21st Century Cyber Charter School Podcast

How 21CCCS Runs Day to Day: Funding, Staffing, and Transparency

In Episode 6 of the 21CCCS Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes work that keeps an online public school running, including finance and human resources. Our CFO, Jonathan Shiota, explains how cyber charter school funding works, where the funding comes from, and how it compares to traditional public schools, while clearing up common misconceptions about charter school finances. You’ll also hear how budgeting decisions are made: what the biggest cost drivers are, how resources are prioritized, and how the school ensures spending is directly tied to student learning and support. From there, with our Human Resources Generalist, Karis Lane, we shift to HR and the people side of the organization on how 21CCCS recruits and hires teachers and staff, what qualities help employees succeed in a cyber environment, and how the school supports retention, professional growth, and well-being in a remote setting. The episode closes with an important conversation about transparency and public trust, including accountability practices, reporting, and how 21CCCS works to remain responsible to families, communities, and the public.

Whole-Student Support: Inside the 21CCCS Student Services Department

In Episode 5 of the 21st Century Cyber Charter School Podcast, the conversation focuses on how 21st Century Cyber Charter School supports students academically, emotionally, and individually in a virtual setting. Guests from the Student Services and Special Education teams explain how IEPs and services are delivered online, how families collaborate with specialists, and what counseling and whole-child support looks like in cyber education. The episode also explores equity, access, and how flexible learning can better serve diverse student needs across Pennsylvania.

Online School, Real Life: How Students Thrive at 21CCCS Online

In Episode 4 of the 21CCCS Podcast, four current students share a real, student-led look at life in cyber school, from logging in each day to staying organized, accountable, and connected. You’ll hear how students plan their day, manage time, and stay on track, plus how teachers check in and provide support. We also dig into something many families wonder about: relationships and community. Students share how they connect with teachers and classmates, what communication tools they use, and moments when they felt genuinely supported. This episode also keeps it real: students talk about the challenges of learning online, how they overcome them, and who cyber school may not be the right fit for. And to round out the full experience, we explore school events and milestones, including clubs, meetups, prom, graduation, and what those in-person moments mean as an online learner.

More Than Academics: How 21CCCS Supports the Whole Student

Episode 3 of the 21CCCS Podcast is all about whole-student support and the incredible team behind it. Dr. Flannery sits down with school counselors Ashley Cooke, Lisa Moynihan, Sanna McCoy, and social worker Katie Leber to break down what the Guidance Department really does in a virtual school: building relationships online, supporting students through stress and anxiety, partnering with families and teachers, guiding course planning and academic success, and helping students map out their future through college and career planning. You’ll also hear how 21CCCS approaches wellness and crisis support because students don’t just learn here, they’re supported every step of the way.

Inside 21CCCS Curriculum: Engagement, Standards & Innovation in Online Learning

Let’s go behind the scenes with the 21CCCS Curriculum Team to see how online lessons are designed, aligned to state standards, and built to keep students engaged through innovation and collaboration. In Episode 2 of the 21CCCS Podcast, CEO Dr. Flannery is joined by Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Nora Wheeler, along with Dr. Emily Shank and Lindsay Reid, for an inside look at how learning is thoughtfully designed in a cyber school setting. Together, they break down what curriculum design really looks like at 21st Century Cyber Charter School, from aligning lessons to state standards to building engaging, digital-first experiences that support every learner. You’ll hear how online curriculum compares to traditional classrooms, how rigor and accessibility are balanced, and how collaboration between teachers and curriculum specialists keeps instruction innovative and student-centered. This episode highlights the people behind the lessons and the purposeful work that helps students across Pennsylvania learn, grow, and thrive at 21CCCS.