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 strategies, professional growth, and hope-filled inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Focus leadership on children, parents, and communities.
• Listen deeply—especially in politically charged climates.
• Real change starts with community collaboration and understanding.
• Small wins can lead to larger systemic shifts.
• Support and empower informal leaders in your team.
• Transparency builds trust during bold change.
• Hope isn’t a strategy—focus on doing the work well.
• Stay relentless in pursuing equity and innovation.
• Take quiet reflection time to lead with clarity.

🕒 Chapters

00:00 – Navigating Political and Social Challenges in Education

07:46 – Creative Strategies for Addressing Inequities

13:36 – Empowering Leaders at All Levels

17:09 – Engaging the Community for Student Success

20:23 – Balancing Boldness with Strategy in Leadership

27:22 – The Importance of Hope and Courage in Education

32:33 – Taking Risks for Positive Impact

36:37 – Personal Reflections and Leadership Strategies

🎧 Memorable Sound Bites

• “Hope is essential, but not a strategy.”
• “It’s about the kids.”
• “You have to be relentless in change.”

🔑 Keywords

leadership, education, equity, innovation, community engagement, risk-taking, school leadership, strategies, mentorship, professional development, teacher leadership, courageous leadership, K–12 education, educational change, superintendent insights, school transformation

👤 Guest

Dr. David Cash

Clinical Professor, University of Southern California Rossier School of Education (USC) | Retired Superintendent | Trial Lawyer

📧 Email: cashcounsel@gmail.com

🚌 On the School Bus with Dr. Spates

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:

1. The passionate school leaders who show up every day determined to improve student outcomes and transform TK–12 school experiences, and
2. 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.

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

📬 Connect with Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates

Website: KrishnaSpates.com

Email: hello@OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates.com

Instagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates

LinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.

📸 Production Studio

Recorded at 661 Creators Space — a creative studio dedicated to amplifying local voices through high-quality audio and visual production.

Website: 661CreatorsSpace.com

Instagram: @661CreatorsSpace

Email: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com

🎼 Music

Theme Song: “Call of Duty”

Artist: Mutanix

Instagram: @mutanixs

Email: mutanixmedia@gmail.com

Used with permission. All rights reserved.

💛 Support the Work

If this episode inspired you, please follow, rate, and share with another school leader. Our students, families, and communities are counting on us.

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 change.

We also explored the role of AI in education—how it can create tension, but also opportunity when approached with intentionality and a focus on learning. George reminded me that innovation isn’t about the tools we use, but about the mindset we bring and the relationships we build.

If you’re leading through change, resistance, or uncertainty, this episode will challenge you to reflect, listen, and lead in a way that moves your community forward while honoring relationships and staying grounded in what matters most—our students.

Episode Takeaways

• Ownership over buy-in leads to stronger, more sustainable change
• The best ideas in a school can come from anyone—leaders must create space for them
• AI should be introduced through experience and value, not mandates or fear
• Leadership starts with self-reflection—point at yourself first
• Inviting challenge builds trust and strengthens community
• Spend time developing those who are ready to grow—the 80/80 mindset
• Listening to even one voice can move an entire organization forward
• Growth requires courage—don’t get used to environments that limit your potential
• Celebrate your growth—clap for yourself and recognize progress

Practical Leadership Moves

• Replace “buy-in” with co-creation and ownership
• Invite dissent in the room, not in the parking lot
• Start AI conversations with concerns first, then possibilities
• Model learning—don’t mandate it
• Create systems that elevate all voices, not just the loudest
• Focus your energy on those ready to grow—they will influence others
• Be transparent when decisions are non-negotiable

🚌 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 George Couros

Website & Blog: https://georgecouros.com

Purchase the Books on Amazon

Blog Post On Becoming a Writer: hhttps://georgecouros.com/want-to-write-a-book-start-a-blog/

Email: georgecouros@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgecourosim/

The Innovators Mindset Podcast:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovators-mindset-podcast/id1155968930
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3UU0vQeUPnCEhZVUoZT76v
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-427776484

📬 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.

📸 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.

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 create environments where all students feel connected and included. Arby also breaks down common misconceptions about the Deaf community and shares how her classroom builds real-world communication through immersive learning experiences—including interpreting live performances.

This episode is a powerful reminder that when we center communication, access, and belonging, we open doors for students and communities in transformative ways.

Episode Takeaways

• Language access is foundational; many Deaf students are born to hearing parents and may not have early access to language
• ASL is a complete language with its own grammar and structure—not simply English translated into signs
• High-quality ASL programs include culture, history, and real-world application—not just vocabulary
• Immersive experiences like “Silent Weekend” allow students to truly live the language beyond the classroom
• Students build empathy and deeper connections when they can directly communicate across differences
• Schools must invest in interpreters, trained teachers, and inclusive practices to support Deaf and hard of hearing students
• ASL should be treated as a world language and career pathway—not just an elective

🚌 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 Arby Jean Wolkov

Go Fund Me (Silent Weekend): https://www.gofundme.com/f/silentweekend2026

Donor's Choose (Silent Weekend): https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/aslwithmstacub

Email: arbyjean.wolkov@lausd.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arby-jean-tacubw/

📬 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.

📸 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.

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 health, connection, and conversation.

