Leadership Coaching and Mentorship

Abstract

Not all Black women in K-12 educational leadership have the same opportunities and experiences. Importantly, context matters. Black women's ethnic values and racialized experiences can impact how they view themselves as leaders, how they socialize and adapt to their roles, and how they process their experiences. Nonetheless, thoughtful coaching and mentorship can help them feel satisfied, fulfilled, and accomplished in both their professional and personal lives. This chapter focuses on the significance of coaching and mentorship as avenues of support for a Black Garifuna woman in K-12 educational leadership at a West Texas University. Deliberate coaching and mentorship matter. They facilitate socialization, psychological adjustment, and learning, and they also prepare her for the execution of new roles and responsibilities. Notably, self-will and determination are also important for leadership development. These two traits allow the Black Garifuna woman to experience autonomy and a sense of ownership over her work.