Let the Symbols Speak: A Story of Leadership

Abstract This article purposed to explore how superintendents instill democracy and democratic values in American public schools. This qualitative case study employed autoethnography as a research methodology to better understand in what ways the efficacy and praxis of the superintendents of independent public schools as founding members of the Public Education Visioning Institute of Texas had been influenced by their participation. Study findings resulted in an iconic unity of values, vision, and passion for change among the superintendents to improve not only their schools, but also all public schools. The implications of the study confirmed the need for further development of the Visioning Institute as a moral imperative to sustain democracy and democratic schools. Key words: democracy, Visioning Institute, leadership, autoethnography