Compass celebrates our Employees of the Year, who embody our ARTIC Values and always put our scholars first. We get to know each of them better!
Congratulations, Beth Sneyd!
Beth is our Assessment and Data Coordinator, and she has been with Compass for ten school years! We asked Beth about some of her experiences at Compass.
What is your favorite memory at Compass?
I have many fond memories of our in-person staff retreats. My first retreat in Palm Springs will always be my favorite because I met everyone in person for the first time. It was also a mid-year retreat, and patio dining in February in Palm Springs is magical, especially with mariachis.
Why do you do what you do at Compass?
If you ask anyone at Compass that question, the answer is: the scholars. We all do what we do to ensure that scholars have equitable access to personalized learning. Everyone is doing their part to ensure all our scholars are supported and progressing. If this question was more about why I am in the role that I am in, I originally joined Compass as a Calpads administrator and SIS manager, working under the (then) Assessment Coordinator. After a program split the following year, I was shifted to cover assessments. It was a big learning curve, as at about that time, CAASPP assessments moved from paper-pencil to computer-based. Soon after, ELPAC shifted from paper-pencil to computer-based. The pandemic offered new challenges with the introduction of remote administration. Everyone pulled together to meet our scholars’ needs and complete our state-mandated assessments.
How do you feel about being named 2022/23 Employee of the Year?
I was shocked, completely surprised, and a little curious as Liz Brenner, our new superintendent, started her introduction and mentioned “data.” Every day, I do the best job possible to ensure the staff and supervising teachers are supported in their roles of directly supporting the scholars. From training, job guides, chats, emails, etc., I try to be as responsive as possible to clear the questions and help the supervising teachers feel confident in administering our assessments. I appreciate this recognition more than you know. Thank You!
What are your favorite hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?
I love to read and am usually reading several books at the same time. I belong to a local book club, and we meet once a month. I also volunteer as a CASA and work with local foster youth. My current case includes two siblings. I love walking each morning watching the sunrise, and my dog and I average about 1.5 to 2 miles daily. I also like to stream new shows and watch too many reality shows. My current favorite is the Great British Baking Show. I love baseball, and I am a Padres fan. My 20-year-old son is also at home with me, and I love visiting with him each day to see what he’s up to. He loves to golf, and golfing is something I’d like to start doing again. (The pictures attached are my son and me and my best friend and me in Tennessee after a day of fishing.)
Congratulations Becky Jans!
Becky Jans and Alysia Hurtado
Becky is a supervising teacher here at Compass. This is her sixth year working for Compass. Becky shares her experiences at Compass.
What is your favorite memory at Compass?
I have many fond memories, like seeing my scholars virtually and in person, working with my fellow teachers, and making virtual meetings fun with the wigs and filters. Still, my favorite memory is spending time with teachers and staff in person for field trips, school events, and meals.
Why do you do what you do at Compass?
I love teaching kids and working with families. I enjoy supporting families and helping parents navigate their way through independent study.
How do you feel about being named 2022/23 Employee of the Year?
I’m honored and was very surprised to receive such a prestigious award. Thank you!
Do you have any other fun stories to share?
I love to wear festive headbands for holidays and events, especially because I mostly see my scholars and fellow teachers in Zoom and our head shows. I like having fun.
What are your favorite hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?
I love to grow tomatoes and garden. I love anything involving water, like swimming and body surfing in the ocean, sailing and boating, hiking near water, going to the beach or river, and I love the rain.
Congratulations Ke’Len Armstrong!
Ke’Len Armstrong began his journey as our Director of Options Learning a year ago. Ke’Len leads our team of Options teachers and staff to live our ARTIC values and always put our scholars first. Ke’Len shares what he has been up to the past year with Compass.
What is your favorite memory at Compass?
My favorite memory at Compass is meeting my fellow champions in the fight to provide the best alternative education. I specifically recall meeting the members of the Options department at my first-ever Compass retreat. I remember feeling nervous about meeting the coordinators supervising teachers and leading a week of professional development. I just remember being welcomed and supported by some of the most genuine, scholar-focused educators that I’ve ever met in my career. I had an amazing time meeting everyone, and it made me feel right at home.
Why do you do what you do at Compass?
The future of education is grounded in the development of alternative learning environments. Offering choices for families and scholars to participate in education tailored to their interests and requirements is vital for nurturing lifelong learners. My involvement with Compass is driven by ensuring that as many families as possible can access and benefit from this incredible learning experience.
How do you feel about being named 2022/23 Employee of the Year?
Receiving the Employee of the Year certificate left me in complete awe. Our entire organization consistently produces exceptional work as we collaborate to uplift our scholars and their families. I also felt an overwhelming sense of pride because this recognition reflects the remarkable efforts of our Options coordinators and supervising teachers, who contribute significantly to our academic and cultural growth.
What are your favorite hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy writing! This may not be surprising coming from an English teacher, but I enjoy creative writing, specifically poetry. I also enjoy youth sports. I volunteer to coach and support many of the local youth sports. Learning happens in many spaces, and sports have always been a blank canvas to teach kids about the world surrounding them.
Congratulations Kari Watt!
Our Elementary School Teacher, Kari, has been with Compass for eight years! Kari is a beloved teacher who strives always to put scholars first. Learn some more about Kari!
What is your favorite memory at Compass?
I have too many favorite memories to choose from! One that comes to mind is when we read our first novel of the year in my third-grade class. After reading the novel Freckle Juice, I make the famous freckle juice recipe in our learning lab and always take one disgusting drink. It never gets old watching my 3rd graders’ faces and how excited and scared for me they get. Haha! It is always a highlight every year!
Why do you do what you do at Compass?
I became a teacher and am still teaching 20 years later because it has always been a passion. At Compass, it is a unique opportunity to work with learning coaches and scholars, and I love supporting each of them on their personalized learning journey. It is a gift to watch the growth and learning that happens over a school year, and I am so thankful for the relationships built along the way.
How do you feel about being named 2022/23 Employee of the Year?
I feel humbled and honored to be named Employee of the Year, and I am so thankful for my team and the Compass staff. It was so special knowing the nominations came from scholars and learning coaches, and they took the time to nominate me for the award.
Any other fun stories to share?
I always tell my scholars that 11 am is my favorite time of the day because it is when we all gather for learning lab. My third graders are amazing, and we have so much fun learning together!
What are your favorite hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?
I love hiking, gardening, spending time with my family, and watching my favorite basketball team, the Golden State Warriors!
Thank you to our wonderful Employees of the Year for sharing their unique stories!
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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!