October 4, 2025 • 44 mins
If you’ve ever wondered what a great public school district looks like from the inside, this conversation pulls back the curtain with rare honesty and heart. I got the opportunity to sit with Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall to trace how Arcadia Unified pairs long‑term stability with thoughtful innovation—and why families from far and wide aim to enroll here.
Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Christine Zito (00:05):
Hello and welcome to Arcadia FYI.
I am so glad that you're here,and I just want to say thank you
so much for making this asuccess.
I am like, I am so happy withthe city of Arcadia and just the
community that we that we havehere.
I do want to say, please bepatient with me with the emails
(00:26):
and the Facebook messages ofyour suggestions, your concerns,
some events happening here andoutside of the city of Arcadia.
Thank you, thank you.
I am getting to those.
Okay.
Just be patient with me.
I mean, I'm only one littleperson.
I can I am getting to them.
You will hear from me.
All right.
I would like to thank oursponsors, um, Longo Toyota Lexus
(00:48):
in El Monte.
Now you know what I'm gonna sayit.
You gotta go by and check itout.
Say hi to Brooke and Mike.
I mean, I think they're uh theyhave a hundred acres, I think.
I think it's it's a huge lot ofall these cars.
And they do more than just sellcars.
You just gotta go check it out.
Star Seven Financial withFrancine Chu.
I think she's one of thegreatest financial advisors in
(01:10):
education and um for kids.
We'll we'll kind of touch onthat a little bit.
The Santa Anita Park.
In fact, I can almost see thehorses running out on the track
right here, right down the well,a little bit, you know, around
the corner.
But Pete's gonna be in andtalking about the things that
are happening at the Santa AnitaPark.
A lot of great things going on.
I'm pretty sure you heard someof it.
Wait until you hear it from thehorse's mouth.
(01:31):
Yes, pun intended.
The Le Méridien Hotel inArcadia and Pasadena here.
Uh well, Arcadia, yeah,Pasadena.
Uh someone was asking me, youkeep talking about you're gonna
have the Le Méridien on.
I know.
She was supposed to be on acouple of weeks ago, but she'll
be on next week.
Okay, last week we had MJ.
I hope you had um some greatinformation and how to grow your
(01:52):
business online.
Okay.
How many of you are parents outthere?
Okay, let me count one, two,okay, a lot of you.
How many of your kids, how manyof the parents of the kids are
in the Arcadia School District?
Okay, one, two, a lot.
Okay, okay, you're gonna likethis show because in studio I
have the superintendent of theArcadia Unified School District
(02:14):
to talk about schools,education, and if you're on
YouTube, you can already see himtalk about kids and get to know
Dr. David Vannasdall.
Yes.
Did I say your name right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (02:25):
You nailed it.
Christine Zito (02:27):
I was practicing all day and last night, so I
just wanted to make sure.
Welcome to Arcadia.
Dr. David Vannasdall (02:33):
I've been admiring your work for a long
time and appreciate the workthat you do for the chamber.
And so it's just awesome to behere in your studio.
Christine Zito (02:41):
That's very humbling because you you what
you do for the kids in this hugeuh well, not a huge school
district, but a very successfulschool district.
Okay, let's get to know youjust a little bit here.
Um now I know you weren't bornin Arcadia or here.
Dr. David Vannasdall (02:58):
You were where Midwest, Cincinnati, the
the Kentucky side of the OhioRiver, but I always say
Cincinnati because people knowwhere Cincinnati is, but kind of
along the northern Kentucky.
Christine Zito (03:09):
Northern Kentucky.
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:10):
So were you born in in Ohio or born in
Missouri and then we movedaround middle school to okay?
Christine Zito (03:17):
So you were born in Missouri.
Is it Missouri or Missouri?
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:21):
We said Missouri, but it depends on
where you're from in the state.
Christine Zito (03:24):
I know.
So people correct me.
It's Missouri, Christine.
I know.
Okay, okay.
So all right, so then you wereborn in Missouri, but did you go
to school in Ohio?
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:33):
I went to no University of Kentucky for
college, and and then I did workin in Cincinnati, Ohio before
coming out to California.
Christine Zito (03:42):
Okay, so who's your football team?
Dr. David Vannasdal (03:44):
University, well, I'm married to a Penn
State grad.
Christine Zito (03:49):
Oh, okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:50):
My dog's name is Nittany.
The Nittany Lions.
Yeah.
So here's the the deal.
She gets football seasonbecause that's their sport.
I get basketball season becauseI bleed blue, University of
Kentucky.
So that's how we keep peace atour house.
Christine Zito (04:04):
I happen to, you know, Kentucky did really good.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:07):
They did.
Christine Zito (04:07):
They do very well, the the college in college
cookies.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:11):
Weren't as good when I was in in uh
attending back in the day.
And and football.
And basketball, they've alwaysbeen on.
Christine Zito (04:17):
Yeah, they've always been good.
Okay, so football.
All right.
So now that you're in LA, areyou a Dodger fan?
I'm just gonna test you nowbecause if not, we're gonna end
the show.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:24):
I am a Dodger fan now.
I am a Dodger fan.
Although I'm holding on to theBengals for football.
Oh, okay.
Cincinnati Bengals.
I don't know why.
It's uh it's tough having arelationship with the Bengals.
They let you down every place.
I know.
I have hope.
Christine Zito (04:36):
I know.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:37):
But the Dodgers, it's just fun.
Everyone in my office is aDodger fan, and you know, the
games on in the in the lounge.
Christine Zito (04:44):
Did you play sports growing up?
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:45):
I did.
I played soccer.
Oh, really?
Soccer is my sport, and uh myson right now is in club soccer,
and that's that's where I am onweekends.
I'm at the fields for the clubsoccer tournaments and driving
all over.
Christine Zito (04:59):
So okay, so you already mentioned you're
married.
How many kids do you have?
Dr. David Vannasdall (05:03):
I have five kids.
So I have three adult childrenthat I raised all the way up,
divorced, remarried, anddecided, let's do this again and
raise kids again.
Uh, and it has been the bestblessing in my life.
And uh, you know, once I was atArcadia, I got involved in the
I was single and got involved inthe bowling league.
(05:24):
Oh people know, but the the thestaff in Arcadia District have
a bowling league, and it's it'severyone, like different teams
from different schools,elementary, middle, high,
maintenance department folks,painting, you know, you name it.
And uh I got involved just tokind of get out of the house.
I was principal of Arcadia Highand you know, working night and
day, and uh didn't expect to,but met my now wife who was a
(05:49):
teacher at Camino Grove.
And back then there wasn't alot of crossover between an
elementary and a high school, soyou know I didn't get to see
her.
And and she'll want me to saytell everyone she was in the
district first.
Okay, she's always make surepeople know that.
Uh, and then uh, you know, gotmarried and and uh decided that
well, she talked me into a dogfirst, and like eased me in, and
(06:12):
like one, and then that's God'shumor to have twins, right?
So it's been an incredibleblessing.
They're in seventh grade withtwins.
Christine Zito (06:19):
Yeah, I was gonna say you have twins.
Dr. David Vannasdall (06:20):
I saw that First Avenue and just having a
blast.
I you know, the biggest perk ofmy job is that my kids get to
attend Arcadia schools becausethey just do an incredible job.
I'm so fortunate.
Christine Zito (06:32):
Yeah, that's great, man.
I just want to keep talkingabout who you are.
Well, let's talk about how nowyou've transitioned into
education.
Where'd you gain that or gatherthat passion for a higher
education for children?
Dr. David Vannasdall (06:46):
Yeah, I I'd always been involved in in
uh volunteerism when I wasyounger and uh coaching, even at
a young age.
I just I loved watching andbeing a part of people become
the best version of themselvesand and and in different areas.
And I wasn't sure.
I was one of those folks thatwhen I went to college, I didn't
have that clear path.
(07:07):
You know, so many of ourArcadia High students have this
you know laser focus on this iswhat I want to do.
I wasn't that fortunate.
Went to the University ofKentucky, was interested in
psychology and counseling andthose types of things.
Um was confused and by junioryear, where you really have to
kind of focus in.
I went to the counseling officeand they give you all those
(07:28):
tests to you know help youunderstand who you who you are.
And they sat down with me andthey said, You're either gonna
be a priest or an educator or ateacher.
Wow, that's uh I know, right?
Priest education.
Nowadays kids have so manythings to pick from.
Back then it was very, youknow, it was like a doctor, you
(07:49):
know.
And uh I thought I was like,you know, the teacher thing.
And the the guy said, Iactually know someone in the
education department.
Let me call them.
You can go talk to them.
And I met and it was like thisinstant, these are my people.
As soon as I kind of got intothe college of education, I was
like, this is what I want to do.
So went through the route of aI was a history teacher, seventh
grade, when I started mycareer.
Christine Zito (08:09):
Seventh grade, junior high.
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:11):
I love the middle school and the rapid
hormones.
Kids are, you know, they'rethey're on top of the world in
the morning, and by lunch, theyou know, the world's going down
and they cry.
But I love that.
I love that.
Christine Zito (08:23):
Oh, yes, my junior high school.
Okay, let's move on.
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:26):
Um and then I just it went from that to
uh seeing that I I'm reallyinto the whole child, and and I
was focused as much on the kids'whole development as I was
history.
So that what me put me intocounseling, and then I got a
degree in counseling.
I then went the the route of uhI was a therapist, uh I had my
(08:46):
own private practice.
Christine Zito (08:47):
Is that how you got your doctorate?
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:49):
No, I got my doctorate once I got out here
in leadership.
But I got another, I got amaster's degree in in counseling
as well.
Christine Zito (08:55):
Oh, okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:56):
And did that, but I found that very
isolating.
And I I applaud people that cando that, but to sit and meet
with you know five, six clientsa day and take on a lot of heavy
stuff.
Yeah, and I didn't have a lotof interaction.
I was like, I I just I needmore, and I need a lot of you
know, collaboration with adultsand different things.
So I went back into theeducation field, but stayed in
the counseling area, and thensaw like, hey, I'm very involved
(09:19):
in administration as well.
I can make a greater impact inthat way, and got another
master's in leadership.
Christine Zito (09:26):
Okay, well, how many wait no how many masters do
you have?
Dr. David Vannasdall (09:28):
No, right?
I'm like, you know, bachelor'sfrom UK, I got a master's from
Xavier University in uhcommunity and school counseling,
and then a master's degree fromthe University of Cincinnati in
uh urban leadership.
And then once I was out here, II got my doctorate degree in in
education.
So yeah, a lot of schooling.
A lot of school a lot of moneyto a lot of people.
Christine Zito (09:49):
I bet yeah, yeah, me too.
So I I understand.
Yeah, but yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (09:56):
You know, that just to end that, I um I
was very uh, you know, leadingthe largest high school and
successful high school in thestate of Ohio at the age of 30.
