 Dr.
Felicia
Blacher-Wilson
Assistant Professor
Division of Education
Old
Dominion University
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to LASER Programs
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Gifts of the Spirit:
The Role of Spirituality in Effective Leadership
In
the months and days following the events of September
11, 2001, and after tragic events in schools where students
bear arms and kill each other in mass, Americans seem
to be stunned, somewhat confused, and seeking answers
and safe havens. The workplace, once an oasis for some,
now may loom as a place that could possibly stand as
a beaconing light for those who seek to do harm to others.
Many are now looking within self and outside of self
to find strength and peace—the will to go forth.
Those who occupy leadership positions in urban schools
have always had a difficult job. That responsibility
has become even more difficult and demanding requiring
those leaders to lean more on some ‘inner’ or ‘unseen’ help.
This project seeks to explore how spiritual beliefs impact
a person’s leadership style and ability to cope
in varying situations. The focus is aspiring and practicing
urban school administrators, the role of spirituality
in the effectiveness of administrators in Professional
Development Schools, and the extent to which participants
engage in daily spiritually defined activities while
in the workplace. |
