Date of Award
5-2019
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Secondary Education and Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Karen Embry Jenlink, Ed.D., Dissertation Chair
Second Advisor
Patrick M. Jenlink, Ed.D., Committee Member
Third Advisor
Freddie Avant, Ph.D., Committee Member
Fourth Advisor
Chance Mays, Ed.D., Committee Member
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this critical autobiography study was to examine how my educational experiences have made me into the man and educational leader I am today. As an African American Male, raised and educated in rural East Texas, this research study allowed me to examine my life experiences as an African American youth, teacher-coach, principal, husband, father, and scholar-practitioner. In the autobiographical narrative, I speak in my native dialect of African American Vernacular English, using my voice to share my lived experiences with the reader.
I utilized Critical Race Theory (CRT) as the lens to guide my methodology. Using CRT, the constructs of race, power, and the marginalized stereotype of the African American Male are interwoven and underscore my stories of overcoming barriers and achieving success as a husband, father, public school principal and preacher. Racism is systemic in today’s U.S. culture. Racism is embedded into social institutions, including schools, and racism continues to oppress marginalized people. However, through my stories of perseverance, I hope to overshadow racism, erase the deficit mindset toward African American males, and give all marginalized people hope.
Repository Citation
James, Derrick, "Determined To Make A Difference: A Critical Autobiography Of An African American Male Principal In The Deep South" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 258.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/258
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
