Prepared to Lead: Educational Leadership Graduates as Catalysts for Social Justice Praxis

Abstract

Situated within PK-12 school settings is the most diverse student population this nation has seen. Concern regarding the preparedness of those at the forefront of education bestows the task to educational leadership programs of developing leaders ready to address social justice issues. This study highlights how graduates from one educational leadership program relied on their academic knowledge and applied critical leadership to operationalize social justice praxis. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, 10 semi-structured interviews revealed three themes. Findings suggest educational leadership programs reflect their mission of social justice values through their curriculum to prepare educational leaders for sustainable change.