Compass Charter Schools (Compass) now has a podcast, the Firebird Chat, that is quite a valuable resource for scholars. This is one more way our free public charter school for TK-12, serving Los Angeles, San Diego, Yolo, and surrounding counties, proves to be the Gold Standard for Personalized Learning. The podcast features experts from across the Compass staff. Our counselors, Mr. Jacob Samples and Mrs. Mandi Schwartzberg, create monthly podcasts that provide helpful tips for scholars to succeed socially, emotionally, and academically in a virtual learning environment.
Let’s Explore
Podcast topics are strategically designed to speak to scholars where they are in the school year. For example, the first episode in September 2022 is titled “Start Strong,” and January 2023’s episode discusses achieving New Year’s Resolutions, one at a time.
Scholars hear the confident and empathetic voices of Mr. Samples and Mrs. Schwartzberg on alternating episodes. They each clearly articulate the reason why the topic is important and offer helpful strategies and tools to develop for a lifetime of emotional intelligence. Wise words and kind suggestions include:
- Start the school year with a mindset for possibility.
- Create a workspace with few distractions.
- Create an intentional and predictable schedule, with 80% of our schedule fixed and 20% left flexible to life’s challenges.
- Believe in yourself. You can do hard things.
- Grit and building resilience are essential qualities that help us overcome obstacles and achieve our goals
- Communication, trust, and respect are the pillars of a healthy relationship.
- Taking good care of ourselves is crucial to our well-being.
Building an SEL Toolbox
Setting healthy boundaries, using “I” messages, practicing nonverbal communication with active listening, and understanding the five love languages are also important. Counselors help scholars develop these qualities to become independent learners and thinkers. They learn:
- To make a more sustainable impact in the community, by focusing inward first and adopting habits that promote positivity and productivity.
- To consistently practice gratitude and build strong social connections helps us become more energetic, emotionally intelligent, forgiving, and less likely to be anxious, depressed, or lonely.
- To use behavioral activation, another coping mechanism that helps us take deliberate actions to support our well-being.
- To reflect on our challenges and practicing gratitude helps us move forward with a growth mindset.
- To develop emotional intelligence helps us act more responsibly and live happier lives.
- To reach out for help is not a sign of weakness- it’s the opposite.
Plan for Success
Compass counselors remind the scholars on nearly every episode that they can help scholars design their own individual plan for success, catering to what is important to them. If scholars intentionally practice the strategies and develop the tools discussed in the Firebird Chat podcast, and if they meet with these incredible counselors, they will definitely develop the skills necessary for social, emotional, and academic success in our virtual learning environment.
Are you looking for the flexibility, freedom, and full support of personalized learning? Join us. Compass is enrolling today!
About Compass
Compass Charter Schools (Compass) is the Gold Standard in Personalized Learning for innovative, creative self-learners. We celebrate diversity & equity in our tuition-free public school – every scholar belongs in our tailored education programs: Online and Options home study. As one of California’s leading WASC-accredited virtual charter schools of choice, we nurture a curiosity for lifelong learning. Every TK-12 scholar and learning coach (our term for parents) is fully supported with in-house counselors, welcoming staff, and talented accredited teachers. Additionally, we are the only virtual Purple Star School in California, and one of few virtual AVID programs in the nation. Join our collaborative virtual learning community. Rise and Soar with our Firebirds – enroll with Compass today!