PERSONAL BELIEFS OF ASSISTANT SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS (ASDS) ON PRACTICES OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP FUNCTIONS: A CASE STUDY

This study delved on the practices of exemplary leadership of selected assistant schools division superintendents of Region IV-A Calabarzon. Specific ASDS leadership skills in terms of vision building, ethical considerations, teaching and learning, power utilization, and dealing with risks and challenges were determined. Also, educational leaders’ practice of the five exemplary leadership functions were identified as to five particular categories such as modelling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act, and encouraging the heart. To address the questions of the study, a qualitative exploratory case study was undertaken. In actualizing such method, semi-structured interview and field noting via non-participant observation were conducted. Thus, triangulation was employed through interviewing the ASDS respondents and confirming their answers with the subordinates. The third phase is field work through office/workplace visit to see the actual picture of the respondents’ workflow and how they carry out their leadership functions. The exemplary leadership practices of the ASDS reveal their important roles in supporting and promoting development and opening doors in relation to their subordinates’ career change and mobility. It likewise gives leeway in identifying number of activities in which they might like their staff to engage in an effort to design the latter’s career journeys. However, it is still recommended that since respondents are all females, the study may be replicated using male educational ASDS to bring out their dynamics in executing leadership functions. Future studies should be conducted in other localities, school divisions, and regions to further validate the result of this study.