To Women Educators: Lead!

There’s no doubt that there is a glass ceiling for women in most, if not all professional careers, but for women trying to break into educational leadership, that ceiling is more like concrete. Per the Teaching Channel, “...while 75% of the educational field is composed of women, only 30% of educational leadership roles are held by women.” The Huffington Post says, “Put simply, women are doing the work while men are making the decisions.” While that can be discouraging and frustrating, the good news is that change is happening, but slowly.

Implicit biases

Whether we like it or not, stereotypes are a driving factor in many of the decisions we make every day. The American Association of University of Women discusses the “stereotype threat” that is imposed on women, who face an additional “burden of worry” in math-related test-taking environments, simply because of the idea that women are not good at math. When trying to break into a male-dominated career, self-doubt and nerves can be a deterrent for many women. Women have made progress in STEM-related fields, another male-dominated career path, but in terms of education, it still feels like a slow-moving train. 

Breaking the cycle

More girls are becoming interested in male-dominated careers, but women today need to keep breaking the ceiling so girls can start out much earlier in leadership positions. Young girls need trailblazers to look up to, and the more women who apply for leadership positions sooner in their career, the earlier this generation will become successful. And there’s good news: as the Huffington Post says, “Education is the most promising frontier for change because the next generation of jobseekers and eventual employers must first spend 13 years in the primary and secondary school environment.” The more children see their female teachers or professors in positions of power, the more they will be encouraged to enter that field and know they can be successful.

It takes time to become comfortable with yourself and push yourself to get what you want. To start, recognize your achievements and wear them proudly. Don’t wait until it’s too late in your career to make the jump into a role you have worked years proving you can do. When a higher position opens up that you know you have a shot at, tell yourself this: I deserve this. When you start to doubt yourself, remember what you deserve. Remember your accomplishments and be a leader so that the next generation of girls can be too. 

By MNT2LEAD featured writer Jacqueline Bailey

Contact Jacqueline at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-b-80972b98/