I was very fortunate that a lotof people saw my potential and
gave me opportunities that theyprobably shouldn't have done.
I was way too young uh andloving that job and kind of had
everything, you know, picketfence, three kids back in Ohio,
(10:18):
Kentucky, and uh my son gotinvolved in in uh theater in and
was made the uh Broadway showof Oliver at age 10.
Oh wow.
So I say all that because I hadeverything Broadway in New
York?
Yeah.
Christine Zito (10:32):
Wow.
Dr. David Vannasdall (10:33):
Never saw California coming, but all of a
sudden he had this opportunity,and they were traveling the
whole family all over thecountry because then it went on
the road.
You know, the travelingBroadway shows that you know go
to the show.
Christine Zito (10:44):
Do you know every song from Oliver now?
Dr. David Vannasdall (10:46):
Oh, I I'm I can't I'm not gonna sing.
They didn't get that talentfrom me.
That was their mom's side.
But I have the whole showmemorized, obviously.
Uh and and then it was theiconic, you know, go west, young
man, yeah, chase your dreamstory that so many Californians
have.
And just we just soldeverything, and I uh left my job
(11:07):
that I loved and just came outto California, to LA, and just
said we're gonna start over so Icould support him in TV and and
movies.
And right.
Christine Zito (11:15):
Is he doing is he still acting today?
Dr. David Vannasdall (11:16):
He's not.
He went to college, took abreak, he did a lot, you know,
some Disney and and things, uhDrake and Josh show back in the
day.
There's a lot of things.
And uh he then uh promised mehe would go to college, and he
did, and then after college, hedecided just to go music.
So all three of my adultchildren are musicians and uh
successful and enjoying thosegroups.
Christine Zito (11:36):
Very talented, yeah, and enjoying it.
Very talented kids.
Dr. David Vannasdall (11:39):
And so here I am, and but if someone
had told me how beautiful itwas, yeah, here it is.
I would have come earlier toLA.
Once I got out of here, I'mlike, oh my gosh.
Christine Zito (11:47):
It is it it is nice, it's sunny.
I don't like the humidity attimes during the summer, but
other than that, I I Californiais a beautiful state, and
there's a lot of little uhpockets that are hidden that are
just beautiful.
Okay, so now let's talk aboutbeing a superintendent of this
school district.
Okay, what does that mean?
Dr. David Vannasdall (12:09):
Yeah.
The the closest thing I cancompare to CEO of a corporation,
right?
You just have so many movingparts.
We're probably the largestemployer in in the city.
Uh we have over 2,000 staff andover 9,000 students and comes
with families and parents.
Christine Zito (12:26):
Did you hear that?
9,000.
9,000 students.
Dr. David Vannasdall (12:30):
It scares me if I think about it, right?
I can eat.
Uh it's a lot ofresponsibility.
But I I get to work with anincredible team, and so my job
really is to build a team aroundmyself that that kind of takes
care of the 360 of ourorganization.
And people think of school andeducation as the classroom, and
that is why we're there for thatmagic that takes place in the
(12:50):
classroom, that teaching andlearning.
But we're, you know, we weserve over 6,000 meals a day.
You know, we have ourtransportation department, our
maintenance department, youknow, it it we're basically
running a city, and so, youknow, I surround myself, my
executive team that I call them.
I have, you know, our businessservices, that's all of you
(13:12):
know, payroll and finance, andall of our maintenance and and
facilities.
And then I have our HRdepartment, uh, my assistant
soup, I have my ed servicessuperintendent, uh, Ryan Farama,
my communications, and then myuh chief uh technology and
innovation.
So the six of us are basicallythe team.
Those five carry out all thework, and then of course they
(13:35):
have departments and staff.
Christine Zito (13:36):
Now you have a board too, right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (13:38):
I do.
So I work for an elected board.
So I our school board, justlike a city council, is elected
by our community.
Christine Zito (13:45):
And yours is not, though.
Dr. David Vannasdall (13:46):
Yours is my position is appointed is
hired by the board.
Yeah.
And in fact, I'm the onlyposition that's hired by the
board.
Christine Zito (13:54):
And then I see okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (13:56):
Have the uh the authority to see I'm
learning something I'm inschool, right?
Run the district.
So yeah, it's it's uh, youknow, a lot of people really
don't understand how it worksand what the role of the school
board and even the separationbetween the school and the city,
you know, there's always a lotof confusion on that.
So um so I work directly withthe board, and the board sets
(14:20):
the vision, sets the policy,approves all expenditures, the
budget.
Christine Zito (14:25):
Okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (14:25):
So, you know, my staff, myself, we bring
all that to the board forapproval, but we bring we do the
work and bring therecommendations to the board,
and they're the oversight andset the direction.
Christine Zito (14:36):
I see.
And so I guess uh now that I'mlearning this, who comes up with
all the curriculum and theskill sets to get our kids ready
for the future?
Dr. David Vannasdall (14:48):
Yeah, we we have incredible team ed
services.
So we have uh curriculumdirectors, um, you know, Dr.
Forcy, uh who is the theassistant superintendent for ed
services.
Um, you know, we theycollaborate with people in the
greater San Gabriel Valley area.
Um we have a lot of supportfrom the state, from the county.
(15:11):
There's state guidelines, youknow, on curriculum, textbooks.
Christine Zito (15:15):
Because you're public.
We are public, it's differentfrom private.
Yes.
Okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:20):
Yeah.
Christine Zito (15:21):
So being I don't want to say controlled.
You're not controlled by thestate, but there is guidelines
with the state.
Is that right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:29):
Control is a good word.
Christine Zito (15:30):
Yeah, it's okay, it's it is a good word.
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:31):
They like to say we have local control,
but every time you get money,it's like any government money.
It there's a lot of bureaucracyand strings.
If you're gonna take the money,these are the things you have
to control.
Okay, but let me haveoversight.
We'll use that.
Christine Zito (15:43):
Right.
Let's let's talk about thatwith the control of the
governments, and then you haveparents.
How do you balance the controlof the of the state with parents
that disagree with it?
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:54):
Yeah.
That is what's playing out inboardrooms right now across the
state, and sometimes very toxicwhere there's disagreements.
Christine Zito (16:02):
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (16:03):
Where we've been successful in Arcadia
is we really believe and leaninto a lot of choice for for our
students and our and ourparents.
So for example, the the statewill come down and say there's a
a new course that you knowevery child's gonna take, and
you know, like ethnic studies.
So that's that's one thatbecame very uh was a hot button
(16:25):
for a lot of districts, right?
And some and they'll recommendhere is a recommended curriculum
for that, but there's otherways that you can fulfill this
requirement, right?
We don't take the easy road andjust okay, we'll take what they
say and say, oh, every kid, nowyou have to take that.
We're very thoughtful,strategic, we we look at what
they're recommending, we wefollow the law, so we know we're
(16:48):
gonna have to implement this,but we look at how many
different ways would our meetour students' needs and our
families, right?
Um, you know, like we're youknow, right now we're we're
talking about the Apache uhdesignation, and that's
something that also the state isweighing in on.
But, you know, we because ofour relationship with the White
Mountain Apaches, we were like,you know, there's a there's a
(17:11):
chance also to include a lot ofhistory of the Apache people
because we have thisrelationship.
So we could offer a course thatmeets that requirement because
it's really about diversity andstudents learning about other
folks, other people.
And uh, and so you know, wejust we brought forward like
eight different courses to meetthat requirement.
So how that gets back toparents being upset, we don't
(17:34):
force parents into having totake their child has to take
this one class that they don'tagree with, right?
We we provide choices.
Christine Zito (17:42):
Oh, okay, that's that's good to know.
Dr. David Vannasdall (17:48):
But we also respect the parents' rights
and we want to give them anoption and a path that that they
feel okay with.
So that's been successful.
Christine Zito (17:56):
So overseeing the district, you do elementary,
junior high, high school.
Okay, so here's a here's abroad w how do you approach the
differences in leadership foreach of those different levels
of education?
Dr. David Vannasdall (18:12):
Well, uh really because my position is
more on the 40,000-foot levellevel of of ensuring that as a
unified school district weoperate as one organization.
So so first I would say thatit's the same across the board
because it's it's about culture.
It's about you know how do wegenuinely believe um education
uh is servicing our communityand and you know the why why do
(18:35):
we exist and and you know how dowe approach the day-to-day, you
know, um activities of ofstudent learning.
Uh and so in Arcadia, you know,we've worked really hard over
the years to ensure that whenyou hear a an elementary
principal or a teacher talkabout the district and their
role, it should sound very muchthe same as a high school
(18:58):
because we all serve the samekids.
We each have one twelfth orthirteenth if they go to K and
TK, one fourteenth.
Um so we're all workingtogether and it just scaffolds
and builds on each other, right?
So that you know that thatstudent when they go from
kindergarten to first, it shouldfeel the same, you know, same
(19:19):
language, we're just growing.
Christine Zito (19:21):
Even though they're scared to death.
Dr. David Vannasdall (19:22):
Yeah.
You know, but then it shouldalso feel the same between
elementary and middle and middleto high because we're all the
same district, right?
And so, you know, creatingprograms like character ed
programs that all the schoolshave, not just one school has
this character ed and this one.
So we we use leader in me.
It was developed by Covey, anda lot of us were fans of Covey
in the day, or still are.
(19:43):
Um so we look work hard to dothings where our students and
our teachers really seethemselves as just part of of
this entire system.
So no one works in isolation.
In fact, the work's just waytoo hard anymore to do yourself.
Christine Zito (19:57):
So teachers really they support each other
because yeah, when I when I I Ihang out with teachers, I okay,
I'll say my life group with mychurch, almost all the girls in
there, the ladies, are teachers.
Yeah.
And to see them support eachother, it's a really beautiful
thing to see when it comes toteachers.
And I is that i with with unityamong the teachers, is that a
(20:22):
that has to be some type ofbackbone to to making this
success.
Dr. David Vannasdall (20:28):
We have a theme each year.
You know, first of all, we uhwe created these values um that
we have on the wall, and youknow, like empathy and learn
from failure.
You know, learn from failurewas the big one that people said
we can't, we're Arcadia, wecan't put the word failure on
our wall, right?
It's like, no, we really dobecause we because people feel
(20:50):
uncomfortable with that, that'swhy we have to do it, because
failure is the way people growand the way people it took me a
long time to embrace that, butyeah, it's it comes with an
experience.
Uh but you know, so we we kindof live by the same set of
values and then we create themesevery year that we all rally
behind.
And and if I can share realquick, this year it's Imagine,
(21:10):
Inquire, Inspire, which is ourtagline that we've been using
for eight years.
So it's not new, but we are inthe the process this year of
talking about what is life gonnalook like in 15 years?
