Ep 12 | You Are Not Obligated to Set Yourself on Fire to Keep Others Warm: Leading with Purpose, Equity & Data with Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco
In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Spates sits down with Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco, a respected equity leader and advocate for inclusive educational systems. Dr. Brent-Sanco shares her lived experiences advancing equity through community partnerships, data-driven decision-making, and intentional leadership practices.
She discusses the founding and impact of the Unity Women's Professional Networking Organization, highlighting the importance of mentorship, collective support, and professional spaces specifically designed for African-American women educators. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Brent-Sanco emphasizes discernment in leadership, anchoring oneself in purpose, and finding joy as an act of resistance and sustainability in challenging times.
This episode is a must-listen for school leaders, educators, and anyone committed to fostering belonging, advancing equity, and supporting the whole educator.
✨ What You’ll Learn (Episode Takeaways)
- Community support is essential for sustainable equity initiatives.
- Unity Women’s Professional Networking Organization creates space for growth, connection, and leadership among African-American women educators.
- Data-driven decisions help leaders navigate skepticism and resistance around equity work.
- Embedding equity into policy requires intentional alignment with fiscal and organizational priorities.
- Innovative programs, such as Leadership Academies, can transform student outcomes and narratives.
- Effective leadership centers belonging, care, and high expectations for all students.
- Women of color in leadership benefit from anchoring themselves in purpose and building diverse support circles.
- Discernment is critical when navigating political climates and organizational dynamics.
- Joy is a leadership strategy that sustains hope and resilience.
- Self-care is not optional—it is essential for educator well-being and effectiveness.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco
02:47 – Unity Women’s Professional Networking Organization
05:34 – Building Community Support for Equity Initiatives
10:39 – Navigating Skepticism in Equity Work
14:07 – Embedding Equity in Policy and Practice
18:58 – Innovative Programs for Student Support
24:19 – The Role of Leadership in Education
28:27 – Advice for Women of Color in Leadership
35:22 – The Importance of Discernment in Leadership
39:35 – Finding Joy and Hope in Education
49:42 – Consulting Services and Self-Care Practices
🎧 Sound Bites
- “Data doesn’t lie.”
- “Finding joy brings hope.”
- “We want to transform environments.”
🔑 Keywords
education, equity, leadership, community support, women in leadership, mentorship, student success, professional development, diversity, inclusion
🚌 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. Patricia Brent-Sanco
The Lighthouse Educational Consulting Group - https://www.thelighthouseconsulting.com/
Email: pbsanco@yahoo.com
Unity: https://www.unityumoja.org
E-Book: Then and Now Understanding and Addressing White Supremacy by
Dr. Patricia Brent Sanco & Dr. Veronica Bloomfield
Purchase E-book: here
LinkedIn: Patricia Brent-Sanco, EdD.
📸 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.
