Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ed.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Degree Granting Department
Language, Literacy, ED.D., Exceptional Education, and Physical Education
Major Professor
Veselina Lambrev, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Sarah Kiefer, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Steve Permuth, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Charles Vanover, Ph.D.
Keywords
Fear of Failure, Impostor Phenomenon, Impostorism, Inadequacy, Self-Doubt
Abstract
This qualitative narrative inquiry explores the experiences of school-based administrators in K-12 public school settings within the state of Florida who navigate the challenges of Impostor Phenomenon while concurrently pursuing a doctoral degree. The research draws on the personal stories of four participants—three women and one man—who are currently or previously employed as principals or assistant principals. The study focused on how participants manage the psychological tensions coming from their experiences with Impostor Phenomenon or the persistent self-doubt and the fear of being exposed as a fraud. While most Impostor Phenomenon research has concentrated on fields like business, medicine, and higher education, there is limited exploration of its impact on K-12 school-based leaders, especially those pursuing doctoral degrees. This study fills this gap in existing research by highlighting how IP manifests in K-12 educational leadership, offering practical recommendations for leaders in education to recognize and manage impostor feelings. The study aims to empower school-based leaders who experience Impostor Phenomenon to acknowledge their worth, fostering resilience and self-acceptance in their academic and professional journeys.
Scholar Commons Citation
Apollon-Simon, Rose, "Self-Doubt: Impostor Phenomenon and the Doctoral Seeking School-Based Leader" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10592
