Article
Making Meaning of Educational Leadership: The Principalship in Metaphor
NASSP Bulletin
(2007)
Abstract
This article explores how future educational leaders make meaning of the principalship through metaphor. At the conclusion of a university principal preparation program, principal interns were asked to use figurative language to represent the principalship. The metaphors identified four distinct themes: (a) protection and nurturing; (b) skill, adventure, or problem solving; (c) challenge, risk, and threat; and (d) chance and luck. Their responses provide a glimpse into their perceptions and mental models that shape their understanding and influence leadership behaviors.
Keywords
- metaphor,
- mental models,
- principal preparation,
- reflective practice,
- figurative language
Disciplines
Publication Date
June, 2007
DOI
10.1177/0192636507302095
Citation Information
Genie B. Linn, Ross B Sherman and Peggy B. Gill. "Making Meaning of Educational Leadership: The Principalship in Metaphor" NASSP Bulletin Vol. 91 Iss. 2 (2007) p. 161 - 171 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ross-sherman/31/