LIVED EXPERIENCES OF ADMINISTRATORS IN NAVIGATING CRISIS MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES AND LESSONS LEARNED

Umaira M. Pedtucasan

Abstract


This study explored the lived experiences of school administrators in the Philippines as they navigated crises within their educational institutions, focusing on the challenges they faced, strategies they employed, and lessons they learned. Using a phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were conducted to capture the emotional, ethical, and strategic dimensions of administrators’ decision-making during unexpected, high-pressure events. Thematic analysis revealed that administrators’ experiences were characterized by Immersive Responsibility and Emotional Engagement, managing both operational and emotional aspects of crises, and Heightened Situational Awareness and Decision Pressure, reflecting their capacity for rapid, high-stakes decision-making. Key challenges identified included communication barriers, stakeholder conflicts, and resource constraints, while effective strategies involved proactive planning, protocol development, and adaptive, inclusive crisis response. Administrators’ reflections underscored the importance of critical self-reflection, situational learning, and integration of experiences into institutional knowledge. The study concluded that e

Keywords


crisis management, school administrators, lived experiences, educational leadership, organizational resilience, situational awareness, adaptive strategies

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.65010/seairj.v7i3.289

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