When Hispanic Students Are Not Expected to Succeed

This case focuses on culturally responsive leadership. Culturally responsive leadership is defined here by the way the principal manifests his or her advocacy for the children he or she serves. In this principal’s case, the authors analyze characteristics of culturally responsive leadership in an inner-city elementary school with a majority of Hispanic students. During her tenure as a principal at Stephens, Ms. Martinez sharply raised the academic performance of students. However, far from idyllic, her experience in the school involved courage and resilience.