Diversity and Leadership Roles Diversity Typically Plays

Diversity and Leadership Roles

Diversity typically plays a major role in leadership and administrative issues in a school setting. Many schools have a widely diverse student body, faculty, and administration, and diversity issues involving gender, ethnicity, religious affiliations, and even basic social perspectives occur on a daily basis (Howard, 2007). As a grade school principal I am often charged with helping different interest groups such as parents, students and teachers navigate different issues involving diversity. I serve as lead administrator in an urban school, which has a population that is roughly one-third Asian-American, one-third African-American, and one-third Latino. As an administrator I play a key role in encouraging effective communications between different students, students and teachers and between parents and staff.

My perspective on diversity is highly influenced by my own personal identity. As an African-American man I am extremely aware of the influences issues such as racism, classism, and stereotyping can have on young students and even on their families. I view my role in school leadership one that sets the tone for the school community, and I am clear with students and teachers that diversity is an issue that should be discussed and celebrated openly. I encourage my staff to view issues of diversity not only through the lens of political correctness, but with a genuine interest in and intention towards helping young people explore different cultures and perspectives. I want my students and teachers to develop a true curiosity and respect for the unfamiliar and a sense of empathy for those who may be less fortunate. For example, many of my staff members come from upper middle class, college-educated families, and in some cases it is difficult for them to related to students who come from very poor immigrant families. I encourage them to be curious and open towards both students and parents who may not speak English as their first language or who may be struggling financially. Instead of feeling pity for these families I want my teachers to have empathy while also challenging students of every background to achieve at the same level.

I've been in an unusually beneficial position at my current post because my school administration and staff is a widely diverse group. This diversity helps me gain a wide variety of perspective on key issues that affect the day-to-day administration and functioning of the school. For example, I work with both male and female assistants, one of whom has a family and one who does not. This mixed perspective help me garner a sense of how both male and female employees may view my leadership decisions and how employees with and without families may be affected by my policies. As a leader I realize that it is impossible to know exactly how others may view my actions and decisions so outside input is vital to my work.