Within this article, we thematically present common challenges associated with the role of the rural principal. In this literature review, we delimit our search to work published from 2003–2013. A limitation of this study is that it represents data predominantly from American, Canadian, and Australian rural settings, restricting a global applicability of results. Findings highlight that many rural principal candidates face a hiring disadvantage if they do not have a historical connection with the community advertising a position. Additional challenges include juggling diverse responsibilities, lack of professional development and resources, gender discrimination, and issues surrounding school accountability and change. This information is beneficial for researchers, policymaker, senior educational leaders, principals, vice-principals, teachers, parents, and community members interested in school leadership within rural communities. We conclude that to be successful, rural principals must be able to nimbly mediate relations within the local community and the larger school system.

Despite policy changes in a growing number of countries to increase the quality of early years education through the introduction of national curricular frameworks, conceptualizations of early childhood professionals remain distinctly variegated. Early learning curriculum frameworks have become embedded into the 21st-century early learning movement, creating a shift in professional deliverables and system expectations. This study explores how early childhood educators (ECEs) in Prince Edward Island (PEI) understand the concept of professionalism in their everyday practice. The researchers used qualitative methodology and a variety of methods, including workshops, interviews, and field notes, to gain insight into how ECEs understand professionalism. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis and understood through the lens of sociocultural theories of learning that embrace communities of practice as a positive way to promote professional learning. Primary findings explore (1) how ECEs understand professionalism in PEI, (2) positive and negative impacts on their understanding of professionalism in their daily practice, and (3) professional development opportunities that impact professionalism in the early childhood field.

The purpose of this article is to describe student experiences when incorporating Twitter into a Bachelor of Education (BEd) course. Data for this participatory action research were gathered from eight first-year BEd students who provided written answers to 16 open-ended questions and participated in two focus group interviews. Findings indicated that, after participants completed a Twitter assignment, their views of Twitter and its applicability in educational realms changed. Analyzed through the emerging concept of new pedagogy, the Twitter experience enhanced collaboration and communication between student and the instructor. An implication is that if BEd students are to effectively incorporate technology into future kindergarten to grade 12 classrooms, they need to experience digital literacy during undergraduate courses.

Article Info This paper reports on the development of the revised Social

The dearth of women in higher education both as full professors and senior administrators is alarming, and the factors impeding their entrance and limiting their advancement are relatively unknown. The purpose of this research was to document the lived experiences of women leaders who were full professors or who held senior leadership positions in two universities in Atlantic Canada. I researched the perceived supports, challenges, and barriers that women leaders faced in their professional lives, as well as the influence of gender in their leadership positions. I approached the research from a social constructivism standpoint and utilized a phenomenological research design. I used standpoint theory to analyze the data. Data sources included two interviews with each participant and a seven-day leadership journal from each participant. Women noted multiple supports, challenges, and barriers in their personal and professional lives. Supports include husbands, mentors, workshops, and networking. Challenges and barriers included children, colleagues, work/life conflicts, invisibility, and a lack of leadership development programs. Findings indicated that gender equality has not been achieved in the postsecondary setting, and gendered expectations, sexism, and discrimination remain strong barriers for women. Applying standpoint theory, the social location of the participants impacted their lives, opinions, and views of leadership in postsecondary institutions. Their lived realities and experiences changed over time as the academic and institutional culture changed over time, and, as such, their views about women and leadership were altered. Implications of this work are that university leaders need to create supports for women and make them easily accessible, and create a women-friendly environment that will increase the ease with which women can enter, advance, and succeed in the institution.