An Analysis of the Reflections of Servant Leadership on the School Community in a Rural Area: A Qualitative Research

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the views of village residents, and educators working in a rural area on the servant leadership roles of the school principal and their reflections of these roles on the school community. Case study was used as a qualitative research method. Participants of the study consists of 8 teachers and a vice principal working at Yeniköy Village in Göle country of Ardahan and 7 people living in the village. The results of the study pointed out that the school principal is a serving, generous, fair, and cooperative leader with self vision and mission matching the needs of servant leadership roles. It was also revealed that a school principal in a servant leadership role improves the school environment and social opportunities, increases the participation of the community in school works and earns their appreciation. And those principals also increase the motivation and productivity of teachers, help them to take responsibilities and provide safe environment in the school. Moreover, servant leadership roles also increase the commitment of students to the school as well as making them feel valuable. The expectations from school principals embracing the servant leadership roles are to increase school-family cooperation and make courses for those who are illiterate in the village. The main problems in using these roles can be listed as bureaucratic barriers, harsh climate and natural conditions, lack of infrastructure and resistance to change in school policies.