"It is an honor that I get to serve and support a school community as their Principal. I am especially proud to currently serve as the Proud Principal of Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy in Palmdale, California, a vibrant school community."

A seasoned educational leader, Dr. Spates brings over 17 years of experience as a veteran Teacher and more than five years as an administrator. She remains relentless in her commitment to dismantle the predictive power of demographics by working collaboratively with educators, community stakeholders, policy makers, students, and their caregivers to ignite, sustain, and elevate students' intellectual curiosity.

Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Dr. Spates is dedicated to launching accomplished, resilient, confident student leaders who, regardless of gender, cultural background, language proficiency, socioeconomic status, or educational designation—be it special education, GATE, foster youth, alternative education, or “below basic”—are empowered to reach and exceed their perceived potential.

Citing LaSalle and Johnson (2019), she acknowledges that “every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.” With this in mind, Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates believes educational leaders must focus on the right work to disrupt patterns of inequity and improve outcomes for all learners. Through her leadership, she works to build school cultures centered upon care, high expectations, collaborative and continuous cycles of inquiry, data-driven decision-making, instructional precision, and a commitment to equity.

She understands that history cannot be changed—but that educators have the power to chart a new future that does not mirror the past. That future begins with doing what is right for all students.

Above all, Dr. Spates recognizes that true and transformational change is never accomplished in isolation. Guided by the principles of resonant leadership, as described by McKee et al. (2006), she strives to mobilize energy in others—drawing on hope, vision, meaning, and purpose to inspire progress. She embraces the challenge of speaking to the hearts of those she leads, unlocking their talents, supporting their growth, and building resilience as they work collectively to close equity gaps and improve student experiences and outcomes.

Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates not only welcomes the opportunity to engage in this work—she finds deep joy and purpose in it. With courage and conviction, she continues to lead because every student, and every adult who supports them, is worth it.