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 reinforces the podcast’s purpose: elevating what’s working in schools, amplifying educator voices, and giving leaders practical, field-tested strategies they can bring back to their learning communities. If you’re committed to improving student outcomes and building thriving school cultures, this one is for you.

What You’ll Learn (Takeaways)

– Why educator collaboration is essential for student success

– How strong relationships drive engagement and learning

– The importance of transparency about what’s actually working in schools

– How personal experiences shape leadership decisions

– Why creativity and bold thinking are essential in today’s educational landscape

– The critical role of community and family engagement

– Why declining student performance requires urgent, innovative responses

– How this podcast serves as a platform for educator support and inspiration

Featured Topics

• Student success

• Innovative school practices

• Leadership in education

• Community engagement

• Teaching strategies

• Collaboration & educator support

• School culture and climate

Sound Bites

"I hope to tap into each guest's zone of genius."

"I believe there are levels to know."

"We cannot do this work alone. We need one another."

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Today’s Conversation

02:53 — The Mission of Educators

06:13 — Personal Background & Educational Philosophy

08:56 — Challenges in Education & Community Engagement

10:48 — A Call to Action for Educators

Keywords

education, school leadership, TK–12, teaching strategies, instructional leadership, student success, community engagement, educator support, collaboration, innovation in schools, school culture, principal podcast