Abstract
Purpose of the Study. The purpose of the study was to identify and compare the personal, cultural, and professional experiences, barriers, motivations, role models, leadership skills, career paths, and other factors that were perceived as having contributed to the success of Latinas in the superintendency in the state of California. A second purpose was to offer lessons learned that these successful Latinas have for other aspiring Latinas. Methodology. The subjects in the study were 17 current successful Latina superintendents. Subjects responded to a telephone interview guide regarding their personal, cultural, and professional experiences, barriers, motivations, role models, leadership skills, career paths, and other factors that were perceived as having contributed to the success. Qualitative methods were utilized and data were reported through narrative storytelling. Themes were identified. Findings. Women had experienced support and encouragement from parent, family member, school teacher/professor, and mentor relationships. Academic proficiencies, leadership attributes, professional development, advancement opportunities, and career paths had contributed to their success. All had not aspired to the superintendency. Most had worked in bilingual and migrant education. Most had been appointed into administration positions. Major advice offered included: obtaining a mentor, obtaining appropriate degrees, certificates, and advanced degrees, and acquiring various experiences. They shared more common personal, cultural, and professional experiences, barriers, motivations, role models, leadership skills, and career paths than differences. Conclusions. Latina superintendents were successful when they received familial support, school personnel support, mentoring, acquiring various personal, cultural and professional experiences, and obtaining appropriate educational credentials, degrees, and advanced degrees. Recommendations. Further research is advised. Studies on current Latinos and Latinas in educational leadership about balancing work and family; analyzing the obstacles they encounter in administration; analyzing the motivation factors; and analyzing the differences in leadership style. Additionally, studies comparing the differences between Latinas who entered educational leadership prior to 2000 with those who have since; analyzing their leadership styles, analyzing the perceptions of Latinas as leaders and their effectiveness; and analyzing best practices of Latina led schools identified by AYP.