UNMASKING VANDALISM: A CASE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADERSHIP COMPLEXITIES

Résumé

Waterfront Elementary School is located in a very affluent neighbourhood in a large urban multicultural school district. The school has some diversity in terms of its student population, but the majority of the students are White and come from upper middle-class families. Ms. Courtney Williams, the principal of the school was transferred to Waterfront Elementary School five years ago due to her expertise in the area of assessment and evaluation. Since her arrival, she has been applauded by the school community and school district for her knowledge and dedication to students’ academic success. This case highlights the tensions, challenges, and struggles that she faces when she is confronted by upset and angry parents with regard to a vandalism incident in her school that could have far-reaching implications for her, her school, the district, and the wider community.