Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrystal Crawford
Hi Chrystal, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My husband and I put our son in a private school for the first time right around COVID. It was a difficult transition because he had never been to school before and I was not able to walk him into the school due to protocols for COVID, etc. He began taking speech therapy along with attending school. It was a tough time because his experience with school was not the greatest. I knew that he knew more than what he demonstrated at school. I also knew that he could learn if given the opportunity and resources. One day I dropped him off and he put his head between his knees as if to say, “Mom please don’t make me go back.” I saw something in my son that made me stop and say, to myself, “I have to help him.” I immediately pulled him out and started homeschooling him that day. He began to thrive. He started reading, writing and his speech improved tremendously. I realized he was missing the social piece, though my daughter is just a year younger and they play together, I decided to start a homeschool group in 2023 called He’s Able Christian Homeschool Group. I began teaching social skills through “Lunch Club” while organizing field trips and other opportunities to meet new children and parents.
The homeschool group was designed to serve a diverse group of children, especially those who may have challenges that impact their developmental domains. As a former special education teacher, I never believed that a child should be identified according to what they could not do, but by what they are able to do and do well. That is what He’s Able seeks to do. I believe that God is able to do all things. I saw what God did for my son and I knew that with education and God he could go far. I decided to work towards helping other parents and children who had the same story as me. While my children were doing well working at home, I felt the need to give them an opportunity to experience school, but in a way that they learn best and where they have the comforts of homeschooling, but the rigor that we see in some of the best schools around. C.O.R.E Academy was founded shortly after I realized this need.
C.O.R.E Academy is the sister organization of He’s Able. With the same theme of overcoming obstacles with Christ, I realized that there was such a thing called microschools where students who benefit from smaller class sizes and who need more individualized instruction can thrive. I couldn’t believe this was a real thing! C.O.R.E Academy looks the way it does today because of the experiences I have had as an educator in various places. Having taught in Harlem, NY and St. Louis, MO in public, private, charter and even alternative schools, I have seen a lot and believed I knew enough to start my own school. God had been training me behind the scenes for over a decade to do this work. Having worked side by side with deans in urban education, operation managers, in curriculum development, in tier three schools and more, I knew I had enough under my belt to get started. That’s exactly what I did, I simply got started and here we are today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been some challenges along the way as starting anything from the ground up is difficult. C.O.R.E Academy is a Christian microschool with a big agenda. Though there were some challenges, in terms of obtaining space, funding, deciding how to track data, differentiation of instruction for grades k-5, etc. I am thankful to God for giving me not only the grace to do this, but his blessing. I am thankful for my husband’s support in helping us get set up, partnerships with various organizations, the University of Missouri -St. Louis, our donors, the church community and even partners in other countries such as Ghana that have played a significant role in bringing forth solutions for us. I decided that I would choose Christ over restrictions everyday, which is what the acronym C.O.R.E stands for. No matter the challenge, I knew that I would have to continuously choose Jesus and his will for not only my life, but the children I have been entrusted with through the school.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
C.O.R.E Academy is an extension of the work that I do in ministry under an organization that I started that trains and equips ministry leaders globally; The Ekklesia Training and Equipping Center. Our microschool is made up of small flexible learning environments that serve a small number of students with no more than ten students per class and no more than 100 students per location. Specialized instruction is provided for all students and we operate outside of the traditional school system. C.O.R.E Academy serves as an excellent choice for students who have been or are currently being homeschooled as it is a cross between homeschooling and traditional schooling. At C.O.R.E Academy, we recognize that what is good for the masses is not necessarily good for every child. We desire to serve each child according to their needs.
Through partnerships with various organizations, we seek to provide the students with opportunities to learn from teaching artists in music and soon in art.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory involves me sitting in my window with a great book and reading while feeling relaxed and safe. As a result, I have created a unique space in the classroom to help with coping skills and just the overall feeling of security, curiosity and fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coreacademykids.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1195722758377831
