Title
A Study of Principal and School Counselor Descriptions About Their Professional Rapport in American, Private K–12 Schools in Kuwait: A Multiple Case Study
Date of Award
8-1-2019
Document Type
Restricted Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Jillian Skelton, Ed.D.
Second Advisor
Derrick Tennial, Ed.D.
Third Advisor
Dion Jones, Ed.D.
Abstract
This qualitative, descriptive multiple case study examined principal and school counselor descriptions about characteristics that contribute to effective and ineffective professional relationships between school counselors and principals in American, private K–12 schools in Kuwait. Eight participants (four principal–counselor dyads) made up the sample. Participants were purposefully selected based on criteria: they were fluent in English, had worked with their principal/counselor for at least one year, and were currently employed as a principal/counselor in Kuwait. Thematic analysis was used to examine data from semistructured open-ended interviews, open-ended questionnaires, and observational field notes. The results revealed seven themes. The principals and school counselors articulated a strong need for: (a) collective insight, (b) professional leadership, (c) social competence, (d) intentional communication, and (e) mutual respect to have effective professional relationships, and suggested that having a (f) lack of adequate training/professional development, and (g) organizational constraints led to ineffective professional principal–counselor relationships. The results of this study are important for principals, school counselors, and stakeholders associated with American, private K–12 schools in Kuwait. The findings can be used for reflection and discussion, to develop practices, and to advance schoolwide improvements. The researcher made recommendations for future research to examine principal–counselor relationship development over time, the quality of the principal–counselor relationships, as well as effective strategies that principals and school counselors can use to sustain development.