So we really want to vision andengage with the business
community, our parents, ourstudents, and talk about with
AI, you know, being integrated,what are the jobs that are gonna
(21:33):
be out there, and then startasking the tough questions.
Are we providing the needs andexperiences that our students
are gonna need when theygraduate?
Not right now, but we'reteaching kids in preschool right
now that are gonna not be outfor 13, 14 years.
Christine Zito (21:49):
That is great.
That gives me chills.
Dr. David Vannasdall (21:50):
That is really Imagine Inquire Inspire
is really to kind of get peoplethe imagine, right?
Think outside, not today,because the world's gonna be so
different in 15 years.
So, what should we be thinkingabout?
We have such a smart community,right?
I mean, people in differentfields and jobs that can you
know help us and give us input.
And then, you know, the the uhinquires, really asking the
(22:11):
tough questions, okay, howeveryone wants everything.
How does it fit into what we doand not you know negatively
impact what is working?
And so you really have to bethoughtful, and then ultimately
what will inspire, likesomething that we can like our
North Star, right?
What can we point to and say,like, wow, we this is where
we're going, and if we can hitthis, all of our kids are gonna
(22:33):
be super successful in and youknow, 15 years out.
Christine Zito (22:36):
I think what's scary too, and what do you think
that with the future holds, AIseems so singular?
Yeah, but people don't see thebroad picture of artificial
intelligence.
There's a lot of options thatyou could choose from as we grow
into this new technology andinto a new future.
Dr. David Vannasdall (22:52):
Yeah.
Is that something we we knowit's it's a powerful tool.
Yeah.
I mean, clearly it's somethingthat you can't ignore.
Students need to be learninghow to use it as a tool, you
know, how to master it.
Uh we also know that powerfultools can be used for negative
things.
And if you look back inhistory, that's easy to see.
(23:14):
So, you know, that's where alsobecoming a uh just a good
citizen and understanding, youknow, responsibilities and
morals and all of those thingscome in.
That's that that whole childkind of education.
So, you know, when you start topartner those two, but but
honestly, right now it's likedrinking from a fire hose with
AI, right?
(23:34):
Like we're just getting so muchinformation and like every app
now is using it, right?
Christine Zito (23:40):
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (23:40):
So I it I'd be lying if I said that, oh,
I have a grip on this and Iknow where this is going.
We're watching it, we're we'rewe recognize we got to begin to
implement it as a tool forteachers, for students.
Uh, but it's it's interestingkind of watching right now where
where is it gonna go?
Like, and how soon will itimpact you know our daily lives?
Christine Zito (24:02):
You know, the Arcadia School District, people
uh from everywhere try to get anapartment.
They're that they they willlive in a tent to have their
kids go to the Arcadia SchoolDistrict.
Why is that, Dr.
David?
I mean, what is it about theeducation about the schools here
in Arcadia that people wanttheir children to attend?
Dr. David Vannasdall (24:26):
Yeah.
Well, you know, a lot of peopledo their homework.
So I think it starts for mostpeople, you know, Google
searching and all of that,right?
And and it's excellence, andwhat does that mean for
different people?
And there's excellence acrossthe board.
What I like to explain, andit's hard to just narrow down
because we're we're a livingorganism, right?
Everything you touch, you pulla string at here, it impacts
(24:47):
over here.
So it's very delicate andfragile, but it's the rich
tradition and history that wehave, and it boils down to
stability and consistency andplaying the long road.
Uh, you know, we in Arcadia, wedon't go off on these left
turns all of a sudden.
And and that has to do withstability and longevity of the
(25:10):
school board members, right?
They served for many, manyyears.
They were PTA parents, theyunderstand who we are.
They don't come on the boardand like, I want, you know, I
know someone that that has thiscompany and and we should use
this new reading program, youknow.
We have fundamental, you know,reading programs in our
elementary we've been using forover 30 years.
(25:30):
Why?
Because they work.
Yeah and we know they work.
So we don't take the newest,you know, silver bullet that
someone's selling and say thatyou should do this.
We're we're you know, we groweach year, we innovate each
year, but each year grows onlast year.
We we don't leave that.
And and so when you have asteady board, you have a steady
superintendent.
(25:51):
You know, it's my 20th year.
Christine Zito (25:52):
I know you know I was gonna get to that.
Wow.
Dr. David Vannasdall (25:54):
I'm invested here.
My kids are here, right?
Like I'm making decisions thatI'm gonna have to live with,
that my kids will have to livewith.
I'm not just here to get apaycheck for three years and get
uh my resume builder and moveon, right?
But that's not the norm.
Christine Zito (26:09):
Well, we're not gonna let you lead, Dr.
I'm sorry.
Dr. David Vannasdall (26:12):
And then and then when the superintendent
study, you have the executiveteam that's been here eight
years.
My team has not, it's been thesame.
And then you have teachers thatare not gonna leave.
So when you put all thattogether, uh people don't aren't
able to really identify it, butwhat we have is something
that's slowly been building 50plus years, and it just keeps
(26:33):
getting better every year.
But it's fragile because youknow, that stability starts at
the top with the board.
They are political they'reelected.
And you know, we've beenfortunate that those five people
don't run for board because youknow they they want to build a
name and run for something else.
They just want to give back tothe system.
Christine Zito (26:53):
Yeah, I see some of the board members at the
supermarket.
Dr. David Vannasdall (26:56):
Um the president or the Lee Chavez
right now is our president, yes.
Christine Zito (27:00):
Oh, Lee, we have we'll see each other at
Ralph's.
Yeah, and it's so funny.
We her and I will try and goearly Saturday morning so we
don't see anybody.
And we're like, you know, I ammy hair's not, you know, that
and we and then there she is.
It's so funny.
I mean, she is just I I love Ilove Lee.
Dr. David Vannasdall (27:15):
She's really and our board members
aren't paid.
These aren't paid positions.
They're at everything.
Christine Zito (27:20):
Everything and they're happy.
Okay, so I I'm I'm gonna saythis.
Um, the only way that I could Iwas a high school teacher for,
you know, I and I taught in theROP program.
Oh, so yeah, I loved it.
I did it for like six years andI got my teaching credentials
at the University of San Diego,and I loved it.
I love kids.
I love any the the the youknow, when when you call them
(27:41):
teenagers, I say no, they'reyoung adults, you know, okay,
they're teens, aging.
But they're they're just Imean, like you said, um what
I've learned being a high schoolteacher, they're they like to
absorb information, they justwant to be taught.
I I mean of course they'rewild, we were always wild.
But the reason what I loveabout the the Arcadia High
(28:02):
School District is one thingthat you touch on is
consistency.
It works, and I'm gonna compareit to In N Out Burger, whether
you like it or not.
I mean, their menu is the same.
Dr. David Vannasdall (28:11):
It's a great example.
Christine Zito (28:13):
And it is when you go there, you expect that
you're gonna get you know whatyou're gonna get, and the same
thing with the Arcadia HighSchool District or that Arcadia
School District.
Yeah, there is consistency inthe education, and when students
graduate, whether it be fromelementary to junior high to
junior high to high school, andespecially from high school into
(28:33):
our future, they are wellprepared and skilled.
Yes, and that is and I I'm notjust saying that, I mean that's
what I have learned.
And it's and and I don't gosh,Dr.
David.
Dr. David Vannasdall (28:47):
You know, I'll touch on that culture real
quick because so many people,and I and I like to emphasize
this because people will talkabout the the academic
excellence, and it's there,right?
Uh and what you just said, wehave evidence across the board
for that.
When our kids come back fromcollege after you know going in
their freshman year, thefeedback is always across.
No matter what level of studentyou were at Arcadia High, I was
(29:08):
very prepared, and usuallythey're surprised at how
unprepared their roommates fromother places are.
Christine Zito (29:14):
Well, you give them a chance.
Dr. David Vannasdall (29:15):
But the the culture is also it it kids
have a place to belong inArcadia.
And it is truly a home and it'sa special place.
And I I have to share thisstory because it it moved me um
a couple years ago.
We had a librarian, and uh sheshared with me this story that
that she had a student.
(29:36):
I went in one day, and therewas a a girl in in one of the
aisles, and and she was on uhsitting down and in some tears,
and I was like, What's going on?
She told me the story that thatshe had come in one day and was
crying, and she didn't know youknow, it's like, do you do you
say something?
Do you not?
She went over, she sat downwith her and just said, you
know, can I is are you okay?
(29:56):
Is there anything?
And then she shared that herfather had just died.
I I get emotional cheeringness.
And uh and that, you know, andand so the librarian just, you
know, it's like there's no wordsyou can say in that moment.
It's like, you know, thatthat's gonna make everything
okay.
She said, Do you mind tellingme about your father?
Just, you know, like what tellme about it.
Christine Zito (30:15):
Oh my gosh, you're gonna make me cry.
Dr. David Vannasdall (30:16):
She went on and on, just you know, really
opening up about him and thespecial things he did, his
hobbies and different things.
And um, she thanked her and andyou know, she left.
The librarian spent the nextweek making a collection of
books that resemble a lot of thehobbies and the different
(30:36):
things, traits that that herthat she shared about her
father.
And she made a little row ofbooks in the library, and the
next time that girl came in, shesaid, Hey, I've made this for
you.
If you're having a bad day,just come in here and you can
kind of sit and see it as aspace to just you know be with
your father.
(30:57):
And the girl did does, and shedid, and she spent a lot of that
year coming in there.
They were tears of joy, youknow, at that point.
They were tears of remembranceand whatever.
But you don't see that.
Like nowhere when you do youryour research for Arcadia
schools and the academicexcellence, and people spend a
lot of money and they come here,yeah.
(31:18):
You know, that's what they see.
But I I always want to sharethat other side is that's what
you get.
Like you get a place to belong,and people care deeply.
Our staff care deeply.
We get to recruit the very besteducators because of our
reputation.
People want to come here, andthat's at the end of the day,
that's what I want for my child.
You know.
Christine Zito (31:39):
Well, yeah, especially when because I can
think back in my in my yearswith school teachers that really
came alongside me and helped mein in just negotiating life.
Right.
Especially when you lose aparent, that has to be that has
to be tough.
There's so many things I somany things, but there's two
(32:01):
questions I wanted to to askyou.
One for the parents and thenone for the the students.
Um and plus real fast, with youhaving your master's in
counseling, I bet you do a lotof a lot of emotional okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (32:13):
Actually, it's it's all the counseling.
Because I don't I don't have alot of answers all the time,
right?
But you can be with people.
Yeah.
And you can walk with them.
So it is what I do.
Christine Zito (32:22):
And sometimes no voice is a good voice.
I know.
You know, and so okay, soparents.
Yeah.
How do you how can parentsprepare themselves and their
children for, let's say, thefirst day of school?
