# Ethical Leadership in Polarized Times: A Brief-Cases Suite ![brief-case image](/sites/g/files/omnuum3616/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-08/Values%20Driven%20Leadership%20Stock%20Photo%20Selection%20%28A2%20%28Landscape%29%29_4.png?itok=ZZZrmk9j) ## Welcome to “Ethical Leadership in Polarized Times: A Brief-Cases Suite” **What is a Normative "Brief-Case"?** This collection of normative “brief-cases,” each about one page long, helps educational leaders discuss ethical challenges wrought by social and political polarization. Each case is designed to encourage dialogue across differences on living out educational values in polarized times. --- **What Can I Expect in This Suite?** In this suite, you’ll find four brief-cases about ethical dilemmas in public K-12 districts in the United States. While the cases are fictional, they draw on real challenges that districts are facing across the country. Alongside the cases you’ll find facilitation guides with protocols, discussion questions, and facilitation tips, as well as graphic organizers you can use with discussion groups. --- In addition to these resources, we encourage discussion leaders to peruse our video playlist "[Values-Driven Leadership](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQPfG5Q3OY1U3WNLQx2ub_T-sd2UqHSj8)" for additional materials to spark conversation. Read on for a brief description of each brief-case, along with links to the cases and facilitation materials. If you want to download a PDF with all the cases in this suite and accompanying facilitation guides, click on the button below. If you want to access the individual brief-cases, click through the "Explore the Leadership Brief-Cases" Section. ## Explore the Leadership Brief-Cases This suite contains four brief-cases with accompanying facilitation materials that explore ethical dilemmas related to educational leadership in polarized times. Click on each case below to learn more and download the PDF of the case and facilitation materials. ### By the Book expand\_more A school district faces tumult when the high school English department chair suggests making J.D. Vance’s memoir *Hillbilly Elegy* required summer reading as a way to bring greater ideological diversity into the curriculum. [ Download "By the Book" (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/bookbrief-case10292025) [ Download Facilitation Guide for "By the Book" (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/bookfacilitation-guide10292025) ### Writing on the Wall expand\_more When a local mural celebrating Black excellence comes under attack from a politician running for state office, a school district fields complaints, suggestions, and even threats of violence as they decide whether and how to respond. [ Download "Writing on the Wall" (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/writing-wallbrief-case10292025) [ Download Facilitation Guide for "Writing on the Wall" (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/writing-wallfacilitation-guide10292025) ### On the Safe Side expand\_more A school district with a large immigrant population faces widespread community fear about ICE raids as the superintendent’s team tries to determine whether a public statement supporting immigrant families is the right move for their community. [ Download "On the Safe Side" (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/safe-sidebrief-case10292025) [ Download Facilitation Guide for "On the Safe Side" (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/safe-sidefacilitation-guide10292025) ### Putting Up a Fight? expand\_more Facing community disagreement over the appropriateness of “All Are Welcome” signs in middle school classrooms, a district leadership team must decide how to respond to the board’s desire for a policy that keeps “political material” off classroom walls. [ Download "Putting up a Fight?" (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/putting-fightbrief-case10292025) [ Download Facilitation Guide for "Putting Up a Fight?"(PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/putting-fightfacilitation-guide10292025) [ Full Leadership Brief-cases Suite (PDF) arrow\_circle\_right ](/resource/ethical-leadership-polarized-timesfacilitation-guide10292025) ## Hear from the Experts Why are these issues real dilemmas? Watch short video commentaries to explore the complexities, challenges, and values at stake in these brief-cases. As you watch each video, consider the following questions: - *What resonates with you in this video?* - *What questions does this video raise for you?* - *How does the video commentaries impact your understanding of the dilemmas in the case?* ## On Navigating Fraught Times Richard Weissbourd, Senior Lecturer and Faculty Director at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Making Caring Common, answers the question: How can leaders help their teachers navigate politically-fraught times? ## On Core Values Caitlin Sullivan, CEO and Co-Founder of Leading Now, answers the question: How can leaders stay grounded in their values while working with the community? ## On Understanding the Assignment Frank Barnes, Faculty Director and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education, answers the question: How can leaders navigate hard moments when values are in conflict? ## Want to Learn More? [### Full Normative Case Study Library ](https://www.justiceinschools.org/case-overview)Check out more normative case studies related to dilemmas in education. ![collection of educational ethical dilemma cases](/sites/g/files/omnuum3616/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/Legacies%20and%20Lessons%20image%20editing.png?itok=-vcHcUeo) [### Values-Driven Leadership Learning Pathway ](https://www.justiceinschools.org/values-driven-leadership-learning-pathway)Explore this collection of five cases on educational leadership with accompanying facilitation materials. ![scattered post its across a board](/sites/g/files/omnuum3616/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-08/kier-in-sight-archives-p7iaoHjWDbI-unsplash.jpg?itok=aOqtFDT8) [### EdEthics | Values-Driven Leadership Video Playlist ](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQPfG5Q3OY1U3WNLQx2ub_T-sd2UqHSj8)Watch all the videos in our series of expert commentaries on values-driven leadership. ![Jennifer Cheatham discussing values](/sites/g/files/omnuum3616/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-10/Jennifer%20Cheatham_Titlecard_Clip4.jpg?itok=bF25JBJs)