2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 4
Available Online: 22 February 2026
Author/s:
Tomas, Violeta A.*
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines (violeta.tomas@deped.gov.ph)
Vadil, Carlo F.
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines (drvadil888@yahoo.com)
Agustin, Arnel A.
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines
Abstract:
This study investigated the existing personal excellence of school administrators and its determining role on strategic thinking and innovation skills, as perceived by 104 public elementary school teachers in Bambang I District during the 2025–2026 school year. Employing a quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design, data were collected through valid and reliable instruments and analyzed using mean scores and Spearman Rank Correlation at a 0.05 level of significance. The study examined personal excellence in terms of managing personal effectiveness, acting on challenges and possibilities, and pursuing continuous professional development, and assessed strategic thinking and innovation skills in terms of charting the school’s strategic direction, making informed decisions, and leading change and innovation. Findings revealed that school administrators demonstrated a very good level of personal excellence (grand mean = 4.38), with continuous professional development ranking highest, while acting on challenges and possibilities was the lowest. Strategic thinking and innovation skills were rated excellent (grand mean = 4.50), with leading change and innovation scoring highest and charting strategic direction lowest. The relationship between personal excellence and strategic thinking and innovation skills was negligible (r = 0.045, p = 0.648), indicating that personal excellence does not significantly predict strategic and innovative leadership competencies. Based on these findings, a targeted training program was developed to enhance emotional intelligence, sound judgment, ASEAN communication, stakeholder engagement, data-driven planning, and staff empowerment. The study concludes that while administrators exhibit strong leadership and strategic capabilities, personal excellence and strategic-innovation competencies may develop independently. Recommendations include institutionalizing professional development programs, providing opportunities for advanced leadership training, and implementing the proposed training program to strengthen leadership effectiveness and school management.
Keywords: personal excellence, strategic thinking and innovation skills, educational administration
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26070
Cite this article:
Tomas, V. A., Vadil, C. F., & Agustin, A. A. (2026). Determining role of personal excellence on the strategic thinking and innovation skills of school administrators in Bambang I district. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(4), 77-88. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26070
* Corresponding Author