Not just practically, well,maybe practically and
emotionally.
Yeah.
I mean, what is it?
I mean, are you on I'm I I'masking you to put on your little
(32:45):
counseling hat here.
Dr. David Vannasdall (32:46):
The first day of school, we see this a
lot, you know, and it's just sonatural.
We have the cry, you know, thecriers, the kids, and and I'm
talking about the parents.
Right.
Not the kids.
Um and it's just such a naturaluh, you know, it's time it's
the natural uh new chapter in akid's life, right?
(33:07):
And then the parents have hadthem in their home under their
protection for you know allthese years.
Um, and it's just gonna happen.
I the best thing I can prepareparents is that uh remind them
that this is what you've beenpreparing them for, right?
You know, as parents, we'rewe're giving them these skills,
we're trying to make them moreand more independent, you know,
(33:27):
from birth all the way, youknow, through.
And they're gonna be okay andthey're gonna be a little
uncomfortable.
But I have to tell you that,you know, every generation of
parents swings back and forth,right?
From too lenient to too toughto too, whatever I didn't get, I
want to provide for my kid,right?
It just didn't happen.
Christine Zito (33:46):
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (33:46):
Right now, what we're dealing with is uh
parents that just want to bubblewrap their kids and they don't
want them to ever fall or havesymbolically fall, I mean and
encounter any pain or you know,uncomfortability or whatever.
And I wish that was life.
I would lie to coach parentsbecause I've been there, I've
(34:09):
seen you know, naturalconsequences is one of the best
teachers in life.
And but I mean by naturalconsequence, if you forget, if a
child forgets to take theirlunch and it should be their
responsibility, not yours, youknow, at a certain age, guess
what?
They'll be a little hungry,they're not gonna die.
Christine Zito (34:26):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (34:27):
They're gonna be okay, and that's what's
gonna teach them to remembertheir lunch the next day.
It it's a good thing.
Yeah, instead of running intothe school.
If you have to get to schooland you're hanging outside the
fence to give them their thing,you're you you're not you're
taking away a really importantlearning opportunity for that
child.
Now, all parents, we do this.
I'm guilty of it.
We do it because we want thebest for our kids, but I ask
(34:50):
them to really slow down andstart thinking about like what
should the child be responsiblefor?
And you know, and so that, youknow, on the first day and when
when they enter school, youknow, ask them about their day,
but don't ask with a mind thatyou're trying to fix everything
or you want to jump in.
You know, it's natural they'regonna have issues with other
(35:10):
kids.
It's like listening to them,asking them the right questions
of do you have any, have youthought about how you might
manage that or how you're gonnadeal with it?
Christine Zito (35:18):
Well, do you know what?
Now that you brought that up,how do you deal with the
different ethnicities and the uhbullying?
Yeah, you know, do you guyshave a a plan?
Dr. David Vannasdall (35:32):
We do.
I mean we have a bullyingpolicy, and and you know, but a
lot of what we bullying isreally I mean, if there's a
clear definition and it's reallyabout repetitive, and and and
that does happen, and we haveyou know really strict, you
know, policies and ways tomanage that.
But it's really a there's a lotof just one-offs that's not
bullying, but it's mean.
You know, and just reallymanaging, and that's natural
(35:54):
too.
Kids as they come together,that you know, you have a single
child in a household that'snever had to navigate anything
with with that someone else, andnow they're in a class with,
you know, they're that's noteasy, right?
And so, you know, it's reallyabout that education piece of
really, you know, giving kids,walking them through what's
(36:14):
appropriate, what's not, givingthem the correct options.
There's always discipline, butthe the real thing is how to
correct it, because you want itto be better in the future, not
just a discipline.
Christine Zito (36:25):
I think for me as a as a parent, I'm not a
parent, but I mean um if I was aparent, it's just safety.
Yeah.
You know, when it comes down totaking your child to safety.
And I'm pretty sure you haveprotocols for anybody that comes
onto the campus that wants toendanger the kids, you know.
And and that's what makes uhyou know the the the leadership
(36:46):
so important for for kids.
So how can can how can parentshow can you help them maintain
good communication with thedistrict and with the teachers?
I mean Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (36:59):
I'll tell you uh what I start with is is
parents and schools are in apartnership.
And by nature, partnershipmeans you have to get to know
each other.
There has to be a relationship,and relationship comes through
talking, through meeting, andmeeting and talking when the
opportunities come up.
(37:20):
And sometimes those areuncomfortable things.
So when something you knowhappens in a classroom, the kid
comes home and reports it to themom or dad, and they want to,
and here's what happens more andmore today, but that's because
of society.
But we're trying to counterthat is people want to go
straight to the top, right?
So like I might get an emailfrom a parent that, you know,
(37:40):
this happened in my child'sclass today, I and and I want
you to fix it.
And it's like, I'm sitting inmy office at district, you know,
like I wasn't there, youweren't there as a parent.
You know, like let's you shouldalways there should be a
respectful way to deal withpeople.
And and these are for adults,lessons for adults too, right?
We go to the source.
(38:00):
So the first thing this parentsshould contact the teacher, can
we talk?
You know, here's what my mychild shared.
I want to hear about that andhow we could work together to
solve that.
And and you you talk throughit, right?
That's the first.
And then we have escalation,like you know, if they're if
you're not satisfied after thatas a parent, you can go to the
you know principal or theassistant principal and talk
(38:22):
about it.
But it should always start inabout 95% of issues are solved
if people will just go and havethe respect.
And it is uncomfortable, right?
You know, when you step intothat, like, oh, I want to bring
this up, and you know, but butwhen you solve it with the
teacher and the parent, not onlydid they just solve the issue
(38:44):
for the kid, but they now have abetter relationship moving
forward, right?
Because they they've they'vethey've worked together on
trust.
Christine Zito (38:51):
How are you gonna trust somebody if they
don't communicate?
Dr. David Vannasdall (38:53):
That is it's absolute trust, and there
has to be a trust there.
And so, you know, that's thenumber one thing I encourage
people is that you have to takethe time.
But people are so busy today,and society has gotten to this
point, like you know, during thepandemic, where you know uh
people aren't happy at they havea bad experience instead of
telling someone at therestaurant they go home and they
just slam them on social media.
(39:14):
It's like, yeah, did you have ayou know, did you give that
feedback?
Did you have a conversation?
So we're countering that, butwe have to because part of being
a healthy organization societyis we are humans have to talk to
each other.
Christine Zito (39:30):
I think people find it so much easier to yell
rather than to sit and talk.
Dr. David Vannasdall (39:35):
Or anonymous.
Yeah.
I get anonymous emails.
The problem with that is it'sjust like throwing a grenade in
a room.
Like, I can't do anything withthat because how do I follow up
with you?
How do I ask more questions?
Because yeah, I want to improveeverything.
I mean, any feedback I get, youknow, once I know it, I can't
unhear it.
I want to do that.
You're not personally.
You don't know everything, Dr.
David?
Uh so you know, it's I alwaystell people too, it's like, you
(39:59):
know, well, I'm afraid ofretribution or it's like we're
we don't have anonymous, we'repartners.
Christine Zito (40:03):
Yeah, right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (40:04):
Be part of the problem.
Christine Zito (40:05):
You know, and you have to be willing to
approach the situation, whetheryou're right or wrong.
And I, you know, when Iapproach something, I gotta be
ready to be corrected.
Maybe I was wrong in thesituation.
Oh, okay, I see.
Instead of going like, hey, youknow, you did this to my kid.
Dr. David Vannasdall (40:18):
Even if we disagree to people, there's
always nuggets that I learn.
Or it's not like holisticdisagree.
It's like, okay, I I Iunderstand your point.
I've walked away learning fromit.
So it's just so important thatwe continue to remember that
that we are in the peoplebusiness and we have to be
partners.
And so parents need to uh, youknow, just uh give that time
(40:41):
because it's for our kids.
Christine Zito (40:42):
And you're constantly around people of of
all ages.
I I I I so respect you, Dr.
David.
Okay, so for students, how doyou help them to um embrace the
benefits that you bring for ahigher education?
Like I'm pretty sure do youever have students come up to
you and ask you for advice andthings like that?
(41:03):
So I mean what do you do tostand as that inspiration?
Dr. David Vannasdall (41:09):
Yeah.
I you know, right now is is Imean, these our kids right now
have the greatest opportunitybecause the with technology, the
the exposure and and theability to find like colleges
and higher education institutesof all kinds all over the
country.
I mean, we used to produce asheet of where all of our
students, you know, went toafter graduation.
(41:31):
I mean, it might have been twopages, which was pretty lengthy,
but like over the last fiveyears, it's now like 20 pages.
Because kids now have accessto, you know, we have software
at our high school in the in thein the um counseling center
where they can go on and putlike what's the field they're
interested in.
Do they want to how far do theywant to live from home?
Do they want a big school, asmall school?
(41:53):
Like a million differentvariables.
And then it just produces likeall these colleges that people
have never heard of.
But we have great universitiesand colleges all over the
country, not just the few thateveryone always mentions.
Christine Zito (42:07):
Does anybody ever leave the country to go to
college?
Dr. David Vannasdall (42:09):
Oh, oh yeah.
Oh, we have a lot, we have alot too.
Yeah, that is.
But we now we we cover theUnited States, you know,
globally, people are going allover.
So when I tell people ourgraduates are truly becoming the
leaders of the world in thefuture, they really are.
Our TDI graduates are all overthe map.
And and that's a great thingbecause listen, if if they're
(42:30):
gonna be in leadershippositions, we're in good hands.
Christine Zito (42:33):
Oh my gosh, we are so out of time.
It is, you know what, what agreat conversation.
I just have to say thank you,Dr.
David, and to your staff forgiving our kids here in the in
the city of Arcadia anopportunity for the future.
And how you organize all ofthat is just pretty amazing.
I know we just touched thesurface.
(42:54):
So you are gonna come back anddo the best job in the world.
So um, you guys are in thefootball season right now,
right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (43:00):
We are, so follow us, you know, follow our
uh uh social media unifiedschool district and find out
about all the events going on.
Christine Zito (43:07):
Well, I'll have if there's any events that uh
Dr.
David or the staff gives me, Iwill put it on arcadiafyi.com so
that that they can always go tothat resource and find out more
what's going on in ourdistrict.
What a great interview! I thisis thank you so much for being
here.
And you are definitely comingback because there's so much we
have to talk about.
Once again, I'd like to thankour sponsors.
(43:29):
I do it every every show. LongoToyota and Lexus in El Monte.
And again, you gotta go bythere and check it out.
Seven Star Financial withFrancine Chu.
We didn't even talk about theedge of getting our students
ready for the financial aspectof education.
The Santa Anita Park and theLe Méridien hotel in Arcadia and
(43:51):
Pasadena.
