Journal of K-12 Educational Research 21 Figure 1 Common Themes for Supportive Leadership Behaviors The first theme was interpersonal, which were supportive behaviors that were associated with relationships with the School leaders, coworkers, and with others within the School community. The second theme was professional. These behaviors focused on the professional aspects of teaching at the School and types of feedback that the teachers said they needed. The final theme was spiritual. The data for this theme related to the spiritual beliefs of the teacher and to Biblical integration. Even though the themes were the same for each generation, there was a different perception of what the supportive behaviors were within each theme. Research Question 1 (RQ1) What do teachers in private Christian schools from the Baby Boomer generation perceive as supportive leadership behaviors? Based on the Interpersonal theme responses of the teachers from the Baby Boomer generation, the teachers felt supported when they were allowed to collaborate, work as a team, and receive words of encouragement and affirmation. They felt professionally supported when they received assistance with parent communication, had a visible leader, their monetary compensation was improved, and they were able to see how they were making a difference at their school. Spiritually, they felt supported when they were allowed to share their faith with their students, inspired to live out their Christian walk, and were encouraged to live out the school’s mission and vision. Research Question 2 (RQ2) What do teachers in private Christian schools from Generation X perceive as supportive leadership behaviors? When examining the responses related to the Interpersonal theme from Generation X, the teachers felt supported when their feedback was blunt and direct because they wanted to know exactly how to do their jobs well. They also felt supported when they were allowed to find community in school friendships and when they received words of encouragement and affirmation from their leader. They felt professionally supported when they were given assistance with technology, their input was valued, improved pay was worked towards, and they were trusted with independence and autonomy in their jobs. Spiritually, like the Baby Boomer generation, they felt supported when they were allowed to share their faith with their students, inspired to live out their Christian walk, and were encouraged to live out the school’s mission and vision. Research Question 3 (RQ3) What do teachers in private Christian schools from the Millennial generation perceive as supportive leadership behaviors? The responses related to the Interpersonal theme for the Millennial generation indicated that these teachers felt supported when they were allowed to collaborate, have relationships with others at the school, and receive words of encouragement and affirmation. They felt professionally supported when they had a competent leader, were provided with basic supplies, were given better pay, and received specific feedback on how to improve their teaching craft. Spiritually, like the other two generations, they wanted to be encouraged to share their faith, motivated to live out their Christian walk, and inspired to live out the school’s mission and vision. The Same Supportive Leadership Behaviors but for Different Reasons There were some supportive leadership behaviors that seemed to be the same for every generation; however, each generation craved that kind of support for different reasons. For school leaders to provide support effectively, they must understand why the teachers need it. One of these leadership behaviors was the need for words of encouragement and feedback. For Baby Boomers, this behavior was important to them since they grew up during a time when parents made child rearing a priority and Figure 1 Common Themes for Supp rtive Leadership Behav ors The first theme was interpersonal, which were supportive behaviors that were associated with relationships with the School leaders, coworkers, and with others within the School community. The second theme was professional. These behaviors focused on the professional aspects of teaching at the School and types of feedback that the teachers said they needed. The final theme was spiritual. The data for this theme related to the spiritual beliefs of the teacher and to Biblical integration. Even though the themes were the same for each generation, there was a different perception of what the supportive behaviors were wit in each theme. Research Question 1 (RQ1) What do teachers in private Christian schools from the Baby Boomer generation perceive as supportive leadership behaviors? Based on the Interpersonal theme responses of the teachers from the Baby Boomer generation, the teac er felt supp rted when they were all wed to collaborate, work as a team, and receive words of encouragement and affirmation. They felt professionally supported when they received assistance with parent communication, had a visible leader, their monetary compensation was improved, and they were able to see how they were making a differenc at
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