Leadership Practices of Middle Managers in Selected Secondary Schools in Jamaica

Abstract

The study was specifically designed to explore the leadership density in selected secondary schools by examining how leadership at the middle tier is conceived and implemented. This focus was predicated on the increasing demand to acknowledge the layers of leadership that exists in schools. Additionally, there is a growing need to direct attention to this tier by building their leadership capacities as the expectations regarding accountability in the educational system increases. In pursuing this investigation, a qualitative research design was used and therefore the main data collection tool was in depth semi-structured interviews. In addition, a ranking activity was done by the respondents as well as observations and review of documents were also included in the data gathering procedures. These tools while providing rich data, also served an integral function of triangulation. This provision was made possible from respondents drawn from a pool of middle managers in selected secondary schools using purposive sampling. The data revealed that both categories of middle managers saw their roles as very important to the effectiveness of the organization. Their significance was supported by the principals of the schools in which the middle managers operate. While middle managers expressed their understanding of some fundamental leadership practices through the ranking activity, the evidence of alignment in their conversations about their own practices reflected gaps between their beliefs and the description of their practices. The data further revealed that variation was evident in the conceptualization and implementation of leadership practices within and across the schools. Clear identification of a sustained plan for leadership development for the team members led by the middle managers was not easily detected. This was not surprising as it was clear that middle managers were not exposed to a preparation program to transition from classroom teacher to middle manager. Keywords: leadership practices, middle managers ’practice, and team leadership.