Until next time, I'll bewaiting for your emails and your
Facebook messages.
Have a blessed day and make ita great week.
Hello and welcome to Arcadia FYI.
I am so glad that you're here,and I just want to say thank you
so much for making this asuccess.
I am like, I am so happy withthe city of Arcadia and just the
community that we that we havehere.
I do want to say, please bepatient with me with the emails
(00:26):
and the Facebook messages ofyour suggestions, your concerns,
some events happening here andoutside of the city of Arcadia.
Thank you, thank you.
I am getting to those.
Okay.
Just be patient with me.
I mean, I'm only one littleperson.
I can I am getting to them.
You will hear from me.
All right.
I would like to thank oursponsors, um, Longo Toyota Lexus
(00:48):
in El Monte.
Now you know what I'm gonna sayit.
You gotta go by and check itout.
Say hi to Brooke and Mike.
I mean, I think they're uh theyhave a hundred acres, I think.
I think it's it's a huge lot ofall these cars.
And they do more than just sellcars.
You just gotta go check it out.
Star Seven Financial withFrancine Chu.
I think she's one of thegreatest financial advisors in
(01:10):
education and um for kids.
We'll we'll kind of touch onthat a little bit.
The Santa Anita Park.
In fact, I can almost see thehorses running out on the track
right here, right down the well,a little bit, you know, around
the corner.
But Pete's gonna be in andtalking about the things that
are happening at the Santa AnitaPark.
A lot of great things going on.
I'm pretty sure you heard someof it.
Wait until you hear it from thehorse's mouth.
(01:31):
Yes, pun intended.
The Le Méridien Hotel inArcadia and Pasadena here.
Uh well, Arcadia, yeah,Pasadena.
Uh someone was asking me, youkeep talking about you're gonna
have the Le Méridien on.
I know.
She was supposed to be on acouple of weeks ago, but she'll
be on next week.
Okay, last week we had MJ.
I hope you had um some greatinformation and how to grow your
(01:52):
business online.
Okay.
How many of you are parents outthere?
Okay, let me count one, two,okay, a lot of you.
How many of your kids, how manyof the parents of the kids are
in the Arcadia School District?
Okay, one, two, a lot.
Okay, okay, you're gonna likethis show because in studio I
have the superintendent of theArcadia Unified School District
(02:14):
to talk about schools,education, and if you're on
YouTube, you can already see himtalk about kids and get to know
Dr. David Vannasdall.
Yes.
Did I say your name right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (02:25):
You nailed it.
Christine Zito (02:27):
I was practicing all day and last night, so I
just wanted to make sure.
Welcome to Arcadia.
Dr. David Vannasdall (02:33):
I've been admiring your work for a long
time and appreciate the workthat you do for the chamber.
And so it's just awesome to behere in your studio.
Christine Zito (02:41):
That's very humbling because you you what
you do for the kids in this hugeuh well, not a huge school
district, but a very successfulschool district.
Okay, let's get to know youjust a little bit here.
Um now I know you weren't bornin Arcadia or here.
Dr. David Vannasdall (02:58):
You were where Midwest, Cincinnati, the
the Kentucky side of the OhioRiver, but I always say
Cincinnati because people knowwhere Cincinnati is, but kind of
along the northern Kentucky.
Christine Zito (03:09):
Northern Kentucky.
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:10):
So were you born in in Ohio or born in
Missouri and then we movedaround middle school to okay?
Christine Zito (03:17):
So you were born in Missouri.
Is it Missouri or Missouri?
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:21):
We said Missouri, but it depends on
where you're from in the state.
Christine Zito (03:24):
I know.
So people correct me.
It's Missouri, Christine.
I know.
Okay, okay.
So all right, so then you wereborn in Missouri, but did you go
to school in Ohio?
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:33):
I went to no University of Kentucky for
college, and and then I did workin in Cincinnati, Ohio before
coming out to California.
Christine Zito (03:42):
Okay, so who's your football team?
Dr. David Vannasdal (03:44):
University, well, I'm married to a Penn
State grad.
Christine Zito (03:49):
Oh, okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (03:50):
My dog's name is Nittany.
The Nittany Lions.
Yeah.
So here's the the deal.
She gets football seasonbecause that's their sport.
I get basketball season becauseI bleed blue, University of
Kentucky.
So that's how we keep peace atour house.
Christine Zito (04:04):
I happen to, you know, Kentucky did really good.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:07):
They did.
Christine Zito (04:07):
They do very well, the the college in college
cookies.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:11):
Weren't as good when I was in in uh
attending back in the day.
And and football.
And basketball, they've alwaysbeen on.
Christine Zito (04:17):
Yeah, they've always been good.
Okay, so football.
All right.
So now that you're in LA, areyou a Dodger fan?
I'm just gonna test you nowbecause if not, we're gonna end
the show.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:24):
I am a Dodger fan now.
I am a Dodger fan.
Although I'm holding on to theBengals for football.
Oh, okay.
Cincinnati Bengals.
I don't know why.
It's uh it's tough having arelationship with the Bengals.
They let you down every place.
I know.
I have hope.
Christine Zito (04:36):
I know.
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:37):
But the Dodgers, it's just fun.
Everyone in my office is aDodger fan, and you know, the
games on in the in the lounge.
Christine Zito (04:44):
Did you play sports growing up?
Dr. David Vannasdall (04:45):
I did.
I played soccer.
Oh, really?
Soccer is my sport, and uh myson right now is in club soccer,
and that's that's where I am onweekends.
I'm at the fields for the clubsoccer tournaments and driving
all over.
Christine Zito (04:59):
So okay, so you already mentioned you're
married.
How many kids do you have?
Dr. David Vannasdall (05:03):
I have five kids.
So I have three adult childrenthat I raised all the way up,
divorced, remarried, anddecided, let's do this again and
raise kids again.
Uh, and it has been the bestblessing in my life.
And uh, you know, once I was atArcadia, I got involved in the
I was single and got involved inthe bowling league.
(05:24):
Oh people know, but the the thestaff in Arcadia District have
a bowling league, and it's it'severyone, like different teams
from different schools,elementary, middle, high,
maintenance department folks,painting, you know, you name it.
And uh I got involved just tokind of get out of the house.
I was principal of Arcadia Highand you know, working night and
day, and uh didn't expect to,but met my now wife who was a
(05:49):
teacher at Camino Grove.
And back then there wasn't alot of crossover between an
elementary and a high school, soyou know I didn't get to see
her.
And and she'll want me to saytell everyone she was in the
district first.
Okay, she's always make surepeople know that.
Uh, and then uh, you know, gotmarried and and uh decided that
well, she talked me into a dogfirst, and like eased me in, and
(06:12):
like one, and then that's God'shumor to have twins, right?
So it's been an incredibleblessing.
They're in seventh grade withtwins.
Christine Zito (06:19):
Yeah, I was gonna say you have twins.
Dr. David Vannasdall (06:20):
I saw that First Avenue and just having a
blast.
I you know, the biggest perk ofmy job is that my kids get to
attend Arcadia schools becausethey just do an incredible job.
I'm so fortunate.
Christine Zito (06:32):
Yeah, that's great, man.
I just want to keep talkingabout who you are.
Well, let's talk about how nowyou've transitioned into
education.
Where'd you gain that or gatherthat passion for a higher
education for children?
Dr. David Vannasdall (06:46):
Yeah, I I'd always been involved in in
uh volunteerism when I wasyounger and uh coaching, even at
a young age.
I just I loved watching andbeing a part of people become
the best version of themselvesand and and in different areas.
And I wasn't sure.
I was one of those folks thatwhen I went to college, I didn't
have that clear path.
(07:07):
You know, so many of ourArcadia High students have this
you know laser focus on this iswhat I want to do.
I wasn't that fortunate.
Went to the University ofKentucky, was interested in
psychology and counseling andthose types of things.
Um was confused and by junioryear, where you really have to
kind of focus in.
I went to the counseling officeand they give you all those
(07:28):
tests to you know help youunderstand who you who you are.
And they sat down with me andthey said, You're either gonna
be a priest or an educator or ateacher.
Wow, that's uh I know, right?
Priest education.
Nowadays kids have so manythings to pick from.
Back then it was very, youknow, it was like a doctor, you
(07:49):
know.
And uh I thought I was like,you know, the teacher thing.
And the the guy said, Iactually know someone in the
education department.
Let me call them.
You can go talk to them.
And I met and it was like thisinstant, these are my people.
As soon as I kind of got intothe college of education, I was
like, this is what I want to do.
So went through the route of aI was a history teacher, seventh
grade, when I started mycareer.
Christine Zito (08:09):
Seventh grade, junior high.
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:11):
I love the middle school and the rapid
hormones.
Kids are, you know, they'rethey're on top of the world in
the morning, and by lunch, theyou know, the world's going down
and they cry.
But I love that.
I love that.
Christine Zito (08:23):
Oh, yes, my junior high school.
Okay, let's move on.
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:26):
Um and then I just it went from that to
uh seeing that I I'm reallyinto the whole child, and and I
was focused as much on the kids'whole development as I was
history.
So that what me put me intocounseling, and then I got a
degree in counseling.
I then went the the route of uhI was a therapist, uh I had my
(08:46):
own private practice.
Christine Zito (08:47):
Is that how you got your doctorate?
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:49):
No, I got my doctorate once I got out here
in leadership.
But I got another, I got amaster's degree in in counseling
as well.
Christine Zito (08:55):
Oh, okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (08:56):
And did that, but I found that very
isolating.
And I I applaud people that cando that, but to sit and meet
with you know five, six clientsa day and take on a lot of heavy
stuff.
Yeah, and I didn't have a lotof interaction.
I was like, I I just I needmore, and I need a lot of you
know, collaboration with adultsand different things.
So I went back into theeducation field, but stayed in
the counseling area, and thensaw like, hey, I'm very involved
(09:19):
in administration as well.
I can make a greater impact inthat way, and got another
master's in leadership.
Christine Zito (09:26):
Okay, well, how many wait no how many masters do
you have?
Dr. David Vannasdall (09:28):
No, right?
I'm like, you know, bachelor'sfrom UK, I got a master's from
Xavier University in uhcommunity and school counseling,
and then a master's degree fromthe University of Cincinnati in
uh urban leadership.
And then once I was out here, II got my doctorate degree in in
education.
So yeah, a lot of schooling.
A lot of school a lot of moneyto a lot of people.
Christine Zito (09:49):
I bet yeah, yeah, me too.
So I I understand.
Yeah, but yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (09:56):
You know, that just to end that, I um I
was very uh, you know, leadingthe largest high school and
successful high school in thestate of Ohio at the age of 30.
I was very fortunate that a lotof people saw my potential and
gave me opportunities that theyprobably shouldn't have done.
