Social Justice Leaders: Critical Moments in Headteachers’/Principals’ Development

Being a social justice leader makes significantdemands on the individual headteacher/principal particularly where there may beconflict, competing demands and significant resistance both within the schooland the wider community. There is a question then about what motivates someheadteachers to commit to pursuing social justice and equity in their role andwhat part their own experiences play in their stance around social justiceleadership. This article draws from the case studies conducted in Scotland aspart of the Social Justice Leadership research strand of the InternationalSchool Leadership Development Network (ISLDN). In the ISLDN framework the headteacheris characterized at the micro level. The leadership stories illustrate thatthis micro level is complex and includes not only the practices of theseleaders but their stance, personal and professional experiences and continuingprofessional learning.