S3 EP7 Kristi Baird on Mental Health and Attendance: Insights from Compass Community Schools

​PODCAST Season 3 EPISODE 7
 
Kristi Baird
Executive Director
Compass Community Schools
 
Quote of the Podcast:
 
"Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make change." Barbara Mikulski
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Kristi Baird has more than 25 years of experience molding young minds in Memphis. She has remained a pillar in the local education community, serving in various roles throughout her career, including teacher, guidance counselor, vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and executive director. She is now the founder and executive director of Compass Community Schools, a network of charter schools in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to forming Compass Community Schools, Kristi held several positions within the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. She began her work in Catholic schools in the Jubilee Catholic Schools network, known as the Miracle in Memphis, where she was a teacher and then moved into leadership roles. She was serving as superintendent of Jubilee when then Bishop Martin Holly announced the closing of Jubilee. Kristi went on to found and lead Compass Community Schools, which opened to serve students displaced by the closing of Jubilee. Kristi holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Christian Brothers University. Kristi is a mother and educator and approaches her work in education from both perspectives.
 
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators

•  30,000 Ft. View – Why do we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Compass's work to reduce chronic absenteeism across our network of six schools (reducing our rate from 33% in 22-23 school year to 20% in the 23-24 school year)
• Compass Community Schools’ service learning model -Compass serves a high Multi Language Learners (MLL) population. About 68% of Compass students have a home language other than English.
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision-makers to know?

Podcast/book shoutouts
Books I read this summer: The Way of the Shepherd and The Classroom Management Secret: and 45 Other Keys to a Well Behaved Class Currently Rereading: Walk the Walk Currently Reading: Good to Great and The Devil at His Elbow
 
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions