Masterclass: Building High School Culture from the Ground Up with Dr. Kathya Arriaran-Buono

Описание: In this inspiring episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Spates welcomes Dr. Kathya Arriaran-Buono, founding principal of Palmdale Academy Charter School in Palmdale, California. Dr. Buono shares how she built a high‑performing school‑of‑choice culture—during a pandemic—by centering servant leadership, restorative practices and data‑driven decision‑making. From hiring for heart over content knowledge and designing annual staff retreats, to expanding AP access, boosting graduation rates and modelling self‑care as a working mom, this conversation is loaded with practical wisdom for leaders at every level. Dr. Buono offers advice on navigating skepticism, creating joy‑filled traditions like “Peep Wars,” and ensuring families feel seen in a competitive educational landscape. Tune in for a master class on building culture, sustaining outcomes and leading with love.

✨ What You’ll Learn (Episode Takeaways)
How to hire for culture by asking candidates what support they need from leadership
Why servant leadership, restorative practices and data‑driven decisions are Dr. Buono’s non‑negotiables
The power of annual retreats and restorative circles to foster belonging and accountability
Creative strategies like “Lunch Bunch” that keep seniors on track to graduate
How open access to AP courses, including an AP African‑American Studies pathway, builds equity
Why silly traditions (like Peep Wars) can strengthen staff culture
How to empower assistant principals through shared responsibility and leadership development
Practical advice for aspiring leaders: lead outside your classroom and anchor yourself in purpose
Why “love the kids” is both simple and challenging—and why joy is a leadership strategy
Tips for balancing school leadership with motherhood and self‑care


⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Meet Dr. Buono: Servant leader, restorative practitioner and data‑driven principal introduces herself and her “why.”
02:30 – Hiring for Culture: The interview question that reveals mindset and why heart can’t be coached.
05:00 – Learner Profile & Retreat: Defining the profile of a graduate and the role of themed retreats in building culture.
08:30 – Restorative Practices: How restorative circles work, with examples of powerful prompts.
11:00 – AP Access & Student Outcomes: From AP Silver School to plans for AP African‑American Studies and high college‑and‑career readiness.
17:00 – Graduation & Interventions: Using “Lunch Bunch” and catered meals to prevent senioritis and boost A–G completion.
21:00 – Enrollment Growth: Being a school of choice in a competitive district and serving families as clients.
24:00 – Founding Principal Lessons: Challenges of launching a high school during COVID and the roller coaster of “firsts.”
27:30 – Strengthening Culture in 90 Days: Peep Wars, potlucks and treating adults like professionals.
31:00 – Leadership Development: Dividing work among APs, empowering them to lead MTSS and culture initiatives.
34:00 – Love, Joy & Self‑Care: Anchoring leadership in love, finding joy as resistance, and balancing motherhood.
38:00 – Career Advice: Why teachers should lead PD, mentor others and step into committees before moving into administration.

🎧 Sound Bites
“Our students choose us every single day.” – Dr. Buono on leading a school of choice
“You can't teach heart; you can coach content, but not mindset.” – Dr. Buono on hiring for culture
“Love the kids. They know when you care and when you don't.” – Dr. Buono on the core of leadership

🚌 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: [email protected]
Instagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates
LinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.

📬 Connect with Dr. Dr. Kathya Arriaran-Buono
Palmdale Academy Charter High School
Email: [email protected]

📸 Production Studio
Recorded at 661 Creators Space
Website: 661CreatorsSpace.com
Instagram: @661CreatorsSpace
Email: [email protected]

🎼 Music
Theme Song: “Call of Duty” — Mutanix
Instagram: @mutanixs
Email: [email protected]
Used with permission.

💛 Support the Work
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