iLEAD Agua Dulce Staff Spotlight on High School Facilitator Stephanie Byrne

Stephanie Byrne is a seasoned educator with a passion for helping teenagers navigate their educational journeys at iLEAD Agua Dulce. When she and her four children moved to the area, she knew she wanted to find a school that would encourage them to be “curious, creative and learn in a hands-on way.” iLEAD Agua Dulce was the perfect fit. Learn more about what Stephanie loves about the iLEAD community, the best parts of her job, and why she is the reigning Chili Cookoff Champ.

Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at iLEAD Agua Dulce.

Being an educator has always been my path, so I received a degree in English education from Long Beach State in 2005 and have been teaching English at the secondary level since 2006. I have been lucky enough to work in many capacities within education: at a traditional high school, in an alternative education setting, as a school administrator, as a regional program specialist, and as a small-group instructor.

I have four children and when we moved here from south Orange County I wanted to find a school where my children could be curious, creative, and learn in a hands-on way. iLEAD Agua Dulce is exactly that. When iLEAD expanded to include high school, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. So I left the largest independent study charter school in California to join the iLEAD family as the new high school facilitator. I love working with teenagers and supporting them in their educational journeys while also being on campus with my own children.

What is your role at iLEAD Agua Dulce? What’s the best part about it? 
I facilitate our IB classes, our new CTE Education pathway, all high school humanities course, and more. I love every part of independent study because the experience a learner gets out of it is directly related to the effort they put in. Talk about preparing teenagers for the next chapter.

What do you LOVE about iLEAD Agua Dulce? What sets it apart from other schools?
iLEAD has the BEST community, and the staff truly wants to see all learners grow and develop their skills and interests. It provides personalized, real-world learning opportunities for all students, and it feels like home.

Are you involved in other activities (e.g. clubs, tutoring, community engagement) at iLEAD Agua Dulce? If not, what are some events you enjoy at iLEAD Agua Dulce?

YES! Since we are a tiny but mighty high school, I help facilitate many clubs and extracurriculars.

I coordinate our educational travel each year. I took my 8th grader and his class to Washington DC and our high schoolers to Costa Rica and Iceland. This year, we are headed to the Galapagos Islands, and I am PUMPED.

I am the reigning Chili Cook-off Champ. Try me in the upcoming 3rd Annual High School Fundraiser (coming this November).

I also support the learner-led initiatives (Falcon Chronicles, Thrive Club, Unofficial Spirit Wear Club) and National Honor Society and senior activities.

In your opinion, what makes a great leader?
A great leader, in my opinion, is a person who is adaptable, willing to do the work, and is inspiring and vulnerable in the process.

There are great social-emotional learning activities/opportunities at iLEAD Agua Dulce. Can you share a story about seeing learners using them in action (or yourself)?
On our first day of the 2023-24 school year when our school had to evacuate to Vasquez Rocks due to the fire, high schoolers took charge and helped guide scared little ones to the safe zone. Many of the smaller learners were scared and in an unfamiliar place, and the high school learners stayed with them, calmed them down, offered them snacks and water even though they did not know each other. It was the highlight of MY first-day-of-school experience.

What does a day in your school life look like?

A day in my school life involves master multitasking between facilitating multiple courses, with all high school grade levels, helping learners manage the collective workload independent study accrues while also supporting the social and fundraising campaigns our high schoolers love.

Please name three fun facts about you.

1. I’m obsessed with sunrises and sunsets.
2. I was born in Alaska.
3. I run for fun.

We are so grateful Stephanie is a part of our iLEAD Agua Dulce community! Her dedication ensures that our high schoolers are not just prepared for the next chapter but are also empowered to be empathetic and adaptable leaders.

About iLEAD Agua Dulce:

iLEAD Agua Dulce is a free public school offering TK-12th graders a unique, personalized education in picturesque Agua Dulce, CA. Founded in 2018, the school emphasizes leadership development, play-based and project-based learning, and social-emotional development. Its outdoor classroom, complete with farm animals, promotes empathy and responsibility. Learners benefit from technology, arts, and aerospace opportunities, developing collaborative skills and critical thinking. High schoolers take advantage of UC a-g approved coursework, Career & Technical Education (CTE), and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme, preparing for success in college and career. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadaguadulce.org.

Join our innovative school today!