Copyright by Willie Yvonne Johnson 2006 The Dissertation Committee for Willie Yvonne Johnson certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: THE EFFECTS OF RACE AND GENDER ON THE SUPERINTENDENCY: VOICES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE SUPERINTENDENTS Committee: Norma Cantu, Supervisor James Scheurich, Co -Supervisor Nolan Estes Shernaz Garcia Martha Ovando THE EFFECTS OF RACE AND GENDER ON THE SUPERINTENDENCY: VOICES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE SUPERINTENDENTS by Willie Yvonne Johnson, B.S.; M.Ed. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin May 2006 Dedication I dedicate this work to the four African American female superintendents (two current and two former) who agreed to join me in this quest by sharing their lived experiences in the superintendency. These women, who work daily to improve the lives and futures of all students in their districts, have set themselves apart as beacons of light as examples of servant leadership and tempered radicals within the superintendency. Their narrative stores of their experiences provide hope for an improved and more inclusive superintendency in this country, instead of one that is oppressive and troubled. My hope is that this work serves as a way of honoring you for sharing of yourself with me during this work as you have truly served to renew my spirit and belief in the public school superintendency. This work is also dedicated in honor of my family, especially my aunts, Hermer Lee Crayton Simmons, Thelma Lee Crayton Cain, Ida B. Crayton Webb, and the late Blanche Brown, who radiates strength and womanhood daily as an example to women everywhere to see. In loving memory of my parents, Mr. Willie B. Talley (1929-2004) and Mrs. Johnnie Mae Crayton Talley (1931-2002) who were loving and supportive of me and this project until the very end. Acknowledgments I must acknowledgment by gratitude and thankfulness to my committee members who have been so instrumental in supporting this study. Dr. Norma Cantu, committee supervisor, has provided warm leadership, encouragement, guidance, and assistance in each segment of this research. With Dr. Cantu’s experience as an attorney and educational administrator, her leadership allowed my committee to flow like a well-oiled machine and for that I am eternally grateful. Dr. James Scheurich, committee co-supervisor, has provided the technical expertise of each facet of this study. He has encouraged me with every rewrite and life circumstance to keep going. I count myself blessed to have had such a gifted writer and researcher on my committee. Dr. Scheurich presently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University at College Station, after serving as Professor at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Nolan Estes hired me for my first teaching job in the Dallas Independent School District. I would have never dreamed of being in a doctoral program with him serving as the director. He truly is a “gentle giant” among others in the area of urban superintendency. The knowledge, skills, and exposure Dr. Estes has afforded each member of the Cooperative Superintendency Program cannot be measured or described, so I will just say that his presence made the program awesome and powerful and my committee more complete. Dr. Martha Ovando, who serves as our Graduate Advisor, added the flavor of how to be an unwavering effective female professor and shared her scholarly wisdom. I am very honored to have had Dr. v Ovando serve on my committee. Last, but not least, Dr. Shernaz Garcia’s keen eye for detail and writing mechanics helped to improve the quality of my writing. Her constant support and offer of assistant was a crucial part on my committee and is greatly appreciated. The staff in the Department of Educational Administration have provided assistance and encouragement. Special thanks to Naomi, Hortensia, Linda, Jennifer, and Sarah for your positive attitude and support. You are such special ladies. I also wish to acknowledge the friendship and support of the Cooperative Superintendency Fells, Cycle XIII. Without their constant encouragement and support, this study would not have been possible. I especially wish to express my gratitude to Delfino, Donna, Helen, John, Juanita, Kathy, Lou, Roland, Sylvia, Velma, and Wanda for being my listening ears, constructive critics, and friends during this tedious process. I owe a debt to the following pastors and churches for their fellowship, prayers, support, and love: Pastor Bryan Carter and the Concord Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas; Pastor Kevin Rodgers and the Covenant Baptist Church of Lancaster, Texas; Pastor Marvin Griffin and the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Austin, Texas; St. Paul United Methodist Church of Jefferson, Texas, where my husband served as pastor for 18 years; Bethel United Methodist Church of Queen City, Texas, where my husband served as pastor for 4 years; Pastor Karry Wesley and the Antioch Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas; Pastor Robert H. Wilson, Sr., and the Cornerstone Baptist vi Church of Christ of Dallas, Texas; and Pastor Jimmie Moore and the Lake Providence Baptist Church of Gilmer, Texas. Finally, I must acknowledge the contribution of my family, who has been beside me each step of the way in reaching this academic milestone. My mother and father provided me with the courage to dare to dream of obtaining a Ph.D. My only regret is that they did not live to see and share this day, although I feel their presence in spirit daily. My husband, Rev. Carl Johnson, whom I lovingly call “Big Daddy” (because of his big heart), for all his unconditional love and support. We had a lot of up hill and valley experiences during this process but we can truly testify that “Love… endurest all things” (I Cor. 13:7). I also thank my five brothers—John, Ronell, Darryl, Stephen, Jansu—and my sister, Michelle, and my many brothers-in law and sisters-in-law for every kind thought, prayer, and loving gesture throughout our lives. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. To my many cousins, nieces, and nephews (including the late “Spud” Talley, who left us too early at the age of 23), thanks for understanding when I could not stop and spend the time with you because of this project. Last, but not least, special thanks to my daughters Monica and Jamesa and stepdaughters Carrol and Sandra for their love and support and grandchildren, step- grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren for being such a joy and making me laugh and remember how to enjoy life. vii THE EFFECTS OF RACE AND GENDER ON THE SUPERINTENDENCY: VOICES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE SUPERINTENDENTS Publication No. _____________ Willie Yvonne Johnson, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, 2006 Supervisor: Norma Cantu Co-Supervisor: James Scheurich Women continue to be underrepresented among American public school superintendents (Skrla, Reyes, & Scheurich, 2000), although they hold the majority of teaching positions and are the majority in administrative preparation courses. The situation is even worse for those who are female and African American. In contrast, White males represent 87% of superintendents (Bell & Chase, 1993). This qualitative study examined the effects of race and gender (the “double whammy”) on four African American female superintendents (two current and two former). This multiple case study presents the perceptions and stories of the intersectionality of race and gender within the superintendency for these four African American female superintendents. The study used critical race theory, Black feminist viii thought, and constructivist epistemologies and data-gathering techniques of participant observation, interviewing, and document collection. This study reveals ways African American female superintendents, in their own narrative voice, juggle their personal and professional lives as they struggle to be accepted as equals in their profession. By gaining a greater understanding of the race and gender inequity within the superintendency, educational communities have the opportunity to eliminate such inequities in the United States public school superintendency. Ultimately, this study contributes to a richer understanding of the context within which African American female superintendents work, which may improve their access to and retention in the superintendency. ix Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION................................................................................. 1 Context of the Problem ..................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................... 6 General Research Focus.................................................................................... 6 Research Methodology ..................................................................................... 7 Limitations of the Study.................................................................................. 10 Significance of the Study................................................................................ 12 Organization of the Study ............................................................................... 13 Summary........................................................................................................