On the School Bus with Dr. Spates
Welcome to the school leadership podcast dedicated to advancing creativity and innovation in education. No matter the seat you lead from, this podcast is your vehicle for creative ideas, bold school leadership, and field-tested strategies that work where it counts—in schools. WARNING ⚠️ This podcast is exclusively for two groups of people: the passionate school leaders who show up every day with a relentless focus on improving student outcomes and transforming students’ TK-12 school experiences and the once-passionate leaders who may have lost a bit of their spark and just need a dose of inspiration to find their way back. Each week, we invite innovators in education from across the country, doing the real work in schools to hop on the school bus with me -- Dr. Spates, the Proud Principal of a vibrant Los Angeles County Middle School Community. Together, we uncover what’s really working in schools—tapping into each guest’s “zone of genius” to give you one practical, school-tested strategy you can bring back to your learning community. Because our children, families, and communities are counting on us to lead with urgency, care, and purpose. Let’s reimagine what’s possible in education, together —one ride at a time.
Episodes
In this engaging conversation, Dr. David Cash shares his insights on effective school leadership, community engagement, and the relentless pursuit of equity in schools. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Cash explores how leaders can create lasting change by listening deeply, building trust, and taking bold, strategic risks that put students, families, and communities first.
If you’re a TK–12 school leader seeking authentic strat...
In Episode 23 of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, I had the opportunity to sit down with George Couros to talk about what it really means to move from conflict to community in today’s schools.
This conversation pushed my thinking as a leader. We talked about how shifting from “buy-in” to true ownership can transform a school community, and how creating space for people to contribute their ideas leads to stronger, more sustainable ...
In Episode 22 of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, I sit down with Arby Jean Wolkov, an American Sign Language teacher and one of California’s 2025 Teachers of the Year. Arby shares her journey from being an English language learner to becoming a statewide leader in Deaf education.
We explore what high-quality ASL instruction looks like, why language access is critical for Deaf and hard of hearing students, and how schools can crea...
In this powerful and deeply human conversation, I sit down with Jacqueline A. Diaz-Fontana, founder of the Erick A. Garcia You Are Enough Foundation, to explore how personal tragedy can transform into purpose that impacts entire communities and save lives.
After losing her son Eric to suicide, Jacqueline made the courageous decision to share her story—not only to heal, but to help other families recognize the importance of mental he...
In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Spates sits down with Todd Davis Sr.—father of a Super Bowl champion and a dynamic motivational speaker—to explore what it truly means to raise resilient, purpose-driven children.
Todd shares deeply personal insights about raising two children with different paths—his son, Todd Davis, and his daughter, whom he calls his “princessy”—while ensuring both felt equally va...
In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, I sit down with Dr. Luke Wood, President of California State University Sacramento, for a deeply personal and purpose-driven conversation about leadership, equity, and systems transformation.
Dr. Wood takes us on a journey through his lived experiences—from navigating foster care and systemic barriers to becoming a national voice in higher education leadership. He shares...
In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Spates sits down with Allyson (Wright) Taylor, educator and program specialist with the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Allyson shares her deeply personal story and her mission to help educators reimagine schools as places where marginalized students do more than survive—they experience belonging, brilliance, and joy.
Drawing from her own life journey, includ...
In this episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, I sit down with Kat Shaw, widely known as The Tatted Principal and Executive Director of Howard Gardner Community School. Kat brings more than two decades of experience in education and a leadership style grounded in authenticity, restorative practices, and deep belief in the potential of every student.
Kat shares her remarkable journey from instructional aide ...
In this energizing episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, I sit down with California Teacher of the Year Nicholas Westfall, a passionate and innovative physical educator who is redefining what physical education can look and feel like for students.
Nicholas shares how his journey into physical education began at just 13 years old, inspired by his father’s advice, and how that calling eventually led him to statewide recognitio...
In this reflective end of the year closing conversation, Dr. Spates and Dr. Franklin explore what it truly means to lead schools as collaborative communities rather than hierarchical organizations. From designing the master schedule as a whole-school effort to building authentic trust with teams, this episode highlights how inclusive leadership practices strengthen both systems and relationships.
Dr. Spates emphasizes that effective...
Ep 14 | Policy Isn’t Just for Politicians: Lived Experience Is the Real Credential with TaVia Wooley
In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, I sit down with TaVia Wooley, founder and Executive Director of Empower Them Collective, for a masterclass in advocacy, humility, and shared power.
TaVia shares how her lived experience — as a mother, social worker, medical advocate, and community leader — shaped her belief that lived experience is more important than degrees. From navigating systems for her brother on t...
In this inspiring episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Spates welcomes Dr. Kathya Arriaran-Buono, founding principal of Palmdale Academy Charter School in Palmdale, California. Dr. Buono shares how she built a high‑performing school‑of‑choice culture—during a pandemic—by centering servant leadership, restorative practices and data‑driven decision‑making. From hiring for heart over content knowledge and designing annual...
In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Spates sits down with Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco, a respected equity leader and advocate for inclusive educational systems. Dr. Brent-Sanco shares her lived experiences advancing equity through community partnerships, data-driven decision-making, and intentional leadership practices.
She discusses the founding and impact of the Unity Women's Professional Networking...
In this episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Carlos Montes shares his powerful journey in education as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, and now a system-level leader supporting 20 schools across East Los Angeles.
Dr. Montes reflects on the intentional work that led to the transformation of Jordan High School, highlighting the central role of creating restorative culture , high expectations, authentic relations...
In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. J.R. Rucker hops on the bus to share a deeply personal and purpose-driven leadership journey—one shaped by adversity, restored by education, and fueled by hope.
From navigating a challenging childhood to serving as a high school principal, Dr. Rucker describes himself as a “hope dealer”—a leader committed to giving students what he did not always receive: belief, adv...
In this episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Jazmine Morales Rodriguez takes a seat on the bus to share her powerful journey as an educator and equity-centered leader. She reflects on her educational pathway, including the financial and systemic barriers she navigated, and how those experiences shaped her commitment to student advocacy and inclusion.
Jazmine underscores the importance of seeing students holistically and bui...
In this episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Principal and Coach Fred Gatlin hops on the bus to share his powerful journey as an educator, principal, coach, and author. Grounded in empathy and shaped by lived experience, Coach Gatlin reflects on what it truly means to lead schools that honor students’ time, humanity, and potential.
The conversation explores how relevant, relationship-centered leadership can transform school...
In this episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Greg Franklin shares insights from his extensive career in education and leadership, offering practical strategies for fostering creativity and innovation among teachers while building school cultures rooted in equity and collaboration.
Dr. Franklin emphasizes the importance of clear vision, consistent communication, and investing in people over programs. He challenges school...
In this episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, the mic flips — three aspiring teachers interview Dr. Spates about what it actually takes to build an MTSS system that works in real classrooms.
From relationships to data, from teacher collaboration to differentiation, this conversation breaks MTSS and RTI down in a way that’s real, practical, and grounded in care. Dr. Spates shares strategies educators can use tomorrow to suppo...
In Episode 5 of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, we take a reflective ride into the heart of why this podcast exists. Dr. Spates opens up about her mission to spotlight innovation, bold leadership, and creative strategies that truly move the needle for students. She shares her personal journey in education, what keeps her committed to serving communities, and the pressing challenges educators are navigating today.
This episode rei...
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