Sharon Ross, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor, DILI Coordinator

Sharon Ross, Ed.D., fell in love with education as a daycare and kindergarten teacher, leading her to earn her teaching certification. She moved up to teaching elementary school, became a principal and then an assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. In this role, she led district initiatives and gained the confidence to serve as a district CEO. Dr. Ross successfully served as Superintendent of Schools in two Texas districts over eight years, spanning a 26-year career in seven school districts.

Dr. Ross taught and coordinated the superintendent program at Tarleton State University's Fort Worth campus and taught principalship courses. After retiring from public schools in 2016, she taught in the superintendent program at East Texas Baptist University. In August 2022, Dr. Ross joined A&M-Commerce as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership.

Outside of A&M-Commerce, Dr. Ross is active with her family, church and sorority. She is married and has a blended family with four daughters, eleven grandchildren and a chihuahua. Dr. Ross hosts a weekly Facebook bible study series and is a member of the Epsilon Beta Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.

A Conversation with Dr. Ross

Why do you like teaching?

I started out teaching my cousins from the wooden porch at my grandparents' home in Troup, Texas, and have been teaching since we were kids. I not only like but love and enjoy teaching because I get to have conversations with students that inspire learning and instill hope toward their dreams and aspirations. I get to create opportunities in my advising, mentoring and teaching that prepares day-one and future-ready school administrators for careers in and beyond education. When the students are ready, my work transforms their lives even beyond the designed coursework, and that is why I am passionate about teaching.

What do you like most about your career?

What I like most about my career in education is motivating students and getting the opportunity to inspire aspiring school leaders to look beyond what they currently see in education and re-imagine a school of the future. I enjoy being in classrooms when students inquire about scenarios/current events, and I can provide relatable insight and direction regarding school leadership or bring in current leaders to speak from the practitioners’ view on the subject. Our educational leadership graduates leave A&M-Commerce and change the trajectory for students, teachers and families across the state and nation. I hope to enjoy the success of many more cohorts and students coming through our programs! Marian Wright Edelman said it best, and I believe this wholeheartedly: “I'm doing what I think I was put on this earth to do. And I'm really grateful to have something that I'm passionate about and that I think is profoundly important.” – Marian Wright Edelman

Educational Background

• DDiv., Theological Seminary, Bread of Life Christian University Theological Seminary (Tyler campus), 2016
• Ed.D., Educational Administration, Stephen F. Austin State University, 2000
• M.Ed., Educational Administration, University of Texas at Tyler, 1996
• B.S., Elementary Education, University of Texas at Tyler, 1990
• A.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, Tyler Junior College, 1983

Awards and Honors

• Texas Council of Women School Executives Bravo Award, 2024

Research Interests

• Superintendent leadership issues
• Women superintendents with emphasis on African American and rural administrators
• District and campus leaders
• Rural school issues
• Mentoring, self-care and resilience

Professional Organizations

• American Educational Research Association
• Texas Council of Women School Executives
• Texas Women in Higher Education
• Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration
• Texas Association of Black Professionals in Higher Education
• Texas Alliance of Black School Educators
• Texas Association of Secondary School Principals
• National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated

Selected Publications

• Atchley, S., & Ross, S. (2024). Redesigning Principal Preparation Programs: A continuous improvement culture using Bambrick-Santoyo's data meeting conceptual framework. In McKee, L. Editor, Read, S. Editor, & Rickey, D. Editor (Eds.), Using data for continuous improvement in educator preparation. (pp. 150-161). Myers Education Press.
• Taylor, J., Ross, S., Washington, K., & Brown, K. (2024). Igniting resilience during critical times: Reflections of women superintendents. School Leadership Review, 18:2(2). https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/slr/vol18/iss2/2
• Washington, K., Brown, K., Taylor, J.L. & Ross, S. (2023). During critical times: The perceptions women in educational leadership and work satisfaction. Journal of Texas Women School Executives, 8(1), 20-35. https://issuu.com/tasanet/docs/jtwse23
• Ross, S., Pruitt, S., Atchley, S. (2023). Matters of the heart: Supporting from the office to the classroom. TxEP: Texas Educator Preparation Journal.
• Ross, S. (2022). Changing dynamics, moving forward: From voices heard & lessons learned. National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Krinon Journal.

Featured Courses

EDAD 515 Leading Effective Schools

EDAD 620 School District Instructional Leadership – Human Resources

EDAD 561 Culturally Responsive Campus Leadership