The Purpose of Educational Leadership

Mary E. Streshly is a Burlingame, California-based educator and education executive with a doctorate degree in educational leadership and a background in academic administration. In addition to serving as a senior advisor for Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy, Mary Streshly works part-time at San Francisco State University as a lecturer on educational leadership.

Educational leadership represents a collaborative process that leverages the combined efforts and talents of teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders in education to improve the education system and the quality of education. By uniting stakeholders toward this endeavor, educational leadership aims to facilitate positive academic outcomes.

Educational leaders, therefore, are foundational in ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. Also engaged in harnessing the individual talents of students and faculty, they function as guides for various aspects of schooling and school administration. They are present at all educational levels, occupying roles such as school principal, superintendent, department chair, and academic dean. The nature of their contributions toward academic success vary accordingly, ranging from the creation of new school programs to the development of initiatives for addressing gaps between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

In addition to collaboration within the school itself, educational leadership serves to establish involvement among parents, policymakers, and the public. These stakeholders’ ability to influence education make their cooperation essential to academic success. For example, community support can help pass necessary policy changes, and the formation of impactful policies relies on policymakers who understanding of the educational system’s needs and challenges.