About Sharon D. Kruse

My journey began as an elementary and middle school teacher, a role I held for eleven years. Motivated to better understand organizational reform and change, I earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Minnesota in 1995. For over three decades since, I have been a professor of educational leadership. In my academic career, I have taught courses, mentored graduate students, and served as a department chair and associate dean. I have also provided in-service and professional development for teachers and school leaders across the United States and in Israel, Spain, and the UK, drawing from my research on school leaders, school culture, and decision-making processes within schools. 

After years of research, I became intrigued by the difference between well-meaning school leaders who performed adequately and those who excelled. Exceptional leaders intentionally made choices and decisions that aligned with their values, beliefs, self-understanding, and ability to engage with and learn from others. They were, in essence, mindful leaders.

This realization inspired me to write my latest book, “Mindful Educational Leadership: Contemplative, Cognitive, and Organizational Systems and Practices,” and solidified my belief in the significant benefits of leading and living mindfully.

To further my understanding of mindfulness, I have taken courses at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Vipassana Fellowship, and Sangha Live. My meditation teacher and resilience practitioner training certifications are from the School for Positive Transformation. I hold an organizational mindfulness certification from the Institute for Organizational Science and Mindfulness, where I am a member.