Habits of culturally responsive school leaders: lessons and takeaways for future leaders from award-winning principals

This case study overlays the behaviors of award-winning principals through a lens of culturally responsive school leadership (CRSL) to identify exemplary illustrations and gaps in theoretical alignment. Thirty NASSP Principal of the Year awardees participated in semi-structured interviews with questions around challenges, personal development, professional strategies, and systemic inequities. Many principals described adopting the critical tenets of this framework, including ongoing self-reflection, cultural responsiveness, inclusive practices, and stakeholder engagement. Others, however, struggled to embody cultural responsibility in their day-to-day practice. Across the interviews, principals presented a variety of CRSL approaches to creating welcoming environments, empowering community members, critically self-reflecting, and fostering culturally responsive pedagogy. Many participants emphasized the importance of fostering belonging, building community, maintaining a learner's mindset, showcasing inclusive pedagogical skills, and staying emotionally reflective.