Together, we discuss what young people are silently carrying, what parents and educators often miss, and how we can create environments where students feel safe enough to say, “I’m not okay.” This episode is both a wake-up call and a guide—filled with practical advice, hope, and a reminder that every child needs to know: they are enough.

Episode Takeaways

• Jacqueline shares how the loss of her son led her to create the You Are Enough Foundation to save lives
• Parents must look beyond behavior and start deeper conversations with their children
• Listening without judgment is one of the most powerful tools adults have
• Mental health support should be viewed as prevention, not just crisis response
• Students today are carrying anxiety, pressure, and uncertainty about their future
• Educators must lead with empathy and avoid labeling students
• Community partnerships with nonprofits can provide critical support for schools
• Starting a nonprofit requires heart, consistency, and the courage to “do it afraid”
• One conversation can change—and even save—a life
• 
  

If you are a school leader, educator, or community partner looking to bring this work to your students—this is an organization to connect with.

🚨 Resources Mentioned

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or text 988)
• Local Department of Mental Health services

🚌 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 Jacqueline Diaz-Fontana & The Foundation

Website: https://youareenoughfoundation.org

Email: info@youareenoughfoundation.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youareenoughfoundation

📸 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.

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 valued, seen, and supported.

The conversation dives into transparent parenting, avoiding comparison, and the importance of affirming children for who they are—not just what they achieve. Todd also challenges parents and educators to rethink how they support young people, especially those not “shining the brightest.”

With powerful metaphors—from chandeliers to slinkies to setbacks—Todd delivers a message rooted in purpose: we are not raising children, we are raising future adults.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, caregivers, and anyone committed to helping every child find their light.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Every child must be raised as an individual, not in comparison to others
• Affirm children for who they are, not just what they achieve
• Avoid projecting your own dreams onto your child’s journey
• Setbacks are opportunities to assess, adjust, and advance
• Parents must balance protection with preparation for independence
• Student-athletes should prioritize academics and life skills beyond sports
• Educators must focus on all students—not just the ones who shine the brightest
• True success is about becoming a whole, grounded human being

🚌 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 Todd Davis Senior

Email: thisiscoachtodd@gmail.com

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thisiscoachtodd

📸 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.

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 how those experiences shaped his unwavering commitment to ensuring students are not blamed for inequitable outcomes—and why leaders must instead redesign the systems that serve them.

We explore the bold work happening at Sacramento State, including initiatives like the Black Honors College, culturally responsive supports for students, and a strong focus on meeting students’ basic needs. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Wood reminds us that leadership rooted in love and accountability is not soft—it is strategic, courageous, and necessary.

This episode is a call to action for leaders to stay focused, lead with purpose, and build systems where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Dr. Luke Wood’s personal journey informs his leadership and commitment to equity

• Why systems—not students—must be the focus of change in education

• The vision and purpose behind Sacramento State’s Black Honors College

• How addressing students’ basic needs directly impacts academic success

• What it means to lead with both love and accountability in high-stakes environments

• Strategies for creating cultures of belonging at scale

• How leaders can remain grounded, focused, and resilient in challenging times

🎧 Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and welcome

01:14 – Early life experiences and commitment to equity

02:40 – Navigating foster care and systemic barriers

05:32 – The vision behind the Black Honors College

08:40 – Supporting Black students and Native communities

10:27 – Addressing student needs through basic support systems

12:14 – Leading through political and social challenges

14:36 – Shifting from fixing students to fixing systems

19:33 – Creating belonging and student-centered environments

23:24 – Leadership lessons rooted in purpose and focus

26:53 – Self-care, sustainability, and resilience

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Black Minds Matter Initiativehttps://blackmindsmatter.net/
• California State University Sacramento – Black Honors College: https://www.csus.edu/student-affairs/black-honors-college/
• California State University Sacramento – Basic Needs Center: https://www.csus.edu/student-life/health-counseling/basic-needs-resource-center/

🚌 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. Luke Wood

Website: https://www.csus.edu/president/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drlukewood

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukewood/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrLukeWood

Research: https://blackmindsmatter.net/

📸 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.

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 to transformational school leader serving students who have often been pushed out of traditional systems. At Reach Academy, a school serving expelled students, she stepped into an environment marked by crisis and instability and helped transform it into a space centered on trust, belonging, and accountability.

We talk about what happens when leaders refuse to code-switch and instead show up as their authentic selves. Kat explains how that authenticity helped her connect with students who had learned not to trust adults in schools.

She also shares practical strategies educators can implement immediately: community circles, daily check-ins, mental health partnerships, and empowering students to step into leadership roles within their school community.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that relationships are the foundation of real school transformation.

If you care about belonging, restorative practices, and leadership that meets students where they are, this episode is for you.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why authentic leadership builds trust with students who feel disconnected from school

• How restorative practices shift school culture from punishment to accountability

• The power of daily community circles and student voice

• Why mental health support must be integrated into school systems

• How empowering students can transform school culture

🎧 Keywords

education leadership, restorative practices, school transformation, student engagement, authentic leadership, student belonging, school culture, behavior intervention, alternative education, Kat Shaw, Howard Gardner Community School, student empowerment, teacher collaboration

🚌 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 Principal, Kat Shaw

Email: kshaw@hgcschool.org

Recommitted Counseling Founder: www.recommittedconsulting.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katshaw1227/

📸 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.