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On the School Bus with Dr. Spates

On the School Bus with Dr. Spates

De : Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates
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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.

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    Épisodes
    • Ep 15 | Principals: Step Back to Build Belonging and Allow Teams to Lead Schools Forward a Reflective Conversation with Dr. Franklin and Dr. Spates

      Ep 15 | Principals: Step Back to Build Belonging and Allow Teams to Lead Schools Forward a Reflective Conversation with Dr. Franklin and Dr. Spates
      Feb 23 2026

      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 leadership is not about working in isolation or making decisions behind closed doors. Instead, it is about creating structures where educators co-design programs, propose innovative courses, and share ownership of student success.

      This conversation is a powerful reminder that when teams feel seen, heard, and valued, the bar for excellence rises naturally—because everyone knows they belong to the work and to each other.


      ✨ Episode Takeaways

      • Dr. Spates emphasizes the importance of community and belonging in schools.
      • Building relationships with staff is crucial for effective leadership.
      • Data-driven decision-making is essential for school improvement.
      • Celebrating staff contributions fosters a positive school culture.
      • Listening to feedback from staff can lead to meaningful changes.
      • Creating opportunities for collaboration enhances team dynamics.
      • Recognizing student achievements is vital for motivation.
      • Emotional intelligence plays a key role in leadership success.
      • Engaging families in the school community strengthens support.
      • Personal experiences shape leadership philosophies and practices.


      💭 Sound Bites

      • "Everything matters in education."
      • "We all own the data now."
      • "We can't do the work on our own."

      🔑 Keywords

      leadership, education, community, belonging, student success, relationships, school improvement, emotional intelligence, teaching, principal


      🚌 About the Podcast

      So here we are. On the School Bus with Dr. Spates — a vehicle (a metaphorical school bus) for learning, growing, laughing, stretching our thinking, and being inspired together. This podcast is exclusively for two groups of people: the passionate school leaders who show up every day determined to improve student outcomes and transform TK–12 education, and the once-passionate leaders who just need a spark to find their way back.

      As the culture says: #WeAreNotForEverybody — and that’s perfectly fine with me.


      📬 Connect with Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates

      Website: ontheschoolbuswithdrspates.com

      Website: KrishnaSpates.com

      Email: hello@OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates.com

      Instagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates

      LinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.


      📬 Connect with Dr. Gregor Franklin

      USC Rossier Breakthrough Leadership Institute Summer Professional Learning:

      https://rossierprolearn.usc.edu/2026-bli-info/

      Website: USC Rossier School of Education Doctoral Program in Education Leadership

      Email: gfrankli@usc.edu


      📸 Production Studio

      Recorded at 661 Creators Space

      Website: 661CreatorsSpace.com

      Instagram: @661CreatorsSpace

      Email: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com


      🎼 Music

      Theme Song: “Call of Duty” — Mutanix

      Instagram: @mutanixs

      Email: mutanixmedia@gmail.com

      Used with permission.


      💛 Support the Work

      If this episode inspired you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share with another school leader. Watch the playlist on YouTube while you're multi-tasking: Listen here. Our students, families, and communities are counting on us.
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      22 min
    • Ep 14 | Policy Isn’t Just for Politicians: Lived Experience Is the Real Credential with TaVia Wooley

      Ep 14 | Policy Isn’t Just for Politicians: Lived Experience Is the Real Credential with TaVia Wooley
      Feb 16 2026
      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 the autism spectrum to advocating after the loss of her son, she transformed personal pain into policy literacy and leadership development for families.Through the Leadership & Policy Academy for Parents, AIM (African American Infant & Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative), and the 661 Creators Space, TaVia is building the collective capacity of the Antelope Valley community to engage in and create meaningful policy initiatives.This episode challenges educators to move beyond “family engagement” and toward shared ownership, humility, and she drops a creative-bomb: compensate parent expertise.If you believe policy shouldn’t happen to you — this episode is for you.✨ Episode TakeawaysLived experience is more important than degrees.Empowerment comes from understanding and addressing root causes.Advocacy should be informed by personal experiences.Creating safe spaces fosters open dialogue.Self-care is essential for effective advocacy.Community engagement requires valuing parents' voices.Policy should be shaped by those affected by it.Podcasting can amplify marginalized voices.Building relationships is key to successful advocacy.Compensating community members for their expertise is vital.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tavia Woolley and Empower Them Collective06:02 Lived Experiences and Leadership11:48 Empower Them Collective's Mission and Impact17:20 Advocacy Skills for Parents and Caregivers24:02 Navigating School Systems and Policy Literacy29:59 The Role of Podcasting in Community Engagement35:53 Concrete Actions for Educators to Partner with Families41:25 Self-Care and Personal Reflections47:40 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations🎧 Sound Bites"We need to ask the right questions.""We need to shift the narrative.""More is caught than taught."🔑 KeywordsTavia Woolley, Empower Them Collective, lived experience, advocacy, community engagement, education, podcasting, self-care, leadership, policy change🚌 About the PodcastSo here we are. On the School Bus with Dr. Spates — a vehicle (a metaphorical school bus) for learning, growing, laughing, stretching our thinking, and being inspired together. This podcast is exclusively for two groups of people: the passionate school leaders who show up every day determined to improve student outcomes and transform TK–12 education, and the once-passionate leaders who just need a spark to find their way back.As the culture says: #WeAreNotForEverybody — and that’s perfectly fine with me.📬 Connect with Dr. Krishna Darlene SpatesWebsite: ontheschoolbuswithdrspates.comWebsite: KrishnaSpates.comEmail: hello@OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates.comInstagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpatesLinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.📬 Connect with TaVia WooleyWebsite: Empower Them CollectiveWebsite: JustTavia.comEmail: tavia@justtavia.comPodcast Studio: 661 Creators SpaceInstagram: @661CreatorsSpaceEmail: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com📸 Production StudioRecorded at 661 Creators SpaceWebsite: 661CreatorsSpace.comInstagram: @661CreatorsSpaceEmail: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com🎼 MusicTheme Song: “Call of Duty” — MutanixInstagram: @mutanixsEmail: mutanixmedia@gmail.comUsed with permission.💛 Support the WorkIf this episode inspired you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share with another school leader. Watch the playlist on YouTube while you're multi-tasking: Listen here. Our students, families, and communities are counting on us.
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      1 h et 18 min
    • Ep 13 | Masterclass: Creating High School Culture from the Ground Up with Dr. Kathya Arriaran-Buono