I was way too young uh andloving that job and kind of had
everything, you know, picketfence, three kids back in Ohio,
(10:18):
Kentucky, and uh my son gotinvolved in in uh theater in and
was made the uh Broadway showof Oliver at age 10.
Oh wow.
So I say all that because I hadeverything Broadway in New
York?
Yeah.
Christine Zito (10:32):
Wow.
Dr. David Vannasdall (10:33):
Never saw California coming, but all of a
sudden he had this opportunity,and they were traveling the
whole family all over thecountry because then it went on
the road.
You know, the travelingBroadway shows that you know go
to the show.
Christine Zito (10:44):
Do you know every song from Oliver now?
Dr. David Vannasdall (10:46):
Oh, I I'm I can't I'm not gonna sing.
They didn't get that talentfrom me.
That was their mom's side.
But I have the whole showmemorized, obviously.
Uh and and then it was theiconic, you know, go west, young
man, yeah, chase your dreamstory that so many Californians
have.
And just we just soldeverything, and I uh left my job
(11:07):
that I loved and just came outto California, to LA, and just
said we're gonna start over so Icould support him in TV and and
movies.
And right.
Christine Zito (11:15):
Is he doing is he still acting today?
Dr. David Vannasdall (11:16):
He's not.
He went to college, took abreak, he did a lot, you know,
some Disney and and things, uhDrake and Josh show back in the
day.
There's a lot of things.
And uh he then uh promised mehe would go to college, and he
did, and then after college, hedecided just to go music.
So all three of my adultchildren are musicians and uh
successful and enjoying thosegroups.
Christine Zito (11:36):
Very talented, yeah, and enjoying it.
Very talented kids.
Dr. David Vannasdall (11:39):
And so here I am, and but if someone
had told me how beautiful itwas, yeah, here it is.
I would have come earlier toLA.
Once I got out of here, I'mlike, oh my gosh.
Christine Zito (11:47):
It is it it is nice, it's sunny.
I don't like the humidity attimes during the summer, but
other than that, I I Californiais a beautiful state, and
there's a lot of little uhpockets that are hidden that are
just beautiful.
Okay, so now let's talk aboutbeing a superintendent of this
school district.
Okay, what does that mean?
Dr. David Vannasdall (12:09):
Yeah.
The the closest thing I cancompare to CEO of a corporation,
right?
You just have so many movingparts.
We're probably the largestemployer in in the city.
Uh we have over 2,000 staff andover 9,000 students and comes
with families and parents.
Christine Zito (12:26):
Did you hear that?
9,000.
9,000 students.
Dr. David Vannasdall (12:30):
It scares me if I think about it, right?
I can eat.
Uh it's a lot ofresponsibility.
But I I get to work with anincredible team, and so my job
really is to build a team aroundmyself that that kind of takes
care of the 360 of ourorganization.
And people think of school andeducation as the classroom, and
that is why we're there for thatmagic that takes place in the
(12:50):
classroom, that teaching andlearning.
But we're, you know, we weserve over 6,000 meals a day.
You know, we have ourtransportation department, our
maintenance department, youknow, it it we're basically
running a city, and so, youknow, I surround myself, my
executive team that I call them.
I have, you know, our businessservices, that's all of you
(13:12):
know, payroll and finance, andall of our maintenance and and
facilities.
And then I have our HRdepartment, uh, my assistant
soup, I have my ed servicessuperintendent, uh, Ryan Farama,
my communications, and then myuh chief uh technology and
innovation.
So the six of us are basicallythe team.
Those five carry out all thework, and then of course they
(13:35):
have departments and staff.
Christine Zito (13:36):
Now you have a board too, right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (13:38):
I do.
So I work for an elected board.
So I our school board, justlike a city council, is elected
by our community.
Christine Zito (13:45):
And yours is not, though.
Dr. David Vannasdall (13:46):
Yours is my position is appointed is
hired by the board.
Yeah.
And in fact, I'm the onlyposition that's hired by the
board.
Christine Zito (13:54):
And then I see okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (13:56):
Have the uh the authority to see I'm
learning something I'm inschool, right?
Run the district.
So yeah, it's it's uh, youknow, a lot of people really
don't understand how it worksand what the role of the school
board and even the separationbetween the school and the city,
you know, there's always a lotof confusion on that.
So um so I work directly withthe board, and the board sets
(14:20):
the vision, sets the policy,approves all expenditures, the
budget.
Christine Zito (14:25):
Okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (14:25):
So, you know, my staff, myself, we bring
all that to the board forapproval, but we bring we do the
work and bring therecommendations to the board,
and they're the oversight andset the direction.
Christine Zito (14:36):
I see.
And so I guess uh now that I'mlearning this, who comes up with
all the curriculum and theskill sets to get our kids ready
for the future?
Dr. David Vannasdall (14:48):
Yeah, we we have incredible team ed
services.
So we have uh curriculumdirectors, um, you know, Dr.
Forcy, uh who is the theassistant superintendent for ed
services.
Um, you know, we theycollaborate with people in the
greater San Gabriel Valley area.
Um we have a lot of supportfrom the state, from the county.
(15:11):
There's state guidelines, youknow, on curriculum, textbooks.
Christine Zito (15:15):
Because you're public.
We are public, it's differentfrom private.
Yes.
Okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:20):
Yeah.
Christine Zito (15:21):
So being I don't want to say controlled.
You're not controlled by thestate, but there is guidelines
with the state.
Is that right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:29):
Control is a good word.
Christine Zito (15:30):
Yeah, it's okay, it's it is a good word.
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:31):
They like to say we have local control,
but every time you get money,it's like any government money.
It there's a lot of bureaucracyand strings.
If you're gonna take the money,these are the things you have
to control.
Okay, but let me haveoversight.
We'll use that.
Christine Zito (15:43):
Right.
Let's let's talk about thatwith the control of the
governments, and then you haveparents.
How do you balance the controlof the of the state with parents
that disagree with it?
Dr. David Vannasdall (15:54):
Yeah.
That is what's playing out inboardrooms right now across the
state, and sometimes very toxicwhere there's disagreements.
Christine Zito (16:02):
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (16:03):
Where we've been successful in Arcadia
is we really believe and leaninto a lot of choice for for our
students and our and ourparents.
So for example, the the statewill come down and say there's a
a new course that you knowevery child's gonna take, and
you know, like ethnic studies.
So that's that's one thatbecame very uh was a hot button
(16:25):
for a lot of districts, right?
And some and they'll recommendhere is a recommended curriculum
for that, but there's otherways that you can fulfill this
requirement, right?
We don't take the easy road andjust okay, we'll take what they
say and say, oh, every kid, nowyou have to take that.
We're very thoughtful,strategic, we we look at what
they're recommending, we wefollow the law, so we know we're
(16:48):
gonna have to implement this,but we look at how many
different ways would our meetour students' needs and our
families, right?
Um, you know, like we're youknow, right now we're we're
talking about the Apache uhdesignation, and that's
something that also the state isweighing in on.
But, you know, we because ofour relationship with the White
Mountain Apaches, we were like,you know, there's a there's a
(17:11):
chance also to include a lot ofhistory of the Apache people
because we have thisrelationship.
So we could offer a course thatmeets that requirement because
it's really about diversity andstudents learning about other
folks, other people.
And uh, and so you know, wejust we brought forward like
eight different courses to meetthat requirement.
So how that gets back toparents being upset, we don't
(17:34):
force parents into having totake their child has to take
this one class that they don'tagree with, right?
We we provide choices.
Christine Zito (17:42):
Oh, okay, that's that's good to know.
Dr. David Vannasdall (17:48):
But we also respect the parents' rights
and we want to give them anoption and a path that that they
feel okay with.
So that's been successful.
Christine Zito (17:56):
So overseeing the district, you do elementary,
junior high, high school.
Okay, so here's a here's abroad w how do you approach the
differences in leadership foreach of those different levels
of education?
Dr. David Vannasdall (18:12):
Well, uh really because my position is
more on the 40,000-foot levellevel of of ensuring that as a
unified school district weoperate as one organization.
So so first I would say thatit's the same across the board
because it's it's about culture.
It's about you know how do wegenuinely believe um education
uh is servicing our communityand and you know the why why do
(18:35):
we exist and and you know how dowe approach the day-to-day, you
know, um activities of ofstudent learning.
Uh and so in Arcadia, you know,we've worked really hard over
the years to ensure that whenyou hear a an elementary
principal or a teacher talkabout the district and their
role, it should sound very muchthe same as a high school
(18:58):
because we all serve the samekids.
We each have one twelfth orthirteenth if they go to K and
TK, one fourteenth.
Um so we're all workingtogether and it just scaffolds
and builds on each other, right?
So that you know that thatstudent when they go from
kindergarten to first, it shouldfeel the same, you know, same
(19:19):
language, we're just growing.
Christine Zito (19:21):
Even though they're scared to death.
Dr. David Vannasdall (19:22):
Yeah.
You know, but then it shouldalso feel the same between
elementary and middle and middleto high because we're all the
same district, right?
And so, you know, creatingprograms like character ed
programs that all the schoolshave, not just one school has
this character ed and this one.
So we we use leader in me.
It was developed by Covey, anda lot of us were fans of Covey
in the day, or still are.
(19:43):
Um so we look work hard to dothings where our students and
our teachers really seethemselves as just part of of
this entire system.
So no one works in isolation.
In fact, the work's just waytoo hard anymore to do yourself.
Christine Zito (19:57):
So teachers really they support each other
because yeah, when I when I I Ihang out with teachers, I okay,
I'll say my life group with mychurch, almost all the girls in
there, the ladies, are teachers.
Yeah.
And to see them support eachother, it's a really beautiful
thing to see when it comes toteachers.
And I is that i with with unityamong the teachers, is that a
(20:22):
that has to be some type ofbackbone to to making this
success.
Dr. David Vannasdall (20:28):
We have a theme each year.
You know, first of all, we uhwe created these values um that
we have on the wall, and youknow, like empathy and learn
from failure.
You know, learn from failurewas the big one that people said
we can't, we're Arcadia, wecan't put the word failure on
our wall, right?
It's like, no, we really dobecause we because people feel
(20:50):
uncomfortable with that, that'swhy we have to do it, because
failure is the way people growand the way people it took me a
long time to embrace that, butyeah, it's it comes with an
experience.
Uh but you know, so we we kindof live by the same set of
values and then we create themesevery year that we all rally
behind.
And and if I can share realquick, this year it's Imagine,
(21:10):
Inquire, Inspire, which is ourtagline that we've been using
for eight years.
So it's not new, but we are inthe the process this year of
talking about what is life gonnalook like in 15 years?
So we really want to vision andengage with the business
community, our parents, ourstudents, and talk about with
AI, you know, being integrated,what are the jobs that are gonna
(21:33):
be out there, and then startasking the tough questions.
Are we providing the needs andexperiences that our students
are gonna need when theygraduate?
Not right now, but we'reteaching kids in preschool right
now that are gonna not be outfor 13, 14 years.
Christine Zito (21:49):
That is great.
That gives me chills.
Dr. David Vannasdall (21:50):
That is really Imagine Inquire Inspire
is really to kind of get peoplethe imagine, right?
Think outside, not today,because the world's gonna be so
different in 15 years.
So, what should we be thinkingabout?
We have such a smart community,right?
I mean, people in differentfields and jobs that can you
know help us and give us input.
And then, you know, the the uhinquires, really asking the
(22:11):
tough questions, okay, howeveryone wants everything.
How does it fit into what we doand not you know negatively
impact what is working?
And so you really have to bethoughtful, and then ultimately
what will inspire, likesomething that we can like our
North Star, right?
What can we point to and say,like, wow, we this is where
we're going, and if we can hitthis, all of our kids are gonna
(22:33):
be super successful in and youknow, 15 years out.
Christine Zito (22:36):
I think what's scary too, and what do you think
that with the future holds, AIseems so singular?
Yeah, but people don't see thebroad picture of artificial
intelligence.
There's a lot of options thatyou could choose from as we grow
into this new technology andinto a new future.
Dr. David Vannasdall (22:52):
Yeah.
Is that something we we knowit's it's a powerful tool.
Yeah.
I mean, clearly it's somethingthat you can't ignore.
Students need to be learninghow to use it as a tool, you
know, how to master it.
Uh we also know that powerfultools can be used for negative
things.
And if you look back inhistory, that's easy to see.
(23:14):
So, you know, that's where alsobecoming a uh just a good
citizen and understanding, youknow, responsibilities and
morals and all of those thingscome in.
That's that that whole childkind of education.
So, you know, when you start topartner those two, but but
honestly, right now it's likedrinking from a fire hose with
AI, right?
(23:34):
Like we're just getting so muchinformation and like every app
now is using it, right?
Christine Zito (23:40):
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (23:40):
So I it I'd be lying if I said that, oh,
I have a grip on this and Iknow where this is going.
We're watching it, we're we'rewe recognize we got to begin to
implement it as a tool forteachers, for students.
Uh, but it's it's interestingkind of watching right now where
where is it gonna go?
Like, and how soon will itimpact you know our daily lives?
Christine Zito (24:02):
You know, the Arcadia School District, people
uh from everywhere try to get anapartment.
They're that they they willlive in a tent to have their
kids go to the Arcadia SchoolDistrict.
Why is that, Dr.
David?
I mean, what is it about theeducation about the schools here
in Arcadia that people wanttheir children to attend?
Dr. David Vannasdall (24:26):
Yeah.
Well, you know, a lot of peopledo their homework.
So I think it starts for mostpeople, you know, Google
searching and all of that,right?
And and it's excellence, andwhat does that mean for
different people?
And there's excellence acrossthe board.
What I like to explain, andit's hard to just narrow down
because we're we're a livingorganism, right?
Everything you touch, you pulla string at here, it impacts
(24:47):
over here.
So it's very delicate andfragile, but it's the rich
tradition and history that wehave, and it boils down to
stability and consistency andplaying the long road.
Uh, you know, we in Arcadia, wedon't go off on these left
turns all of a sudden.
And and that has to do withstability and longevity of the
(25:10):
school board members, right?
They served for many, manyyears.
They were PTA parents, theyunderstand who we are.
They don't come on the boardand like, I want, you know, I
know someone that that has thiscompany and and we should use
this new reading program, youknow.
We have fundamental, you know,reading programs in our
elementary we've been using forover 30 years.
(25:30):
Why?
Because they work.
Yeah and we know they work.
So we don't take the newest,you know, silver bullet that
someone's selling and say thatyou should do this.
We're we're you know, we groweach year, we innovate each
year, but each year grows onlast year.
We we don't leave that.
And and so when you have asteady board, you have a steady
superintendent.
(25:51):
You know, it's my 20th year.
Christine Zito (25:52):
I know you know I was gonna get to that.
Wow.
Dr. David Vannasdall (25:54):
I'm invested here.
My kids are here, right?
Like I'm making decisions thatI'm gonna have to live with,
that my kids will have to livewith.
I'm not just here to get apaycheck for three years and get
uh my resume builder and moveon, right?
But that's not the norm.
Christine Zito (26:09):
Well, we're not gonna let you lead, Dr.
I'm sorry.
Dr. David Vannasdall (26:12):
And then and then when the superintendent
study, you have the executiveteam that's been here eight
years.
My team has not, it's been thesame.
And then you have teachers thatare not gonna leave.
So when you put all thattogether, uh people don't aren't
able to really identify it, butwhat we have is something
that's slowly been building 50plus years, and it just keeps
(26:33):
getting better every year.
But it's fragile because youknow, that stability starts at
the top with the board.
They are political they'reelected.
And you know, we've beenfortunate that those five people
don't run for board because youknow they they want to build a
name and run for something else.
They just want to give back tothe system.
Christine Zito (26:53):
Yeah, I see some of the board members at the
supermarket.
Dr. David Vannasdall (26:56):
Um the president or the Lee Chavez
right now is our president, yes.
Christine Zito (27:00):
Oh, Lee, we have we'll see each other at
Ralph's.
Yeah, and it's so funny.
We her and I will try and goearly Saturday morning so we
don't see anybody.
And we're like, you know, I ammy hair's not, you know, that
and we and then there she is.
It's so funny.
I mean, she is just I I love Ilove Lee.
Dr. David Vannasdall (27:15):
She's really and our board members
aren't paid.
These aren't paid positions.
They're at everything.
Christine Zito (27:20):
Everything and they're happy.
Okay, so I I'm I'm gonna saythis.
Um, the only way that I could Iwas a high school teacher for,
you know, I and I taught in theROP program.
Oh, so yeah, I loved it.
I did it for like six years andI got my teaching credentials
at the University of San Diego,and I loved it.
I love kids.
I love any the the the youknow, when when you call them
(27:41):
teenagers, I say no, they'reyoung adults, you know, okay,
they're teens, aging.
But they're they're just Imean, like you said, um what
I've learned being a high schoolteacher, they're they like to
absorb information, they justwant to be taught.
I I mean of course they'rewild, we were always wild.
But the reason what I loveabout the the Arcadia High
(28:02):
School District is one thingthat you touch on is
consistency.
It works, and I'm gonna compareit to In N Out Burger, whether
you like it or not.
I mean, their menu is the same.
Dr. David Vannasdall (28:11):
It's a great example.
Christine Zito (28:13):
And it is when you go there, you expect that
you're gonna get you know whatyou're gonna get, and the same
thing with the Arcadia HighSchool District or that Arcadia
School District.
Yeah, there is consistency inthe education, and when students
graduate, whether it be fromelementary to junior high to
junior high to high school, andespecially from high school into
(28:33):
our future, they are wellprepared and skilled.
Yes, and that is and I I'm notjust saying that, I mean that's
what I have learned.
And it's and and I don't gosh,Dr.
David.
Dr. David Vannasdall (28:47):
You know, I'll touch on that culture real
quick because so many people,and I and I like to emphasize
this because people will talkabout the the academic
excellence, and it's there,right?
Uh and what you just said, wehave evidence across the board
for that.
When our kids come back fromcollege after you know going in
their freshman year, thefeedback is always across.
No matter what level of studentyou were at Arcadia High, I was
(29:08):
very prepared, and usuallythey're surprised at how
unprepared their roommates fromother places are.
Christine Zito (29:14):
Well, you give them a chance.
Dr. David Vannasdall (29:15):
But the the culture is also it it kids
have a place to belong inArcadia.
And it is truly a home and it'sa special place.
And I I have to share thisstory because it it moved me um
a couple years ago.
We had a librarian, and uh sheshared with me this story that
that she had a student.
(29:36):
I went in one day, and therewas a a girl in in one of the
aisles, and and she was on uhsitting down and in some tears,
and I was like, What's going on?
She told me the story that thatshe had come in one day and was
crying, and she didn't know youknow, it's like, do you do you
say something?
Do you not?
She went over, she sat downwith her and just said, you
know, can I is are you okay?
(29:56):
Is there anything?
And then she shared that herfather had just died.
I I get emotional cheeringness.
And uh and that, you know, andand so the librarian just, you
know, it's like there's no wordsyou can say in that moment.
It's like, you know, thatthat's gonna make everything
okay.
She said, Do you mind tellingme about your father?
Just, you know, like what tellme about it.
Christine Zito (30:15):
Oh my gosh, you're gonna make me cry.
Dr. David Vannasdall (30:16):
She went on and on, just you know, really
opening up about him and thespecial things he did, his
hobbies and different things.
And um, she thanked her and andyou know, she left.
The librarian spent the nextweek making a collection of
books that resemble a lot of thehobbies and the different
(30:36):
things, traits that that herthat she shared about her
father.
And she made a little row ofbooks in the library, and the
next time that girl came in, shesaid, Hey, I've made this for
you.
If you're having a bad day,just come in here and you can
kind of sit and see it as aspace to just you know be with
your father.
(30:57):
And the girl did does, and shedid, and she spent a lot of that
year coming in there.
They were tears of joy, youknow, at that point.
They were tears of remembranceand whatever.
But you don't see that.
Like nowhere when you do youryour research for Arcadia
schools and the academicexcellence, and people spend a
lot of money and they come here,yeah.
(31:18):
You know, that's what they see.
But I I always want to sharethat other side is that's what
you get.
Like you get a place to belong,and people care deeply.
Our staff care deeply.
We get to recruit the very besteducators because of our
reputation.
People want to come here, andthat's at the end of the day,
that's what I want for my child.
You know.
Christine Zito (31:39):
Well, yeah, especially when because I can
think back in my in my yearswith school teachers that really
came alongside me and helped mein in just negotiating life.
Right.
Especially when you lose aparent, that has to be that has
to be tough.
There's so many things I somany things, but there's two
(32:01):
questions I wanted to to askyou.
One for the parents and thenone for the the students.
Um and plus real fast, with youhaving your master's in
counseling, I bet you do a lotof a lot of emotional okay.
Dr. David Vannasdall (32:13):
Actually, it's it's all the counseling.
Because I don't I don't have alot of answers all the time,
right?
But you can be with people.
Yeah.
And you can walk with them.
So it is what I do.
Christine Zito (32:22):
And sometimes no voice is a good voice.
I know.
You know, and so okay, soparents.
Yeah.
How do you how can parentsprepare themselves and their
children for, let's say, thefirst day of school?
Not just practically, well,maybe practically and
emotionally.
Yeah.
I mean, what is it?
I mean, are you on I'm I I'masking you to put on your little
(32:45):
counseling hat here.
