Crystal is an elementary school teacher and a private tutor who has worked in public, charter, and private schools across New York City and Florida. Crystal has spent 11 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade, and has tutored students ranging from 4 year olds to graduate students. Crystal believes that building relationships and creating activities that are joyful and meaningful allow students to engage in authentic learning. 

Crystal moved to New York City 16 years ago from her native Florida to attend New York University for a master’s degree in International Education. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and completed coursework for her Master's of Education in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College at Columbia University. Having taught 2nd and 3rd grade in both Florida and Brooklyn, she knows that those two age groups are both inspiring and great fun. Helping children learn to love questioning is a goal that Crystal always keeps foremost in her mind. Crystal has tutored early childhood and elementary school aged children in math and literacy for both native English speakers, as well as those learning English as a dual language. She has also provided study skills and academic writing support for international graduate students in which English was their second language. 

In addition to teaching, Crystal is fascinated by cross cultural exchanges and experiences. Crystal studied abroad in Valencia, Spain while in college, and in Shanghai, China while she was in graduate school. These experiences allowed her to understand the importance of human connection in realizing the similarities and differences each of us have. With this understanding, Crystal worked as program manager for a children’s program at a major Chinese language and culture institution in New York City for 4 years. 

Outside of teaching, Crystal enjoys playing both indoor and beach volleyball, doing improv and sketch comedy, dancing in various studios around NYC, taking classes at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, hiking, surfing, swimming, being outside, and most indulgently, eating delicious meals with her friends and family in New York City and around the world.