Role theory and the enactment of teacher leadership

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Patricia Eileen Murillo (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Kathleen Jorissen

Abstract: This study used an online survey to examine whether self-reported teacher leadership is related to role theory as it pertains to role conflict and role ambiguity. A multi-stage clustered sampling process resulted in a sample of 147 certified teachers from ten North Carolina public schools, grades K-12. The sample was predominantly female (75%) and White (88%), with more diversity across age, years of teaching experience, teaching assignment, and education level. Overall teacher leadership, defined as teachers participating in a community of teacher learners to influence others for improved instructional practices in the classroom, the school, and the profession, in decision-making, and in advocating for students and schools, was measured on a 6-point scale (M= 4.43; SD = .87). There was evidence of role conflict (M = 3.04; SD = 1.05) and role ambiguity (M = 2.69; SD = .82). Correlations revealed significant negative relationships between teacher leadership and role conflict, RS (147) = -0.30, p = .000, and between teacher leadership and role ambiguity, RS (147) = -.46, p = .00. Both role conflict and role ambiguity persisted after controlling for intervening variables in linear regression models. The results of this study imply that overall teacher leadership can be increased by reducing role conflict and role ambiguity. Further analysis indicated that teacher leadership may be composed of more than one construct and the effects of role conflict, role ambiguity, and demographic or professional variables differ with the different teacher leadership constructs.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2013
Keywords
role ambiguity, role conflict, role theory, teacher empowerment, teacher leadership, teachers
Subjects
Educational leadership -- North Carolina -- Evaluation -- Case studies
Role conflict

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