Sage Studio

Art in Oakschool: Virtual & Hybrid Classes, Pottery at Muddy’s, and Student Creativity at Sage Oak

Host Tiffiny Webster talks with Sage Oak art teachers Shirlee Fisher and Eliza Rogan about Oakschool’s expanding art opportunities, including wide-ranging virtual classes (watercolor, clay, fiber arts, cartooning, 3D construction) and hybrid ceramics that combine Zoom instruction with in-studio wheel throwing and firing. They describe hands-on online teaching using document cameras and Padlet, and discuss Muddy’s Studios in Santa Ana for middle schoolers to learn clay skills with professional potters, emphasizing play, grit, and confidence. The episode highlights the Sage Oak–wide Cultivate and Create contest (TK–12, visual art plus choreography and music composition) as a way for students to claim an artist identity, plus new music offerings with teacher Megan Gilbert to build a full VAPA program. Eliza also previews an October 20 field trip to watch muralists extend LA’s Great Wall project at Bergamot Station. Families can browse and enroll anytime via the Oakschool catalog on sageoak.education.

00:00 Welcome and Guests
00:31 Meet Shirlee Fisher
01:24 Meet Eliza Rogan
02:22 Oakschool Art Catalog
04:01 Hybrid Ceramics Classes
05:46 Muddy Studios Pottery
07:57 Art Lessons for Life
09:07 Cultivate and Create
11:48 Adding Music to VAPA
13:08 Great Wall Field Trip
15:59 Student Breakthrough Stories
19:22 CTE Pathways and Community
22:35 How to Enroll and Wrap Up


For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Digital Citizenship Week at Sage Oak: Safe, Responsible Tech Use and Critical Thinking With AI

Host Tiffiny Webster welcomes Sage Oak technology training facilitator Jenn Ortiz to define digital citizenship as responsible, safe, and respectful technology use and to discuss how skills progress by grade level—from protecting passwords and practicing kindness online in elementary, to evaluating digital footprints, spotting misinformation, and maintaining safety in middle school, to ethical AI use and copyright awareness in high school. Ortiz emphasizes explicit teaching, partnering with students and families over “policing,” and using Sage Oak–vetted tools (including Math Pathways) instead of unvetted sites that may collect data. She highlights Sage Oak’s partnership with Common Sense Education, noting families can create a free account to access lessons and at-home activities. For Digital Citizenship Week (Oct. 19–23), Sage Oak will share daily, grade-banded resources on media balance, privacy and safety, digital footprint and identity, kindness and cyberbullying, and media literacy with AI.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:55 What Is Digital Citizenship
02:57 Skills by Grade Level
07:10 Teaching Approach and Family Partnership
08:03 Vetted Apps and Online Safety
09:33 Digital Citizenship Week Themes
11:12 Common Sense Resources for Parents
12:03 Everyday Tech Habits for Kids
13:52 Creating Content With EdTech Tools
14:34 Event Dates and Final Wrap Up


For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Oakschool 2026/2027: New Classes, Community Benefits, and a Revamped Enrollment Platform

In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster welcomes new Oakschool manager Kass McInteer to discuss Sage Oak Charter School’s Oakschool program for the 2026/2027 school year, which offers daily live synchronous instruction and has grown to 300+ class opportunities taught by about 20 instructors. They highlight core companion classes with curriculum support, enrichment options (including newly added music, VAPA, cooking, coding, debate, entrepreneurship), counseling-based classes like Brain Boss and Career Quest, and in-person experiences such as Art in the Park, Music in the Park, and Outdoor School now offered in San Bernardino County. Kass explains last year’s enrollment platform crash and the complete overhaul that enabled 6,200+ first-day enrollments without crashing, with cart holds, confirmation emails, and transparent waitlists. Enrollment opened August 17 for the full year, stays open, and new classes will be added; families can explore sageoak.education/oakschool or email [email protected].

00:00 Welcome to Oakschool
00:47 What Oakschool Is
02:08 Class Variety and New Music
03:02 In Person Experiences
04:00 Enrollment Platform Overhaul
05:27 How Enrollment Works Now
07:08 Open Enrollment All Year
07:45 Community and Teacher Passion
10:50 Advice for Hesitant Families
11:43 Where to Learn More
13:04 Catalog Walkthrough Demo
14:19 Final Wrap Up


For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Math Power Standards at Sage Oak: App, Companion Books, and Quick Checks

In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster talks with Carleen Maurer,  Director of Student Learning and Innovation, about math power standards—essential grade-level skills students need now and in future grades. Carlene explains that because families use different math curricula, Sage Oak created consistent “GPS markers” to ensure all students meet the same skill expectations. She shares three connected resources: the Math Pathways app (accessed through students’ Clever portals) that starts students at grade level and differentiates using an “I do, we do, you do” gradual release model; companion books that extend learning offline with parent guidance, real-world activities, and differentiated practice; and low-stakes quick checks used at learning period meetings to measure mastery and guide support or enrichment. Parents can get books through teachers and updates via Sage News.

