Modeling Leadership: A Grounded Theory on becoming educational leaders

• Main Author: Agudilla, Montano, Jr.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2020
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdd_elmd/17
• Institution: De La Salle University

This Grounded Theory (GT) study is conducted to determine the main concern of principals in Basic Education Institutions (BEI’s) in the Philippines and how this concern is continually resolved. This is to develop a grounded theory of being caring educational leaders. The twelve principal-participants were purposely selected on the basis of care being in the position for ten years and above. This study is an attempt to explore the life of educational leaders in BEI’s relative to caring – thus, the becoming of the GT. Further, this research explored the vitality of the culture of care in educational institutions as it has not been the focus of extant literatures although its effectiveness is affirmed in health institutes (Cara, 2003; Watson, 2005; 2008). Using GT, the researcher penetrated into this school leadership phenomenon. The data were gathered by means of personal interview with the principal-participants. By constantly comparing incidents from incidents in the written, coded, memoed and sorted interview transcripts, the concurring patterns of social behavior – modelling leadership – has emerged from the data as the grounded theory of caring educational leadership. The findings of the study showed how the principal-participants modelled nurturing unconditional serviceability, integrating collaborative engagement and driving passion for service. The study generated that modelling leadership is a consistent practice of service grounded on ability and humility. It inspires and drives people to active engagement. Therefore, it is recommended that all education pratitioners should realize the value of care in dealing with people and in creating a happy work space.