Teachers' experiences and perceptions of voluntary committee work as a vehicle for leadership development

In response to a looming leadership shortage, leadership development for teachers has become an increasingly important area of interest around the world. A review of the literature identified the key components of educational leadership development programs as effective curriculum, leadership practice, relationship building, and reflection. A gap in the research was found regarding the use of voluntary committee work as a vehicle for leadership practice. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers' perceptions of their experiences within board-level committees to determine the key factors that contributed, positively or negatively, to their leadership,pevelopment. A qualitative research design was employed using semistructured interviews with 8 participants. The key findings included a list of factors perceived by teachers as either supporting or hindering their leadership development. The supporting factors were: (a) leadership practice, (b) mentors and role models, (c) relationships and networks, and (d) positive outcomes for students. The hindering factors were: (a) lack of follow through and support, (b) committee members with a careerist approach to the experience, (c) personal and political agendas, and (d) overcommitment leading to burnout. Recommendations for practice focused on strategies to enhanc~_ the committee experience as a tool for leadership development. Recommendations for theory and research suggested more research be done on each of the 8 key factors, perceptions associated with teachers choosing to follow a leadership path, and how school boards can structure the committee process as an effective leadership development tool. This study provides a starting point for educators to begin to intentionally design, develop, and deliver voluntary committee experiences as a tool for leadership development.

“Illegal Aliens” and the Inconspicuous Geographies of US Immigration and Border Policing within 100 Miles of the US-Canada Border

Legal provisions in the US have extended the idea of the border to the inside of US territory. Border Patrol Agents confront people in different spaces to inquire about their status. I examine border policing along the northern border of the United States through textual and discourse analysis. This thesis asks: How do border agents exercise power and control the movement of people within 100 miles of the border? In whose interest is the border, the “nation,” secured? The spaces in which these mobile borders are practiced become the sites where “citizens” and “aliens” are produced, reproduced and contested. These border policing practices create the illusion of a “nation” that is secured for “our” interests. However, the interests of these vulnerable groups are not reflected in the immigration policy and along the “border. Therefore the very existence of immigrants and their basic right to be in the US is undermined.

License no. 144 of season 1872/73 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192

License no. 144 of season 1872/73 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192. This document is slightly torn and stained along the right hand side. This does not affect the text, April 7, 1873.

License no. 145 of season 1872/73 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198

License no. 145 of season 1872/73 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198, April 7, 1873.

License no. 67 of season 1873/74 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192

License no. 67 of season 1873/74 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192, June 13, 1873

License no. 68 of season 1873/74 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198

License no. 68 of season 1873/74 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198, June 13, 1873.

License no. 11 of season 1874/75 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198

License no. 11 of season 1874/75 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198, May 20, 1874.

License no. 5 of season 1875/76 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192

License no. 5 of season 1875/76 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192, June 1, 1875.

License no. 2 of season 1886/87 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192

License no. 2 of season 1886/87 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192, May 15, 1876.

License no. 3 of season 1886/87 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198

License no. 3 of season 1886/87 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198, May 15, 1876

License no. 7 of season 1877/78 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198

License no. 7 of season 1877/78 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 35 ¾ square miles in berth no. 198, May 31, 1877.

License no. 6 of season 1877/78 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no.192

License no. 6 of season 1877/78 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no.192, May 31, 1877.

License no. 87 of season 1879/80 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192

License no. 87 of season 1879/80 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192, June 3, 1879.

License no. 26 of season 1880/81 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192

License no. 26 of season 1880/81 made out to S.D. Woodruff for 36 square miles in berth no. 192, May 27, 1880.