The emergence of social justice leaders: identity formation of new principals

The aim of this article is to propose a research-informed analytical framework for the process through which new leaders undergo when they construct an identity of leadership for social justice (SJ). The framework includes two major elements: (1) the emergence of awareness to SJ and the need to lead schools more ethically. (2) The factors affecting the formation of leadership identity for SJ in early career. New educational leaders ought to play an active role in forming the central elements in their emergent leadership identity and in modifying their previous professional identity as teachers. They may become not only advocates of SJ, but also leaders who led other to do it.