Crystal has worked in the field of education for over 20 years as a paraprofessional, teacher, liaison, advisor, and administrator. Crystal joined CIP Long Beach as a Student Advisor in 2015 and has since supported the CIP community in various capacities including Head Student Advisor, Assistant Program Director, and most recently Program Director, where she has led CIP Long Beach to continued growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crystal takes pride in helping students and families experience positive outcomes through attention to quality service delivery, communication, compassionate human service, and creative strategies for engagement.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in instrumental music education from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, and a Master of Education degree in special education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She has presented parent and community workshops for Love2Learn Consulting and CIP Family Services, served as a presenter on post-secondary transition supports with CIP Founder, Dr. Michael McManmon, at the 2018 Independent Educational Consultants Association conference, and has her work on “Coping During Covid-19: Strategies to Reinforce Executive Functioning Skills During Times of Change” published in Autism Spectrum News. Crystal received the Staff of the Year Award in 2016.
In her personal time, Crystal enjoys painting, fishing, spending quality time with family and friends, and taking beach walks with her little dog, Newman. She can also be found playing adult co-ed softball and attending LA Galaxy home soccer games on the weekends.
