IVA High, a tuition-free public charter high school serving grades 9-12 in Long Beach, California, is welcoming Maigon Buckner as its new principal this year. Her path into education did not follow a straight line, and that path shapes how she leads today.

A Path Built Outside the Typical Timeline

Buckner did not move from high school straight into college and then into a classroom. She joined the workforce right out of high school and spent about eight years working in administrative roles in the government sector. She stepped away from that job to finish her undergraduate degree, then started graduate school while working and raising a family.

That combination led her into education almost by accident. She took a teacher’s aide position at a charter high school in Hawthorne, and it was not long before the school brought her on full time as an ELA teacher. She stayed for nearly ten years before deciding she wanted more room to lead.

What Drew Her to IVA High

Buckner describes IVA High’s small campus and hands-on approach to learning as the reason she made the move. “I was drawn to the vibe,” she said, pointing to the school’s use of project-based learning and its commitment to building relationships with students and staff as humans. She says what excites her most is working alongside a staff invested in helping young people grow into better versions of themselves.

That welcome has already left a mark. Starting a new role comes with its own nerves, and Buckner said the IVA High community eased hers fast. “Since Day 1, everyone, and I mean everyone, has been so kind and helpful,” she said. What stood out most was how much the staff cares about students, and how consistently the school puts relationships and students first.

Getting to Know Principal Buckner

Ask Buckner to sum herself up in a few words, and she will tell you it is not that simple. “Many people say that I’m complex, and I tend to agree,” she said. She describes herself as:

• Creative, but also analytical
• Playful, but capable of real seriousness
• Deeply invested in her school community
• Reflective and a careful listener
• Innovative, with a strong commitment to equitable access for every student

Families should also know that Buckner keeps every letter, note, picture, and drawing that students, colleagues, and parents have given her over the years, tucked away in keepsake boxes. It is a small habit that says a lot about how she measures success in her career in education.

When it comes to leadership philosophy, Buckner does not point to a single framework or trend. She sees students as individuals first, each carrying their own experiences and needs, and she sees her job as building the kind of relationships that support both their social-emotional growth and their academic progress.

Outside of school, Buckner spends her free time on all things Disney, building Lego sets, and gaming with her daughter and friends. A favorite line she returns to captures the mindset she hopes to instill in IVA High students: “Falling isn’t failing; failing is not getting up.”

What is she most looking forward to in year one? Getting to know her new school community, one relationship at a time.

About IVA High

IVA High is a fully accredited, tuition-free public high school in Long Beach, California with a mission to empower students to think well: creatively, critically, and with a capacity for self-growth. Our learner-centered approach puts students in charge of their education, while dual enrollment and paid internships transform learning into action. Students come for college prep, STEAM and exploratory pathways for their future; they stay for smaller, safer learning in a vibrant, caring community. Get to know us on social media @ivahigh and on the web at www.ivahigh.org 10 Years of Curious Minds, Empowered Community – Join Us!