00:00 Welcome and Setup
00:52 Meet Carlene Maurer
01:36 What Are Power Standards
02:30 Why These Resources
04:29 Math Pathways App
06:28 I Do We Do You Do
08:10 Companion Books
09:25 Parent Guides and Real Life
10:55 Differentiation Made Simple
12:48 Quick Checks for Progress
14:39 How to Access Everything
15:20 Updates and Wrap Up
16:46 Final Thanks and Goodbye

For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Back to School at Sage Oak High School: Personalized Learning, CTE Pathways, and Student Life

In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster talks with Sage Oak High School Assistant Principal Laura Glaviano and new High School Facilitator Rachel Weisenbach about what students can expect in the high school program. They describe Sage Oak as a flexible learning program.  Laura explains Sage Oak’s six CTE pathways—Child Development, Sports Medicine, Computer Science (including AP Computer Science and new AP Networking/cybersecurity), Entrepreneurship, and Arts, Media & Entertainment (animation, visual arts, photography)—highlighting elective A–G credit, certifications, speakers, mentorship, field trips, and graduation recognition for completing two courses. They also share student social opportunities such as 20+ clubs, trips, hangouts, homecoming, and prom, and encourage families to use the website, EAs, Sage News, and to start by trying one activity.

00:00 Welcome and Guests
00:53 Meet Laura and Rachel
02:31 What Sage Oak High School Is
03:38 A Day in the Life
06:11 CTE Pathways Overview
08:47 All Six Pathways
11:12 CTE Benefits and Outcomes
13:04 Field Trips and Engagement
14:50 Clubs and Social Life
16:53 Final Thoughts and Resources
18:26 Closing Goodbye

For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Back to School at Sage Oak’s Virtual Learning Academy (2026–2027) with Assistant Principal Mary Hizon-Barry

In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster talks with Virtual Learning Academy assistant principal Mary Hizon-Barry about back to school for the 2026/2027 year, including expanded paraprofessional support across all grade levels five days a week, targeted small-group help in math and writing, and how VLA combines live, interactive Zoom classes with asynchronous work on Canvas that requires active parent partnership. Mary shares the return of monthly whole-school field trips based on parent feedback, plus ongoing in-person socials to build community. She explains how AVID strategies are embedded to build organization, critical thinking, collaboration, and college/career readiness. The episode also highlights career exploration through field trips, assemblies, teacher discussions, middle school use of the Pathful platform, and student informational interviews with family networks, along with weekly Sage News and class newsletters sent Mondays.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:36 Meet Assistant Principal Mary
01:31 New Year Updates and Support
02:56 How Virtual Classes Work
04:50 Office Hours and Extra Help
05:38 Field Trips and Socials
06:55 AVID Skills Framework
08:37 Career Readiness for All Ages
12:16 Weekly Updates and Kickoff Events
14:23 Enrollment Info and Closing

For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Back-to-School with Sage Oak’s Personalized Learning Academy: Flexibility, Support, OakSchool, Sage Crates, and Events

In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster welcomes back Personalized Learning Academy (PLA) Assistant Principal Kiley Duncan, who shares how PLA serves TK–8 as a flexible independent study program built on strong parent involvement and partnership with a credentialed teacher who helps create individualized learning plans, select curriculum, plan field trips, and provide accountability. Kiley discusses strategies for families with multiple children, including combining subjects, using classes to balance the day, and maintaining a schedule and dedicated learning space. She highlights OakSchool’s expanding live and asynchronous offerings, including more core classes and a new performing arts-focused art teacher, and introduces Sage Crates as vetted, curated curriculum bundles for families who want a one-stop option. They preview field trips, four socials (including living history, career fair, and end-of-year events), new locations, and recommend Sage News and the website for updates and enrollment.

