In this episode of Transform. Grow. Succeed. I have the chance to sit with two leaders whose work has completely changed how I think about what schools can be for young people in our communities.
Dr. Katie Kuhn is the principal of Safford K-8 in downtown Tucson, a school that moved from an F rating to a B in just a few years. When Katie arrived, Safford was struggling with academics, behavior, and school climate. Early in her tenure, I had the privilege of working with her team to design and implement their PBIS framework, built around the values “Be kind, be honest, be yourself, and be a community member.” Years later, that same framework is still in place and is very much something the staff and students live out loud in every part of school life. Today, Safford is a thriving community school where families, neighborhood organizations, churches, and local partners see the campus as a true hub for support. From a resource center that offers food, clothing, and laundry detergent, to community volunteers teaching chess and leading the Fix It Program, Safford is a powerful example of what happens when a school stops trying to operate in isolation.
Joining Katie is Elizabeth Slater, CEO of Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a nonprofit with one clear mission: help youth experiencing homelessness stay in school, graduate from high school, and plan for what comes next. YOTO partners with more than 100 schools across Pima County and offers an educational stipend tied to school attendance, along with basic needs like food, hygiene supplies, school supplies, and caring adult guidance. The results are remarkable. While the statewide graduation rate for youth experiencing homelessness in Arizona is about 52 percent, students in YOTO’s program graduate at rates in the high 80s to low 90s.
Together, Katie and Elizabeth explore what happens when a school leans into doing as much as it can for its community, and a nonprofit stays relentlessly focused on doing one thing well. They talk about attendance as the common thread, the power of clear missions and strong data, and why boundaries are not a limitation but a gift that protects both staff and students. They also share honest reflections on sustainability, burnout, and why no one in a caring profession can or should try to carry everything alone.
If you are a school or district leader, a community partner, or anyone who works in a caring profession, this conversation offers real stories, real numbers, and practical hope.