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The Mindful School Leader: Practices to Transform Your Leadership and School
Big results come from small steps.
If you think you don’t have time for mindfulness, think again. This handbook, named a Best Courageous Book of 2014 by The Center for Courage and Renewal, was written with school leaders in mind—your responsibilities, your stress, and your schedule. When you add mindfulness into your day, bit by bit, you’ll become a more effective leader and a more positive force for your staff and students.
With the help of this inspirational yet practical guide, you’ll start fitting pieces of practice into your busy home and work life, whether you are sitting in your office or walking down the hall. Features include
Real-life profiles of mindful school leaders Practice exercises to try right away Guidance so you know if you are "doing it right" Hard-to-find resources, including mindfulness apps Mindful school leaders are better at managing meetings, responding creatively to complex situations, and achieving resilience at work and at home. Take the first steps to transform your life—and your school. "This inspiring book makes a strong case for school leaders to include mindfulness in their personal and professional lives. Based on solid research and enhanced by compelling examples of real people, it shows how school leaders can feel more grounded, connected, clear and focused. Mindfulness makes leaders more effective with relatively little effort, but be advised that the benefits can be contagious, transforming your school from the inside out." Christopher Germer, Clinical Instructor Harvard Medical School
"In The Mindful School Leader, Brown and Olson offer with remarkable clarity and depth a thorough introduction to the practice of meditation, the science behind its benefits, and many firsthand accounts of lives and work situations transformed through this practice. Although this book was written for those in leadership roles in education, it will be inspiring for anyone interested in understanding their own minds and finding more ease in life and work." Joseph Goldstein, Co-Founder Insight Meditation Society
If you think you don’t have time for mindfulness, think again. This handbook, named a Best Courageous Book of 2014 by The Center for Courage and Renewal, was written with school leaders in mind—your responsibilities, your stress, and your schedule. When you add mindfulness into your day, bit by bit, you’ll become a more effective leader and a more positive force for your staff and students.
With the help of this inspirational yet practical guide, you’ll start fitting pieces of practice into your busy home and work life, whether you are sitting in your office or walking down the hall. Features include
Real-life profiles of mindful school leaders Practice exercises to try right away Guidance so you know if you are "doing it right" Hard-to-find resources, including mindfulness apps Mindful school leaders are better at managing meetings, responding creatively to complex situations, and achieving resilience at work and at home. Take the first steps to transform your life—and your school. "This inspiring book makes a strong case for school leaders to include mindfulness in their personal and professional lives. Based on solid research and enhanced by compelling examples of real people, it shows how school leaders can feel more grounded, connected, clear and focused. Mindfulness makes leaders more effective with relatively little effort, but be advised that the benefits can be contagious, transforming your school from the inside out." Christopher Germer, Clinical Instructor Harvard Medical School
"In The Mindful School Leader, Brown and Olson offer with remarkable clarity and depth a thorough introduction to the practice of meditation, the science behind its benefits, and many firsthand accounts of lives and work situations transformed through this practice. Although this book was written for those in leadership roles in education, it will be inspiring for anyone interested in understanding their own minds and finding more ease in life and work." Joseph Goldstein, Co-Founder Insight Meditation Society
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2014
15 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 7, 2019
This book, quite possibly, has changed my life and my career.
April 21, 2021
Burned out. This was exactly what I needed. A practical, thoughtful guide to balance your life as a school leader. It was like this book was speaking to me, and the strategies are so helpful. Highly recommend to those struggling to balance it all!
February 16, 2019
Great resource for those that want to implement change in schools and teach others the importance of mindfulness in all areas of education!
July 26, 2020
Yawn. Required reading for CEUs.
July 19, 2016
I am a yoga and mindfulness teacher working in my local public school district and community and I can say first hand that the need for mindful school leaders is much needed. To create the conditions for a successful learning environment, first the infrastructure must be healthy and well-balanced.
This book is a must for every principal, teacher, paraprofessional-everyone who comes in contact with the school environment, so that they can be the active change they want to see within their own classrooms, school and community at large. This book is a veritable repository that is highlighted by extremely well documented support research and case studies making this project so real and accessible. The subjects of the case studies give voice to the possibility and proof that mindfulness can work. The provided mindfulness scripts are very handy, even offering scripts that are as short as 30 seconds!
I really appreciated how this book showed mindfulness in-motion/in-action; showing how accessible it is in our everyday lives-it’s just there-go ahead and grab it! I highly recommend this book-hop on it and find the groove that you are seeking. We are all leaders at one time or another. That is why this book is for you!
Full Disclosure: The author sent me a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own
This book is a must for every principal, teacher, paraprofessional-everyone who comes in contact with the school environment, so that they can be the active change they want to see within their own classrooms, school and community at large. This book is a veritable repository that is highlighted by extremely well documented support research and case studies making this project so real and accessible. The subjects of the case studies give voice to the possibility and proof that mindfulness can work. The provided mindfulness scripts are very handy, even offering scripts that are as short as 30 seconds!
I really appreciated how this book showed mindfulness in-motion/in-action; showing how accessible it is in our everyday lives-it’s just there-go ahead and grab it! I highly recommend this book-hop on it and find the groove that you are seeking. We are all leaders at one time or another. That is why this book is for you!
Full Disclosure: The author sent me a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own
January 10, 2023
When I first started reading this book for a graduate class, I was not thrilled. I thought it was too scientific. The case studies were long, and the mindful practice techniques would be better as audio versions. I wanted a book that helped me become mindful and help myself feel better about my leadership skills, and instead I felt defeated.
I realized I was trying to read the text like a novel and not like a textbook or something to help me. I was trying to take everything in at once.
I would suggest reading the book slowly, highlighting areas you appreciate, and rereading portions. Don't try to learn everything from the book, but instead take tips and ideas that will help you most.
I appreciated the quick mindful breathing techniques, ideas for journaling, and some of the case studies that helped me see what I can do with mindfulness. I appreciated the thought provoking questions and inspiring stories. And I would read this book again, not all the way through, but when I need certain refreshers, especially on being a better listener.
I realized I was trying to read the text like a novel and not like a textbook or something to help me. I was trying to take everything in at once.
I would suggest reading the book slowly, highlighting areas you appreciate, and rereading portions. Don't try to learn everything from the book, but instead take tips and ideas that will help you most.
I appreciated the quick mindful breathing techniques, ideas for journaling, and some of the case studies that helped me see what I can do with mindfulness. I appreciated the thought provoking questions and inspiring stories. And I would read this book again, not all the way through, but when I need certain refreshers, especially on being a better listener.
April 24, 2015
A great resource book for anyone in education. Although geared towards school leaders lots of helpful techniques to keep the most difficult of situations into perspective. Online resources and a Facebook page will help to keep the topics of mindfulness current. Another great book about being and focusing on the moment.
March 29, 2015
A book worth reading for all school leaders...mindfulness is a practice that I strive for and this book definitely helps begin the journey!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews