Content area
Abstract
A mixed methods approach was used. The role of the Catholic elementary school principal as counselor was the subject of the study. A survey was sent to 430 Catholic elementary school principals in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. Questions focused on identification of the personal issues presented by teachers to the principals. Principals’ self-reports of their preparation to address teachers’ concerns and personal issues were examined as well.
Interviews with 20 Catholic elementary school principals who completed the survey were conducted. Themes that emerged from the interviews were examined. The data gathered from the interviews was combined with the data from the surveys to provide an examination of the most common themes of personal issues, to present the difficulty and preparedness of principals as they dealt with various teacher personal issues, to provide principals with resources in counseling teachers, and to make recommendations for university programs in elementary administration.
