Chapter 1: Significance of Bridge Building in Schools: Forwarding the Field of Educational Leadership

School leadership is at the center of unprecedented attention. School leaders are often perceived as pivotal players in making systemic changes in the pursuit of equity (Boske, 2011a; Boske & McEnery, 2010; Marshall & Oliva, 2010; Tooms & Boske, 2010). Such efforts call upon school leaders to be held accountable to local school communities to mobilize and sustain the movement for transformative bridge building. This type of work questions what type of a bridging tier has developed in the field of educational leadership that promotes, builds, and sustains transformative change for those who live on the margins. These leaders work diligently to uphold democratic practices, honoring the rights of those they serve, and advocating for those who have been silenced.