2: Taking Care of “My Babies”: Humanity as the Core of Critical Servant Leadership

We highlight the practice of one principal whose way of being is anchored in the moral commitment to serve the most vulnerable among us. This chapter is a collaboration between researchers and practitioners, and follows in the tradition of highlighting excellence in working with underserved communities. A team of researchers visited Cook Literacy Model School (CLMS) in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, North Carolina in the spring of 2023 to talk about leadership focused on equity. The findings are empirically grounded in systematic data analysis of an interview with the CLMS principal, Ms. Tribby, and three focus groups with school staff. We identified three key values in Ms. Tribby’s leadership that we illustrate through practices that they motivated: (a) recognizing everyone’s humanity, (b) prioritizing relationships, and (c) emphasizing action. Taken together, these values reflect the moral orientation that guided staff at CLMS as they advanced equity through their everyday work. We conclude the chapter with a set of recommendations for principal supervisors and others who work with sitting leaders or prepare aspiring leaders.