Date of Award
10-18-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
Program
Educational Leadership
Capstone Instructor
Dr. Brian Boothe
Second Reader
Dr. Theresa Starkman (Marty)
Keywords
Climate, Culture, Quality Teacher, Student Motivation, Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership, Autocratic Leadership, Democratic Leadership
Abstract
Abstract
This literature review studied the impact of transactional leadership, transformational leadership, democratic leadership, and autocratic leadership had on the climate and culture of schools. Specifically focused on the influence each leadership approach had on three components, teacher job satisfaction, teacher job performance, and student motivation. Culture and climate have leveraged retaining and recruiting quality teachers that can best educate students for the betterment of society. Research consisted of a collection made up of quantitative studies with two qualitative studies, taking place around the world in different countries, cultures, and religions. Results found transformational and democratic had the largest positive impact on climate and culture. The key insights from this research may help school leaders develop a leadership model that is authentic to them and is built on the attributes of the leadership styles that produced the best measured results of the three components. Suggested future studies included extending to leadership impact on extra curricular activities, more qualitative research, and matching the big five personality traits to a leadership style best suited toward each in order to hire the best teacher to fit the climate and culture of the school.