On the School Bus with Dr. Spates

<h3>24 Conversations Later: What This Season Taught Me About Leadership</h3><p><br></p><p>Monday was my last day on calendar for the school year. A few days later, my family and I headed to Lake Arrowhead for some much-needed rest and reflection. If you know me, you know I love being outside. There is something about… Read more

<p>In this engaging conversation, <strong>Dr. David Cash</strong> shares his insights on <strong>effective school leadership</strong>, <strong>community engagement</strong>, and the <strong>relentless pursuit of equity</strong> in schools. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Cash explores how leaders can create… Read more

<p>In Episode 23 of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, 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.</p><p>This conversation pushed my thinking as a leader. We talked about how shifting from “buy-in” to true… Read more

<p>In Episode 22 of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, I sit down with <strong>Arby Jean Wolkov</strong>, 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… Read more

<p>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.</p><p>After losing her son Eric to suicide, Jacqueline made… Read more

<p>In this powerful episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, 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.</p><p>Todd shares deeply personal insights about raising two… Read more

<p>In this powerful episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, 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.</p><p>Dr. Wood takes us on a journey through his… Read more

<p>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… Read more

<p><span>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,… Read more

<p>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.</p><p>Nicholas shares how his journey into physical… Read more

<p>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… Read more

<p>In this powerful episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, I sit down with <strong>TaVia Wooley</strong>, founder and Executive Director of <strong>Empower Them Collective</strong>, for a masterclass in advocacy, humility, and shared power.</p><p>TaVia shares how her lived experience — as a mother,… Read more

<p>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,… Read more

<p>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… Read more

<p>In this episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, 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.</p><p>Dr. Montes reflects on the intentional work that led to the… Read more

<p>In this powerful episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, 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.</p><p>From navigating a challenging childhood to serving as a high school… Read more

<p>In this episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, <strong>Jazmine Morales Rodriguez</strong> 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… Read more

<p>In this episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, 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… Read more

<p>In this episode of <strong>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</strong>, 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… Read more

<p>In this episode of <strong>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</strong>, the mic flips — <em>three aspiring teachers</em> interview Dr. Spates about what it actually takes to build an MTSS system that works in real classrooms.</p><p>From <strong>relationships</strong> to <strong>data</strong>, from <strong>teacher… Read more

<p>In Episode 5 of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, 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… Read more

<p><strong>Episode Description</strong></p><p>In this episode Dr. Spates sits down with Ebony Wilson, MSW, LCSW, PPSC — founder and CEO of Ebony’s Safe Space. Based in Palmdale, California, her organization’s mission is to support and empower groups and communities through relatable mental health and… Read more

<p>In this insightful conversation, <strong>Matthew Winheim</strong> explores how educators can innovate to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. From designing <strong>career-connected learning</strong> to strengthening <strong>AVID</strong> programs, he emphasizes the power of relevance, strong… Read more

<p>In this episode of <em>On the School Bus with Dr. Spates</em>, turnaround principal <strong>Dr. Timothy Howell</strong> shares how authentic school leadership and relationship-building can transform entire school communities. He raises the questions: Teach or Suspend?</p><p>Dr. Howell opens up about <strong>leading… Read more

<p>In this engaging conversation, <strong>Dr. David Cash</strong> shares his insights on <strong>effective school leadership</strong>, <strong>community engagement</strong>, and the <strong>relentless pursuit of equity</strong> in schools. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Cash explores how leaders can create… Read more

<p>Hello Colleagues!<strong> I have a huge announcement to share with you, probably one of the most exciting announcements of my career. </strong> Ahhhh, here we go. Are you ready? <strong>I'm launching a podcast: On the School Bus with Dr. Spates.</strong> </p><p> The podcast may “bomb” but I am going for it anyway… Read more