, participants were asked if they were willing to take part in a one-to-one interview for follow-ups. Once identified, the qualitative research was used to conduct a one-to-one interview with each exemplary elementary school principal.

Findings: Analysis of the data resulted in 9 coded themes with 194 frequencies among the five elements of Kennedy’s (2008) leadership qualities of cultural differences. From the 9 themes, 6 key findings emerged.

Conclusions: The study identified and described the leadership strategies that exemplary elementary school principals use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy’s (2008) five leadership qualities of cultural difference of a) making diversity a priority, b) getting to know people and their difference, c) enabling rich communication, d) accountability as a core value, e) mutualism as the final arbiter.

Recommendations: Continued research in identifying and describing leadership strategies in creating an organizational culture of inclusiveness is necessary. It is recommended to conduct a case study at a school where a culture of inclusion exist and identify specific behaviors that created the culture of inclusion. It is also recommended that the scope of the study extends beyond school principals and identify strategies teachers use to create a culture of inclusion in their classroom. This study should also be replicated in other regions of the California, United States, and other parts of the world.

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