00:00 Welcome Back
00:39 Meet Kiley Duncan
01:15 What Is PLA
01:56 Flexibility And Fit
02:50 Multiple Kids Scheduling
05:04 OakSchool Classes
06:55 Sage Crates Explained
08:41 Field Trips Highlights
11:21 Socials And Community
12:15 Staying In The Loop
13:25 Enrollment Info
14:04 Final Encouragement
15:26 Closing Thanks

For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Students Share PAGE Enrichment: National Park Design, Future Problem Solving, Speakers, and Escape Rooms

In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster is joined by PAGE advisor Amy Elwood and students Adi Prabhakar, Ada Torres, and Leanna to discuss the PAGE (Program for Advanced and Gifted Education) enrichment program for gifted and high-achieving students. Adi shares a national park design challenge where he researched a park, created a visitor experience, and used AI-generated images, emphasizing learning through iterative ideas and imagination. Ada and Leanna describe Future Problem Solving training and a state-level competition requiring a six-step method, research, and rapid problem analysis and solution-building around a new scenario. The group also highlights PAGE guest speakers (authors and an oceanographer), team-based escape rooms that build perseverance and collaboration, and optional in-person/online opportunities such as field trips. Amy explains PAGE’s goal to “ignite and inspire,” and offers guidance on joining by contacting a teacher or requesting assessment.

00:00 Welcome and Guests
00:54 What Is PAGE
01:21 Meet the Students
02:24 National Park Design
04:54 Creative Process Lessons
07:05 Future Problem Solving
08:51 State Competition Format
11:21 Guest Speaker Series
15:07 Ignite and Inspire Goals
16:09 Escape Room Challenges
18:56 How PAGE Works
19:46 How to Join PAGE
20:05 Student Advice and Field Trips
22:20 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

For more information visit www.sagoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Celebrating Sage Oak Graduates: Graduation Speaker Alina and Superintendent’s Award Recipients Logan and Emilee

In this episode of Sage Studio, host Tiffiny Webster interviews three Sage Oak High School Class of 2026 graduates. Alina shares how she was selected as a graduation speaker based on Sage Oak’s core values, discusses her 4.0+ GPA, early graduation at 17, and long-term library volunteering that inspired her speech about looking beyond current expectations to find new opportunities; she also outlines plans to finish community college with three associate’s degrees before transferring to study criminology and forensic psychology with the goal of working for the FBI. Superintendent’s Award recipients Logan and Emilee discuss excelling in academics and service: Logan describes intensive AP coursework, study strategies, gymnastics leadership, and plans for UCSD computer engineering and AI for biotech, while Emilee describes dual enrollment success, balancing work with rest, service as an animation class teacher’s assistant, and plans to transfer to Cal State Fullerton for animation and pursue 3D character animation for video games.

00:00 Welcome and Guests
00:57 Alina Graduation Speaker
02:37 Service Inspires Speech
05:28 Alina Future Plans
07:34 Logan Award Intro
09:35 Logan Study Systems
13:53 Logan Service and Goals
16:17 Emilee Dual Enrollment
18:57 Emilee Service and Animation
22:13 Final Congrats and Wrap

For more information on enrolling in Sage Oak visit our website www.sageoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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Why New Hires Choose Sage Oak: Work-Life Balance, Support, and Innovation

In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster welcomes new Sage Oak hires Savannah Wheeler (5th grade virtual academy teacher), Elizabeth Metcalf (personalized learning academy teacher), and Codi Dauz (events management) following Sage Oak’s Energage Top Workplace for Education award. Each shares their path to Sage Oak—often via referrals from friends, family, or neighbors—and highlights motivations such as flexibility, manageable workload, supportive leadership, and being valued as individuals. Savannah describes moving from a sales background into teaching, praising Sage Oak’s technology, rapid feedback cycles, and leadership responsiveness to teacher mental health. Elizabeth, a former brick-and-mortar teacher, emphasizes work-life balance, regular surveys, and meaningful one-on-one time with students and families. Codi discusses leaving long event-industry hours for a family-supportive role planning field trips, noting strong team culture, cross-department collaboration, and innovation focused on students and families. Guests close with advice encouraging nontraditional paths, positive work environments, and taking leaps into new teaching models.

00:00 Welcome and Guests
01:03 Savannah Career Switch
02:54 Codi Events to Education
05:27 Elizabeth Return to Teaching
06:40 Why Sage Oak Stands Out
07:13 Savannah Loves Tech Support
08:50 Elizabeth Support and Students
10:30 Codi Team Culture Innovation
13:26 Advice for Career Changers
15:52 Final Thanks and Wrap

For more information on applying for a position at Sage Oak visit our website www.sageoak.education

Thank you for listening to the Sage Studio podcast presented by Sage Oak Charter Schools and hosted by Tiffiny Webster, M.A.Ed.  We invite you to follow the show and leave your review below.  Sage Oak Charter Schools is an independent study nonclassroom based TK-12 personalized learning public charter school serving students in Southern California.  Visit sageoak.education for more information.

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