Worldwide women constitute the majority of the teaching force, but men are more likely to achieve headship. Internationally a number of scholars working within sociology and the sociology of education have focused on the continued influence of gender on the shaping of identity and choices in relation to leadership, work and home. But in Greece the under-representation of women in educational leadership has received limited attention. Why are there so few women in educational leadership? How are leadership and gender constructed by men and women head teachers and teachers? Are the perceptions of men and women different and gendered? What is the future for women in leadership in Greece? Emmy Papanastasiou uses qualitative data from interviews with men and women head teachers and teachers in Greece and analyzes them using a feminist social constructionist framework to provide some answers to these key questions. In doing so, the book sheds light on social, cultural and political factors that influence women's potential advancement in educational leadership.

Educational research and innovation are directed towards defining, implementing, and evaluating the principles guiding teaching and educational practices, with the fundamental purpose of improvement. The chapters comprising this monographic volume constitute valuable contributions to this objective, adopting an inter and transdisciplinary perspective, a particularly sought-after aspect in the field of international educational studies. They address issues that, transcending their curricular context, delve into broader frameworks and contribute to addressing current educational challenges. Ultimately, this volume focuses on new curricular, methodological, and resource evaluation orientations and developments. It aims to provide responses that foster the development of critical and creative thinking skills, competency-based learning, informed decision-making, and the promotion of quality teacher training. These perspectives draw from the most recent international scientific literature, solidifying their rigor and ensuring their scientific value.

The Early Years of Leadership: The Journey Begins is distinctive for many reasons, chief among which is a strong commitment to honoring practitioners’ stories and empirical research. The chapters in this volume also represent the work of scholars and school practitioners from the global north and south. The fusion of diverse international perspectives allows for greater identification of local and global commonalities and trends that would provide aspiring and novice school principals with practical information and strategies for their development. These include strategies for helping them to find their internal motivation and a roadmap to develop leadership philosophies and negotiate common leadership pitfalls within and outside of the school community. This book is intended for use by aspiring and incumbent school administrators and students enrolled in educational leadership and administration courses. Each chapter offers an overview of the specific area of focus and concludes with reflective activities and questions for discussion. It can therefore be used as a companion reader for administrators, as well as a teaching tool by universities and other professional development programs. ENDORSEMENTS: "As an educational leader spanning almost three decades, I find “The Early Years of Leadership: The Journey Begins” a delightful must read for both the seasoned and up and coming educational leader, whose objective is a successful career at leading in a changing and challenging educational environment. I commend the Editorial Team for providing a guidebook for managing challenges faced by novice leaders; suggestions for crafting a leadership philosophy; and advice on how to negotiate micro-politics and challenges in schools. Those involved in leadership training and principal preparation would also find this a useful text since it includes vignettes and reflection questions that are sure to generate robust discussion and facilitate the deconstruction of key leadership concepts." — Abel Adekola, Wilkes University "The stories of the leaders throughout this book demonstrate that leadership is a journey. While there is no predetermined timeline, the pace of progress can be influenced by one’s participation in reflective practice, engagement in a community of practice and the availability of ongoing professional development. By providing them with the insight and information needed to understand better the vital role leaders play in fostering school success, The Early Years of Leadership: The Journey Begins can assist administrators with the necessary knowledge and guidance to create leaders of learning that can respond to the increasing societal challenges our schools face." — Camille Rutherford, Brock University

This book explores how to be fully cross-cultural and intercultural with research and theory building in educational leadership. It adopts an integrated approach to the examination of common issues across and between cultures and contexts. Each chapter examines an issue or a set of issues that builds on evidence from a minimum of three countries across at least two continents. The data collection methods are consistent for all countries and therefore allow meaningful conclusions to be drawn across the field. All six continents are represented in the book, including both developing and developed countries, to ensure an open dialogue and an innovative approach to lay the foundations for future research.

Motor games are incredibly useful in enhancing education and developing critical skills; they can entertain, produce pleasant emotions, improve moods, and increase the level of relationships. Motor games allow social, emotional, and cognitive development as well as the acquisition of motor skills such as knowledge and mastery of body, postural control and adjustment, and improvement of coordination. However, it is essential to select the appropriate game for each context to achieve the desired learning in all students. Further research on the opportunities, challenges, and future directions of motor games in education is necessary to successfully implement them. The Handbook of Research on Using Motor Games in Teaching and Learning Strategy presents significant advances in motor game education and collects research evidence that uncovers the certainties and testifies to the educational power of motor games in various situations and specific contexts that promote the learning of participants. Covering topics such as emotional physical education and educational mediation, this major reference work is ideal for researchers, academicians, educators, practitioners, and students.

Many countries face a crisis in recruitment to the most senior positions in schools at a time when arguments rage about the best way to develop our school leaders. Focusing on leadership development in ten diverse cultural contexts, this book brings together some of the most senior commentators in the field of educational leadership development to provide a global perspective on leadership development programmes and practices. The rise of leadership development programmes has presented opportunities for some and challenges for others. These challenges are both practical and conceptual and relate to a series of questions that are unpacked in the book including: What is the appropriate balance between the academic and the practical in leadership programmes? Should provision be located in higher education institutions, in other government sponsored organizations or commissioned from the private sector? Are models of leadership studies derived from the business and industry relevant to schools? How can research into impact inform leadership development policy and strategy? Should programmes be integrated into higher degree provision or should new and innovative forms of accreditation be developed? This book should be fascinating reading for all those engaged in educational research and teaching, and working, in educational leadership.

Women Leading Education across the Continents is the first collection of research about and stories of women in basic and higher education leadership from every region of the globe. The chapters are authored by scholars representing every continent, including a keynote from the first all female team to traverse Antarctica. The book captures not only statistical data about the position of women in basic and higher education in over 17 countries, but relates compelling insights and stories about the challenges that women face in leadership, the limited access to education by young women, and some strategies for success that have fanned a flame to light the way for both women and men to follow toward equity and social justice.