Scholar KristiLynn Effie
We support our scholars in their dreams and goals at Compass Charter Schools’ Online Learning Program. When scholars share how much they love our virtual learning program and why, we listen. KristiLynn Effie, graduating Scholar Leadership Council Chair and National Honor Society President, has a lot to say about excelling as an online scholar.
KristiLynn was recently invited to speak about digital learning on a live webinar by the Digital Learning Collaborative, run by the Evergreen Learning Group. Let’s see what she has to say about online learning:
Personal Pace
“I am able to work at my own pace.” KristiLynn explains. “I absolutely adore online schooling. I feel like I am able to see the growth in my grades, and I take academics very seriously. I love having the option to work over the weekends as well, when I can either catch up or get ahead if I need to, and it just allows me to balance my time.”
Teacher Relationships
KristiLynn is not shy about how her online education allows her to work very closely with her teachers in a personalized and approachable way.
“In-person teachers, when I went to a brick and mortar school, had 20-30 some odd students. They cannot divide their attention to one specific student. Online you have that option. You can email teachers, and you can set up personal one-on-one times where you can receive that additional help that you need. I found that with in-person, I did not have that option, at all. So it was quite difficult to get that extra needed help that way, or to build a connection with that teacher.”
“Even though online teachers are so different from in-person, they put so much time and effort into their scholars, and it’s quite evident.”
She goes on to give a shout out to specific influencers at Compass Online. “Mr. Lewis, David Spink, Lynn Woodley, Terry El Massry, and Mataya Olson have been motivating and inspirational.” Remember, Compass Online is celebrating over 10 years as a free public K-12 online school, serving San Diego, Los Angeles, Yolo, and their surrounding communities.
“When I think of a teacher who has made an impact on my education, I think of Mrs. El Massry, my English Language Arts teacher. Not only is she entertaining, capturing her students’ interest, but is professional and always responds to any concern. Her online Zoom classes are focussed on the material and sets aside time for questions. Her answers are in-depth but not so far to the point it would be confusing. Whenever I find I need extra support, I know I can always turn to her.”
Flexibility is Key
KristiLynn advocates for the flexibility Compass Online allows her.
“I am fully online. My days vary so some days I wake up super early and get started right away. Some days I don’t start until the afternoon because I have that option.” she said. “And it’s just been perfect for me because I wanted to pursue my extracurricular activities, precisely the theatrical arts, so it just allowed me to balance my time with hobbies, as well as my schoolwork, where I wouldn’t be missing any classes or things like that.”
And she has big goals.
“I will be attending the University of California- San Diego, majoring in Visual Arts Studio. Compass allowed me to study my academics without distraction.”
Love the Clubs
“I definitely love connecting with other scholars. I am very fortunate that our school provides clubs. I’m personally involved in the National Honor Society and our Leadership Council, and as President of both, I’m able to communicate with the other members and get to know them more one-on-one,” KristiLynn said.
Compass Charter School Clubs (CCS Clubs) are led by scholars and guided by an experienced staff advisor. Whether a first-grade scholar is into baking or an 8-grade scholar is curious about world languages and chess, chances are there is a club for them.
Oh The Places…
Yes, virtual learners get to be social too.
“We meet at the field trip location, and we have plenty [of field trips] over a month. Many locations: Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego… all over the California state so our scholars are able to attend. I personally join the San Diego ones. We all get into a group, we’re able to come with our families, and meet each other that way,” KristiLynn said.
“I enjoyed the JPL, Jet Propulsion Laboratory when I lived a little further north, and that was so much fun. I think I’ve been there two or three times now, and I just know I wouldn’t have had that experience if I was not with Compass, so I am very grateful for that.”
A Wish
We’re proud of KristiLynn Effie. She is a scholar that represents our mission to inspire and develop innovative, creative, self-directed learners, one scholar at a time. She’s a leader taking initiative for her academic journey and striving for excellence in life beyond high school. She’s one intelligent, articulate, driven scholar, and we couldn’t agree with her astute observations more.
“I would love online schools to get a better reputation,” KristiLynn said, and explained that she has friends in brick and mortar schools who ask her all kinds of questions that make it obvious they are hearing a stigma associated with virtual learning. “I’d love to see it as a more normalized thing across the US. We all have our own different learning styles, and I think that it’s very important that we all recognize that maybe how one scholar learns is not the same for another.”
Thank you, KristiLynn! We are thankful for you, and wish you the best as you complete your Compass Experience and prepare for your next adventure at the University of California San Diego!
If you are looking for the high-quality educational experience described by KristiLynn Effie, we appreciate hearing from you. To learn more about Compass Online, we invite you to read the Top Ten Reasons To Attend Compass Online. And if you’re just as excited as we are for Fall 2022, do not hesitate to Rise and Soar with our Firebirds and enroll with us today. We are ready to welcome you!
About Compass
Compass Charter Schools’ Online Learning Program (Compass Online) is celebrating 10 years as the Gold Standard in Virtual Education. Serving thousands of online scholars throughout California, we support each K-12 scholar and learning coach with in-house counselors, talented accredited teachers, and a staff of excellence. As the only Purple Star School in California, and one of the few online AVID programs in the nation, Compass Online is beyond unique and impressive. Rise and Soar with our Firebirds – enroll with Compass Online today!
Congratulations Kristilynn!