Leading with Heart: How Dr. Zandra Jo Galván Creates Thriving School Communities Dr. Zandra Jo Galván on Leading with Purpose and Building Resilient Schools

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: From humble beginnings in Greenfield to becoming an award-winning superintendent, Dr. Galván shares powerful insights on leading with empathy, building authentic relationships, and preparing students for an AI-driven future. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Zandra Jo Galván serves as Superintendent of Salinas UHSD, is CALSA Immediate Past President (California Assoc Latinx Sups & Admin), was named ALAS National Superintendent of the Year 2023-2024, and recognized as a Top 100 National Influencer for District Administration 2024. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Galván challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Authentic Leadership Transforms School Culture What's broken: Traditional hierarchical leadership creating barriers between administrators and staff The shift: Leading with vulnerability, genuine presence, and intentional relationship-building Impact: Staff feel valued, seen, and supported, leading to stronger engagement and better student outcomes Key Insight #2: Wellness Must Be Systemic What's broken: Stigma around self-care and mental health in education The shift: Implementing district-wide wellness initiatives including mental health days, beach cruiser bikes, and blender bikes Impact: Created a culture where taking care of oneself is celebrated and supported Key Insight #3: Future-Ready Education Requires Innovation What's broken: Preparing students for jobs that won't exist The shift: Embracing AI, creating innovative pathways, and focusing on future skills Impact: Students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and are better prepared for emerging careers Quotable Ruckus "I'm a very authentic person and vulnerable, and I'm okay with that. And a title is not going to change who I am for the virtue of position." – Dr. Zandra Jo Galván Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Start your day in classrooms, connecting with students and teachers This Month: Implement one wellness initiative for your staff This Semester: Identify future-ready skills and begin planning innovative pathways Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Zandra on LinkedIn 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join      Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.     Today’s RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more: www.questfms.com IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders     Twelve Practices LLC © 2024| If Education Ain’t a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?