Autoethnography, Ethics, and a Principal’s Epiphanic Search for Self

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Group Affiliation: 
Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research
Angelo State University
James F. Lane, Ed.D.
Presentation External Link(s): 
Doing Autoethnography 2015
Presentation Date: 
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Event or Conference: 
Doing Autoethnography Conference
Presentation Type: 
Paper Presentation
Boyer's Domain: 
Discovery
Auto ethnography
ethical frameworks
Ethical Dilemmas
Principals
Presentation Attachment(s): 
Download Doing AE Presentation.pptx (126.03 KB)
Presentation Location: 
United States
Abstract: 
In this autoethnographic discussion I will probe an evocative ethical dilemma I experienced as a novice middle school principal. I will frame the events through the multidimensional ethical frameworks of care, critique and justice described by Starratt (1994), which has provided a useful framework for my professional reflections and led to important personal and professional epiphanies. I will describe and capture the tensions within the dilemma as I analyzed the issues packed within. Through the autoethnographic application of this framework I experienced several epiphanies that made clear to me that my moral purpose as a middle school principal was to approach school leadership with a combination of compassion and justice in working for the greater good of those students who are most oppressed.