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.
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
Follow Zandra on: LinkedIn
If education ain’t a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?
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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