Dr. David Vannasdall (32:46):
The first day of school, we see this a
lot, you know, and it's just sonatural.
We have the cry, you know, thecriers, the kids, and and I'm
talking about the parents.
Right.
Not the kids.
Um and it's just such a naturaluh, you know, it's time it's
the natural uh new chapter in akid's life, right?
(33:07):
And then the parents have hadthem in their home under their
protection for you know allthese years.
Um, and it's just gonna happen.
I the best thing I can prepareparents is that uh remind them
that this is what you've beenpreparing them for, right?
You know, as parents, we'rewe're giving them these skills,
we're trying to make them moreand more independent, you know,
(33:27):
from birth all the way, youknow, through.
And they're gonna be okay andthey're gonna be a little
uncomfortable.
But I have to tell you that,you know, every generation of
parents swings back and forth,right?
From too lenient to too toughto too, whatever I didn't get, I
want to provide for my kid,right?
It just didn't happen.
Christine Zito (33:46):
Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (33:46):
Right now, what we're dealing with is uh
parents that just want to bubblewrap their kids and they don't
want them to ever fall or havesymbolically fall, I mean and
encounter any pain or you know,uncomfortability or whatever.
And I wish that was life.
I would lie to coach parentsbecause I've been there, I've
(34:09):
seen you know, naturalconsequences is one of the best
teachers in life.
And but I mean by naturalconsequence, if you forget, if a
child forgets to take theirlunch and it should be their
responsibility, not yours, youknow, at a certain age, guess
what?
They'll be a little hungry,they're not gonna die.
Christine Zito (34:26):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (34:27):
They're gonna be okay, and that's what's
gonna teach them to remembertheir lunch the next day.
It it's a good thing.
Yeah, instead of running intothe school.
If you have to get to schooland you're hanging outside the
fence to give them their thing,you're you you're not you're
taking away a really importantlearning opportunity for that
child.
Now, all parents, we do this.
I'm guilty of it.
We do it because we want thebest for our kids, but I ask
(34:50):
them to really slow down andstart thinking about like what
should the child be responsiblefor?
And you know, and so that, youknow, on the first day and when
when they enter school, youknow, ask them about their day,
but don't ask with a mind thatyou're trying to fix everything
or you want to jump in.
You know, it's natural they'regonna have issues with other
(35:10):
kids.
It's like listening to them,asking them the right questions
of do you have any, have youthought about how you might
manage that or how you're gonnadeal with it?
Christine Zito (35:18):
Well, do you know what?
Now that you brought that up,how do you deal with the
different ethnicities and the uhbullying?
Yeah, you know, do you guyshave a a plan?
Dr. David Vannasdall (35:32):
We do.
I mean we have a bullyingpolicy, and and you know, but a
lot of what we bullying isreally I mean, if there's a
clear definition and it's reallyabout repetitive, and and and
that does happen, and we haveyou know really strict, you
know, policies and ways tomanage that.
But it's really a there's a lotof just one-offs that's not
bullying, but it's mean.
You know, and just reallymanaging, and that's natural
(35:54):
too.
Kids as they come together,that you know, you have a single
child in a household that'snever had to navigate anything
with with that someone else, andnow they're in a class with,
you know, they're that's noteasy, right?
And so, you know, it's reallyabout that education piece of
really, you know, giving kids,walking them through what's
(36:14):
appropriate, what's not, givingthem the correct options.
There's always discipline, butthe the real thing is how to
correct it, because you want itto be better in the future, not
just a discipline.
Christine Zito (36:25):
I think for me as a as a parent, I'm not a
parent, but I mean um if I was aparent, it's just safety.
Yeah.
You know, when it comes down totaking your child to safety.
And I'm pretty sure you haveprotocols for anybody that comes
onto the campus that wants toendanger the kids, you know.
And and that's what makes uhyou know the the the leadership
(36:46):
so important for for kids.
So how can can how can parentshow can you help them maintain
good communication with thedistrict and with the teachers?
I mean Yeah.
Dr. David Vannasdall (36:59):
I'll tell you uh what I start with is is
parents and schools are in apartnership.
And by nature, partnershipmeans you have to get to know
each other.
There has to be a relationship,and relationship comes through
talking, through meeting, andmeeting and talking when the
opportunities come up.
(37:20):
And sometimes those areuncomfortable things.
So when something you knowhappens in a classroom, the kid
comes home and reports it to themom or dad, and they want to,
and here's what happens more andmore today, but that's because
of society.
But we're trying to counterthat is people want to go
straight to the top, right?
So like I might get an emailfrom a parent that, you know,
(37:40):
this happened in my child'sclass today, I and and I want
you to fix it.
And it's like, I'm sitting inmy office at district, you know,
like I wasn't there, youweren't there as a parent.
You know, like let's you shouldalways there should be a
respectful way to deal withpeople.
And and these are for adults,lessons for adults too, right?
We go to the source.
(38:00):
So the first thing this parentsshould contact the teacher, can
we talk?
You know, here's what my mychild shared.
I want to hear about that andhow we could work together to
solve that.
And and you you talk throughit, right?
That's the first.
And then we have escalation,like you know, if they're if
you're not satisfied after thatas a parent, you can go to the
you know principal or theassistant principal and talk
(38:22):
about it.
But it should always start inabout 95% of issues are solved
if people will just go and havethe respect.
And it is uncomfortable, right?
You know, when you step intothat, like, oh, I want to bring
this up, and you know, but butwhen you solve it with the
teacher and the parent, not onlydid they just solve the issue
(38:44):
for the kid, but they now have abetter relationship moving
forward, right?
Because they they've they'vethey've worked together on
trust.
Christine Zito (38:51):
How are you gonna trust somebody if they
don't communicate?
Dr. David Vannasdall (38:53):
That is it's absolute trust, and there
has to be a trust there.
And so, you know, that's thenumber one thing I encourage
people is that you have to takethe time.
But people are so busy today,and society has gotten to this
point, like you know, during thepandemic, where you know uh
people aren't happy at they havea bad experience instead of
telling someone at therestaurant they go home and they
just slam them on social media.
(39:14):
It's like, yeah, did you have ayou know, did you give that
feedback?
Did you have a conversation?
So we're countering that, butwe have to because part of being
a healthy organization societyis we are humans have to talk to
each other.
Christine Zito (39:30):
I think people find it so much easier to yell
rather than to sit and talk.
Dr. David Vannasdall (39:35):
Or anonymous.
Yeah.
I get anonymous emails.
The problem with that is it'sjust like throwing a grenade in
a room.
Like, I can't do anything withthat because how do I follow up
with you?
How do I ask more questions?
Because yeah, I want to improveeverything.
I mean, any feedback I get, youknow, once I know it, I can't
unhear it.
I want to do that.
You're not personally.
You don't know everything, Dr.
David?
Uh so you know, it's I alwaystell people too, it's like, you
(39:59):
know, well, I'm afraid ofretribution or it's like we're
we don't have anonymous, we'repartners.
Christine Zito (40:03):
Yeah, right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (40:04):
Be part of the problem.
Christine Zito (40:05):
You know, and you have to be willing to
approach the situation, whetheryou're right or wrong.
And I, you know, when Iapproach something, I gotta be
ready to be corrected.
Maybe I was wrong in thesituation.
Oh, okay, I see.
Instead of going like, hey, youknow, you did this to my kid.
Dr. David Vannasdall (40:18):
Even if we disagree to people, there's
always nuggets that I learn.
Or it's not like holisticdisagree.
It's like, okay, I I Iunderstand your point.
I've walked away learning fromit.
So it's just so important thatwe continue to remember that
that we are in the peoplebusiness and we have to be
partners.
And so parents need to uh, youknow, just uh give that time
(40:41):
because it's for our kids.
Christine Zito (40:42):
And you're constantly around people of of
all ages.
I I I I so respect you, Dr.
David.
Okay, so for students, how doyou help them to um embrace the
benefits that you bring for ahigher education?
Like I'm pretty sure do youever have students come up to
you and ask you for advice andthings like that?
(41:03):
So I mean what do you do tostand as that inspiration?
Dr. David Vannasdall (41:09):
Yeah.
I you know, right now is is Imean, these our kids right now
have the greatest opportunitybecause the with technology, the
the exposure and and theability to find like colleges
and higher education institutesof all kinds all over the
country.
I mean, we used to produce asheet of where all of our
students, you know, went toafter graduation.
(41:31):
I mean, it might have been twopages, which was pretty lengthy,
but like over the last fiveyears, it's now like 20 pages.
Because kids now have accessto, you know, we have software
at our high school in the in thein the um counseling center
where they can go on and putlike what's the field they're
interested in.
Do they want to how far do theywant to live from home?
Do they want a big school, asmall school?
(41:53):
Like a million differentvariables.
And then it just produces likeall these colleges that people
have never heard of.
But we have great universitiesand colleges all over the
country, not just the few thateveryone always mentions.
Christine Zito (42:07):
Does anybody ever leave the country to go to
college?
Dr. David Vannasdall (42:09):
Oh, oh yeah.
Oh, we have a lot, we have alot too.
Yeah, that is.
But we now we we cover theUnited States, you know,
globally, people are going allover.
So when I tell people ourgraduates are truly becoming the
leaders of the world in thefuture, they really are.
Our TDI graduates are all overthe map.
And and that's a great thingbecause listen, if if they're
(42:30):
gonna be in leadershippositions, we're in good hands.
Christine Zito (42:33):
Oh my gosh, we are so out of time.
It is, you know what, what agreat conversation.
I just have to say thank you,Dr.
David, and to your staff forgiving our kids here in the in
the city of Arcadia anopportunity for the future.
And how you organize all ofthat is just pretty amazing.
I know we just touched thesurface.
(42:54):
So you are gonna come back anddo the best job in the world.
So um, you guys are in thefootball season right now,
right?
Dr. David Vannasdall (43:00):
We are, so follow us, you know, follow our
uh uh social media unifiedschool district and find out
about all the events going on.
Christine Zito (43:07):
Well, I'll have if there's any events that uh
Dr.
David or the staff gives me, Iwill put it on arcadiafyi.com so
that that they can always go tothat resource and find out more
what's going on in ourdistrict.
What a great interview! I thisis thank you so much for being
here.
And you are definitely comingback because there's so much we
have to talk about.
Once again, I'd like to thankour sponsors.
(43:29):
I do it every every show. LongoToyota and Lexus in El Monte.
And again, you gotta go bythere and check it out.
Seven Star Financial withFrancine Chu.
We didn't even talk about theedge of getting our students
ready for the financial aspectof education.
The Santa Anita Park and theLe Méridien hotel in Arcadia and
(43:51):
Pasadena.
Until next time, I'll bewaiting for your emails and your
Facebook messages.
Have a blessed day and make ita great week.
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