Publication Date
Spring 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education
Advisor
Rebeca Burciaga; Norma Martinez-Palmer; Veneice Guillroy-Lacy
Abstract
This qualitative participatory study focused on understanding the experiences of Latina elementary school principals on their pathway to school leadership and how cultural intuition and community cultural wealth influence their approaches to school leadership. Chicana Feminist Epistemology (CFE) and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) framed the study, while testimonio y pláticas served as the methodological framework. The concept of Community Cultural Wealth served as an analytical framework. Students of color often feel their histories, experiences, and languages are undervalued in education. Participants in this study shared challenges in navigating school, coming from families that valued education but faced barriers. Their interconnected experiences reflected individual and collective growth, allowing them to serve with care and compassion. The study highlights how Latina elementary school principals lead with cultura y corazón, shaped by their own backgrounds.
Recommended Citation
Alvarez, Mariana M., "Cultura Y Corazón: Latina Elementary School Principals Leading Schools" (2025). Dissertations. 119.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.w4j6-t3tv
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_dissertations/119
