Please join us in congratulating Margaret Paxton who successfully defended her EdD Dissertation on March 23 of 2026.
Title:
The Heart is the Loom: Principals and Vice Principals Leading for Social Justice in British Columbia
Abstract:
Principals and vice principals in British Columbia’s public schools work to ensure that schools are socially just places of learning. They must abide by provincial and school district laws and policies including those that protect the human rights of students and staff. Their work often entails complex situations when tensions related to race, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, poverty, and colonization arise, for example. As well, they work to create the conditions in which all students and their families have equitable resources, opportunities, representation, recognition, and respect. This research sought to answer these questions: How do BC principals and vice principals lead for greater social justice in their schools? How do they define social justice, and what actions do they take to address conditions that marginalize and oppress different groups of students? What sustains them in their work? This research was conducted as a narrative inquiry with six principals and vice principals from around the province, recommended to the researcher by third parties who know the suggested participants to be effective leaders for social justice in their schools, who are committed to equitable recognition, representation, and respect, as well as the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. Once the participants had agreed to be interviewed, they were asked about their understanding of social justice and invited to share stories about the actions that they have taken. In doing so, they described some of the challenges that they face and the strategies they employ to overcome those challenges. The participants share, despite their different contexts, leadership qualities of adamance, generosity, attentiveness, creativity, and reverence.
Supervisory Committee:
Dr. Sabre Cherkowski
Dr. Mark Edwards
Dr. Deirdre Kelly
Dr. Lisa Bernoties
We are thankful for the Examining Committee’s contribution and expertise.
Dr. Ann Lopez, University of Toronto, External Examiner
Dr. Fei Wang, EDST, University Examiner
Dr. Leyton Schnellert, EDCP, University Examiner
Dr. Nuno Porto, Chair of Examination Committee
Congratulations Margaret!