“Grace Space of Understanding”: The Third Space in Principal Leadership During the Covid Pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 resulted in political backlash, public dissatisfaction, and the need for principals to create spaces to foster communication, implement change, monitor dissatisfaction, and foster wellness. Using the concept of the third space, we explore the dialogic and linguistic spaces K-12 leaders created while navigating this crisis. Employing a phenomenological approach, we interviewed 17 principals from 2021–22 who found themselves creating third spaces for collaboration around issues of academics, mental-health, political backlash, and community distrust. Leaders experienced growth, embraced vulnerability, and emerged stronger. Implications illustrate that experiential learning in third spaces could enhance preparation programs as related to future crisis management.