Crystal has more than ten years of experience working with children, with much of her background focused on early childhood education and special education. She holds an Associate degree in Psychology and is currently working toward her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, continuing to expand her understanding of child development, learning, and behavior. Throughout her career, she has supported children with a variety of personalities, strengths, learning styles, and individual needs. She believes every child deserves to feel safe, valued, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.
One of Crystal’s greatest joys is watching children discover the world around them and seeing their excitement when they learn something new or master a new skill. She believes the early childhood years provide an important foundation for a child’s future and feels privileged to be part of those formative years. She strives to create a nurturing environment filled with patience, encouragement, affection, exploration, and opportunities to learn through play. As both an educator and a parent, she values building strong relationships with families and working together to help each child feel confident, loved, and supported as they grow.
Outside of the classroom, Crystal loves spending time with her three children—a high school senior, a high school freshman, and a middle schooler. She enjoys being outdoors, reading, listening to music, attending concerts, and going to football games, where she especially loves watching her oldest perform with the dance team. Being a parent has given her an even deeper appreciation for the importance and uniqueness of every stage of childhood. Crystal is grateful to be part of the UT Child Development Center community and looks forward to caring for, nurturing, and learning alongside its children and families.