Types of difficulties in the induction stage: retrospective voices of women principals.

A study explored the first years of women school principals in Israel. Data were obtained from the life stories of 25 elementary school women principals who had held managerial positions for 8–14 years. The results indicated that in the first years of their appointment, these women had difficulties in employing their authority and control over the staff; that although they experienced the ordinary difficulties encountered by newcomers, they gained a lot of support from staff, parents, and other stakeholders; and that they were preoccupied with many conflicts and controversies with staff and parents who resisted their educational philosophy and school policy. Practical suggestions for planning the first years of principalship and for establishing support systems for female principals are provided.