Reflections on Rurally Responsive School Leadership in Appalachian Virginia: A Co-constructed Autoethnography

Charles L. Lowery; Ashley Cannon; Jessica Muniz; Leanna Rippey

doi:10.66815/ajqr/18702

Charles L. Lowery ¹ ^* , Ashley Cannon ², Jessica Muniz ³, Leanna Rippey ⁴

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 10, Issue 3, pp. 309-329

https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18702

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Abstract

This study explores the intersections of identity, place, and leadership through the co-constructed autoethnographies of three female doctoral candidates and one male doctoral professor in educational leadership from rural Appalachia. Through reflective writing of the self and writing of culture, we examine the socio-cultural influences shaping our leadership identities, decision-making processes, and responses to socio-political challenges in our rural school communities. We engage in our reflections by integrating personal narratives with cultural, gendered, and place-based dynamics, and then turn a reflective gaze on ourselves to illuminate the significance of what we collectively have come to consider rurally responsive school leadership. Our narratives and analyses emphasize the importance of rurally responsive practices that address the complexities of gender, geography, and community as rural educational leaders in Appalachian Virginia. Ultimately, our self-study contributes to the broader discourse on educational leadership in rural educational contexts and, as we hope, offers insights and implications for responding equitably, inclusively, and meaningfully as school leaders in rural schools.

Keywords: co-constructed autoethnography, decision making, educational leadership, place, rurally responsive leadership

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Citation

Lowery, C. L., Cannon, A., Muniz, J., & Rippey, L. (2026). Reflections on Rurally Responsive School Leadership in Appalachian Virginia: A Co-constructed Autoethnography. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(3), 309-329. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18702

Lowery, C. L., Cannon, A., Muniz, J., and Rippey, L. (2026). Reflections on Rurally Responsive School Leadership in Appalachian Virginia: A Co-constructed Autoethnography. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(3), pp. 309-329. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18702

Lowery CL, Cannon A, Muniz J, Rippey L. Reflections on Rurally Responsive School Leadership in Appalachian Virginia: A Co-constructed Autoethnography. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(3), 309-329. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18702

Lowery, Charles L., Ashley Cannon, Jessica Muniz, and Leanna Rippey. "Reflections on Rurally Responsive School Leadership in Appalachian Virginia: A Co-constructed Autoethnography". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2026 10 no. 3 (2026): 309-329. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18702

Lowery, Charles L. et al. "Reflections on Rurally Responsive School Leadership in Appalachian Virginia: A Co-constructed Autoethnography". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 10, no. 3, 2026, pp. 309-329. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18702

Lowery CL, Cannon A, Muniz J, Rippey L. Reflections on Rurally Responsive School Leadership in Appalachian Virginia: A Co-constructed Autoethnography. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(3):309-29. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18702