EPISODE · Jan 14, 2026 · 30 MIN
S.4 | Ep. 26: Restorative Discipline and Community Partnership with Principal Donnell Mayberry
from Unlock 360 · host Wendy York Davoud
In the last episode of Unlock 360 Season 4, Principal Donnell Mayberry of Challenger Middle School in Lancaster, California, joins host Wendy York Davoud to share how he is transforming a historically punitive campus into a restorative, relationship-centered learning community. Drawing on years of experience with restorative justice in Oakland alternative schools, Donnell explains how “reset and accept” guides his approach to discipline, culture, and academics.He walks through the concrete system shifts at Challenger, including block scheduling, single-subject teaching, higher GPA expectations, and intentional family engagement. Throughout, he emphasizes that real change requires listening to students, partnering with parents, and holding everyone to a shared standard of love and accountability.Key Moments00:00 Welcome and introduction to Principal Donnell Mayberry00:42 Donnell’s journey from Arizona to Oakland to Lancaster02:04 What restorative practices really mean in schools06:29 Bringing restorative practices to Challenger Middle School10:01 Building teacher capacity and tiered support for students13:10 The power of positive phone calls and repairing harm16:21 Shifting language away from punishment and toward reflection19:16 Raising expectations, GPA standards, and family accountability21:02 Supporting multilingual learners and equity across groups22:29 Collaboration, PD, and growing staff buy-in24:41 Four-year vision to restore academics and school culture27:25 Spreading restorative work across the districtWhy You Will Love This EpisodeYou will hear a candid, practical look at what it takes to move a middle school away from suspension-first thinking and toward restorative discipline, stronger relationships, and higher academic expectations. Donnell shares specific strategies, honest challenges, and real wins that leaders can adapt to their own campuses.Connect with Donnell MayberryEmail: [email protected] Website: https://cms.wilsonasd.net/en-USFollow UsWendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryorkLead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.comLead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/About Unlock 360°Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.We’ll be joining you in Season 5.
What this episode covers
In the last episode of Unlock 360 Season 4, Principal Donnell Mayberry of Challenger Middle School in Lancaster, California, joins host Wendy York Davoud to share how he is transforming a historically punitive campus into a restorative, relationship-centered learning community. Drawing on years of experience with restorative justice in Oakland alternative schools, Donnell explains how “reset and accept” guides his approach to discipline, culture, and academics.He walks through the concrete system shifts at Challenger, including block scheduling, single-subject teaching, higher GPA expectations, and intentional family engagement. Throughout, he emphasizes that real change requires listening to students, partnering with parents, and holding everyone to a shared standard of love and accountability.Key Moments00:00 Welcome and introduction to Principal Donnell Mayberry00:42 Donnell’s journey from Arizona to Oakland to Lancaster02:04 What restorative practices really mean in schools06:29 Bringing restorative practices to Challenger Middle School10:01 Building teacher capacity and tiered support for students13:10 The power of positive phone calls and repairing harm16:21 Shifting language away from punishment and toward reflection19:16 Raising expectations, GPA standards, and family accountability21:02 Supporting multilingual learners and equity across groups22:29 Collaboration, PD, and growing staff buy-in24:41 Four-year vision to restore academics and school culture27:25 Spreading restorative work across the districtWhy You Will Love This EpisodeYou will hear a candid, practical look at what it takes to move a middle school away from suspension-first thinking and toward restorative discipline, stronger relationships, and higher academic expectations. Donnell shares specific strategies, honest challenges, and real wins that leaders can adapt to their own campuses.Connect with Donnell MayberryEmail: [email protected] Website: https://cms.wilsonasd.net/en-USFollow UsWendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryorkLead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.comLead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/About Unlock 360°Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.We’ll be joining you in Season 5.
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S.4 | Ep. 26: Restorative Discipline and Community Partnership with Principal Donnell Mayberry
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