Aligned Outcomes Boost Morale and Retention
How do schools strengthen staff culture while retaining top talent? At Vista Charter, we’ve built alignment through annual retreats for our board, leadership team, and entire staff. Anchored in the practices of Way of Council, Global Competence, and our Portrait of a Graduate, this 3-day staff retreat, paired with ongoing professional development, cultivates cohesion, clarity, and commitment. This session, will include structures, strategies, and values-based practices that have elevated morale and retention across our organization—and explore how your school can adapt these strategies for lasting impact.
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Assistant Superintendent
Vista Charter Public Schools
Karen Amaya serves as Assistant Superintendent at Vista Charter Public Schools, bringing over twenty years of charter school experience. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to ensuring historically underserved students receive equitable access to high-quality learning environments. Under her leadership, Vista Charter demonstrated measurable academic growth, including an 11% increase in math and an 8% increase in ELA achievement within a single year. She is dedicated to the development of data driven school cultures where educators are supported in implementing instructional practices that empower students to feel seen and valued so they thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Director of Instruction
Vista Charter Public Schools
Mara has 25+ years of experience teaching and learning. Her career has been centered in schools in underprivileged communities and served as a teacher/ founder/ leader and director of several secondary schools in Los Angeles.She spent 5 years revitalizing a teacher training program in Oxford, UK. Afterwards worked to transform a k12 school in Nigeria and grow it globally. Now she is loving serving Vista Charter PS working across the system to elevate student outcomes. She has a keen interest in school structure and design and studied the levers to improve student achievement within a school setting.
