We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chrystal Crawford. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Chrystal, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think the most misunderstood thing about what I do in education is that it is like traditional education, there’s a set curriculum and everybody learns and demonstrates their understanding the same way. I see that because we are a smaller learning environment that many assume that we do not need as many resources as teachers and students in traditional schools when in fact we need more because we are privately funded ( a lot of it is of my personal resources) and are in no way an extension of the public school district or under government regulations or a university.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Chrystal Crawford and I am the founder and Dean of Students of C.O.R.E Academy Schools. What makes us special is that we are a local microschool with a big agenda. We choose Christ Over Restrictions Everyday. The agenda involves becoming the prototype for microschools in the area and it is also on my heart to be a place of research for local universities and colleges.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
A CEO that I worked for in Harlem taught me a lot about the education system and hard work. She opened a new charter school every year and from that I learned that there is a high demand in providing quality education for students that are considered low-income, high risk, etc. The only difference is that the students I serve are homeschoolers in an area where many of the schools do not meet the parent’s expectations. From my experience in Harlem, I learned the importance of setting high expectations for students and their parents regardless of the challenges or socioeconomic situations that often times present themselves. From this CEO, I learned that leading in this capacity means that if you are going to lead, do it and do it unapologetically and without excuses.
From my mother I learned resiliency and from my father I learned the importance of education and high levels of education. I have had a number of mentors and all have brought something special to my life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t worry about what others think because they may think certain things about you, but God knows the thoughts that he thinks toward you and his thoughts are higher. His thoughts will bring you to an expected end. I would also tell myself that success is not what you think, it is simply like what the late Dr. Myles Munroe said, “Success is not a comparison of what we have done with what others have done.”
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The culture of the kingdom is what I strive to protect at all costs. It is my desire to turn to the kingdom of God as opposed to the kingdoms of this world to effect change. It is my desire to remain a change agent, and I can’t do that if I compromise by adhering to the kingdoms of this world.
Abiding by the law of honor is critical. Many people suffer from delay and in some cases abort their destiny because they do not understand the law of honor. This is a guiding principle that emphasizes the importance of valuing and respecting oneself and others. This is the compass that helps us navigate through ethical decisions and foster an environment where individuals flourish and communities thrive. Honor must be sustained and protected at all costs.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If immortality were real, what would you build?
If we look at immortality in the biblical sense, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ who abolished death that life and immortality are brought to light (2 Tim. 1:10) the word used in the text is aphtharsia which means incorruption. What that means is Jesus is not disassociated from the resurrection of the body. He is the living one who died and is alive for evermore (Rev. 1:18). By way of the preaching of the Gospel, we are regenerated and through faith are united with him. From him those who believe receive eternal life, so biblically immortality is not a natural possession, but the gift of redemptive grace.
I am currently building things that will speak for generations to come. I’m building altars and I am building people. In C.O.R.E Academy, I am building an altar unto the Lord. In each student I am building an altar, in every person I mentor or teach through my ministry, I am building an altar, so even when I am long gone, those altars will speak. Through my tv network and everything I do in the Lord and altar is being raised. In that I never die, I multiply.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coreacademykids.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1195722758377831
