Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership: A Guide for Educators, Allies, and Advocates

Featuring the experiences of over 70 successful female leaders in international, public, and private schools around the world, Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership brings together interconnected stories about the realities of being a woman in K–12 school leadership today. Women face distinct and unique challenges in pursuing a leadership pathway in schools; unfortunately, most of the obstacles facing women are hidden and only become visible when encountered on the journey to leadership. This book uncovers these invisible obstacles and shares the personal journeys of real women who have overcome them. Chapters feature powerful stories woven together to provide takeaway strategies and address common themes for women in leadership, including unconscious bias and daily microaggressions; physical, linguistic, and cultural expectations of leaders; perception (or reality) of lack of opportunities for women; impostor syndrome and double standards; and availability of mentorship and guidance. This impactful book provides actionable steps for both aspiring leaders and established leaders ready to support growing leaders in their school communities.

Kim Cofino is Founder and CEO of Eduro Learning and host of the #coachbetter podcast. After decades of experience at international schools in Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan, she now helps schools develop sustainable and successful instructional coaching programs. Kim is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Christina Botbyl is an experienced teaching and learning leader in international education. She is a facilitator with the National School Reform Faculty leading Critical Friends Group coaches training and is currently the Chief Academic Director at an international school.