ABSTRACT
This chapter describes practices of a principal preparation program designed from a social justice perspective, which created a pedagogical awakening in both the program and the aspiring principals. Leadership in Border Rural Areas (LIBRA) began as collaborative project between Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) and New Mexico State University (NMSU). The intent of the field experiences was to provide various perspectives for Project LIBRA participants to analyze and interpret their observations and readings of the research. All professional development and course content focused on issues of race, ethnicity, gender, class, language, poverty, immigration, and healthcare. The recognition of the social forces in one’s life is essential in beginning the process of self-discovery, social consciousness, and acceptance of others. Problem-based learning activities focused on problems of practice and required aspiring principals to problem solve and reflect with their mentoring principal–assistant principal as well as their cohort peers.
