Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

12-1-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Curriculum & Instruction

First Advisor

Karin Lewis

Second Advisor

Zulema Williams

Third Advisor

Federico Guerra

Abstract

This dissertation explored the role of distributed leadership within Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) at the elementary level, using Beckhard’s (1972) GRPI framework— Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal Relationships—as a lens. Conducted as a qualitative case study at Rio Vista Elementary in Lone Star Independent School District, the research examined how ILTs functioned in the context of post-pandemic education, focusing on collaboration between administrators and teacher leaders. Guided by Spillane’s (2006) distributed leadership theory, the study addressed three questions: the lived experiences of ILT members, shifts in teacher leadership and organizational conditions, and perceived impacts on student outcomes. Findings showed that ILT membership reshaped professional identity, clarified roles, strengthened collaboration, and expanded instructional capacity. Participants linked ILT work to improved campus accountability ratings and student achievement. The study underscored the importance of structured processes, role clarity, and data-driven decision making as essential components of sustainable leadership. These results contribute to distributed leadership scholarship while offering practical insights for strengthening ILTs to support school improvement.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Martha Reyna Perez. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3290563653

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