• About
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   Institutional Repository Home
    • Peabody College
    • Peabody College Leadership and Learning in Organizations
    • Leadership and Learning in Organizations Capstone Projects
    • View Item
    •   Institutional Repository Home
    • Peabody College
    • Peabody College Leadership and Learning in Organizations
    • Leadership and Learning in Organizations Capstone Projects
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of Institutional RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Governing in Crisis: Sensemaking and Sensegiving in Virginia School Districts During COVID-19

    Sawyers, Myra
    : http://hdl.handle.net/1803/16335
    : 2020-12

    Abstract

    COVID-19 caused the entire world to shut down. School systems especially were significantly impacted. On March 23rd, the governor of Virginia ordered schools to close for the rest of the year. Suddenly, school leaders in the entire state had to quickly adjust their decision-making process and rethink major aspects of their work and how schools should function. Existing processes and structures were not sufficient and caused many to change how they understood and adapted. The sensemaking and sensegiving taking place during the initial weeks of COVID-19, when major decisions were being made, is important to understand because school districts, while trying to manage the magnitude of the situation, were also managing the pressures to return to normal. COVID-19 is unlike any other crisis, and during the initial weeks as the enormity of the situation was unfolding, it challenged district leaders to reshape their thinking and priorities. The data found that there are multiple cognitive shifts occurring in school districts in Virginia. The data from this research shows that concerns about education equity and access to information due to limitations to technology and the nutritional needs of families as well as mental health of students and families are being prioritized during district leader’s sensemaking and guiding their actions. These sensemaking shifts have impacted the decision-making processes away from what the main function of school has been. Developing an initiative that is invested in change will guide district leaders as they develop their sensemaking and sensegiving in the future and create the new normal that many district leaders are ready for.
    Show full item record

    Files in this item

    Icon
    Name:
    SawyersMyra2020.pdf
    Size:
    1.374Mb
    Format:
    PDF
    View/Open

    This item appears in the following collection(s):

    • Leadership and Learning in Organizations Capstone Projects

    Connect with Vanderbilt Libraries

    Your Vanderbilt

    • Alumni
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • International Students
    • Media
    • Parents & Family
    • Prospective Students
    • Researchers
    • Sports Fans
    • Visitors & Neighbors

    Support the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries

    Support the Library...Give Now

    Gifts to the Libraries support the learning and research needs of the entire Vanderbilt community. Learn more about giving to the Libraries.

    Become a Friend of the Libraries

    Quick Links

    • Hours
    • About
    • Employment
    • Staff Directory
    • Accessibility Services
    • Contact
    • Vanderbilt Home
    • Privacy Policy