      Ep 13 | Masterclass: Creating High School Culture from the Ground Up with Dr. Kathya Arriaran-Buono
      Feb 9 2026
      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 staff retreats, to expanding AP access, boosting graduation rates and modelling self‑care as a working mom, this conversation is loaded with practical wisdom for leaders at every level. Dr. Buono offers advice on navigating skepticism, creating joy‑filled traditions like “Peep Wars,” and ensuring families feel seen in a competitive educational landscape. Tune in for a master class on building culture, sustaining outcomes and leading with love.✨ What You’ll Learn (Episode Takeaways)How to hire for culture by asking candidates what support they need from leadershipWhy servant leadership, restorative practices and data‑driven decisions are Dr. Buono’s non‑negotiablesThe power of annual retreats and restorative circles to foster belonging and accountabilityCreative strategies like “Lunch Bunch” that keep seniors on track to graduateHow open access to AP courses, including an AP African‑American Studies pathway, builds equityWhy silly traditions (like Peep Wars) can strengthen staff cultureHow to empower assistant principals through shared responsibility and leadership developmentPractical advice for aspiring leaders: lead outside your classroom and anchor yourself in purposeWhy “love the kids” is both simple and challenging—and why joy is a leadership strategyTips for balancing school leadership with motherhood and self‑care⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Meet Dr. Buono: Servant leader, restorative practitioner and data‑driven principal introduces herself and her “why.”02:30 – Hiring for Culture: The interview question that reveals mindset and why heart can’t be coached.05:00 – Learner Profile & Retreat: Defining the profile of a graduate and the role of themed retreats in building culture.08:30 – Restorative Practices: How restorative circles work, with examples of powerful prompts.11:00 – AP Access & Student Outcomes: From AP Silver School to plans for AP African‑American Studies and high college‑and‑career readiness.17:00 – Graduation & Interventions: Using “Lunch Bunch” and catered meals to prevent senioritis and boost A–G completion.21:00 – Enrollment Growth: Being a school of choice in a competitive district and serving families as clients.24:00 – Founding Principal Lessons: Challenges of launching a high school during COVID and the roller coaster of “firsts.”27:30 – Strengthening Culture in 90 Days: Peep Wars, potlucks and treating adults like professionals.31:00 – Leadership Development: Dividing work among APs, empowering them to lead MTSS and culture initiatives.34:00 – Love, Joy & Self‑Care: Anchoring leadership in love, finding joy as resistance, and balancing motherhood.38:00 – Career Advice: Why teachers should lead PD, mentor others and step into committees before moving into administration.🎧 Sound Bites“Our students choose us every single day.” – Dr. Buono on leading a school of choice“You can't teach heart; you can coach content, but not mindset.” – Dr. Buono on hiring for culture“Love the kids. They know when you care and when you don't.” – Dr. Buono on the core of leadership🔑 Keywordsschool culture, charter high school, servant leadership, restorative practices, data‑driven decision‑making, AP access, equity, student success, school choice, staff retreats, leadership development, teacher mentorship, student belonging, joy in leadership, self‑care🚌 About the PodcastSo here we are. On the School Bus with Dr. Spates — a vehicle (a metaphorical school bus) for learning, growing, laughing, stretching our thinking, and being inspired together. This podcast is exclusively for two groups of people: the passionate school leaders who show up every day determined to improve student outcomes and transform TK–12 education, and the once-passionate leaders who just need a spark to find their way back.As the culture says: #WeAreNotForEverybody — and that’s perfectly fine with me.📬 Connect with Dr. Krishna Darlene SpatesWebsite: ontheschoolbuswithdrspates.comWebsite: KrishnaSpates.comEmail: hello@OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates.comInstagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpatesLinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.📬 Connect with Dr. Kathya Arriaran-BuonoPalmdale Academy Charter High SchoolEmail: Kathyaarriaran@gmail.com📸 Production StudioRecorded at 661 Creators SpaceWebsite: 661CreatorsSpace.comInstagram: @661CreatorsSpaceEmail: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com🎼 MusicTheme Song: “Call of Duty” — ...
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      43 min
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