Crystal Griffin
Cypress,Texas
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at KIPP Texas K-8, driving strategic planning and coaching that significantly improved student achievement. Renowned for developing innovative instructional systems and fostering strong relationships, resulting in multiple campuses exceeding growth targets. Committed to equity-centered leadership and dedicated to enhancing literacy outcomes for all students.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Schools
KIPP Texas K-8
Houston, Texas
07.2022 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership across multiple K-8 campuses, ensuring academic excellence, operational efficiency, and a positive school culture.
- Lead and develop school principals through coaching, feedback, and professional development aligned to instructional best practices.
- Drive student achievement through data-informed decision-making, school improvement planning, and monitoring key performance indicators.
- Oversee budget development, staffing allocations, and compliance with charter, district, and state regulations.
- Collaborate with regional leadership to align school goals with broader organizational mission and strategic initiatives.
- Foster strong partnerships with families, community organizations, and external stakeholders to support holistic student success.
- Champion an equity-centered approach to leadership that promotes high expectations and inclusive learning environments for all students.
Founding School Principal K-8
KIPP Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
06.2019 - 07.2022
- Working to build and maintain a strong, positive, results-oriented school culture where teachers believe and promote that all students can achieve by providing leadership for assessing and developing processes for improving climate and culture.
- Implementing, motivating, leading, and mentoring teachers to better instructional practices and increase content expertise to improve scholarly/student performance and rigorous expectations.
- Developing and implementing a plan that will ensure student achievement which will be supported by evidence through assessments such as benchmarks, classroom data, parent and student feedback and a plan to address students who are struggling.
- Created the school calendar, created and facilitated stakeholder events, accountability of the school budget, and ensuring student enrollment targets are met.
Founding Elementary School Principal
Democracy Prep Public Schools
Las Vegas, NV
07.2017 - 07.2019
- Created and supported the implementation of campus-specific goals and initiatives.
- Provided strong instructional coaching to teachers that move the needle on scholar achievement; evaluating lesson plans, observing classes, and leading professional development on a regular basis.
- Managed student disciplinary issues, oversaw the organization of school-wide events, and supported the school leader in all issues relating to the successful operation of the school.
- Lead in managing, evaluating, and implementing clear and effective procedures for the operation and functioning of the school including instructional programs, extracurricular activities, advisory and Town Hall programming, and discipline systems.
Manager for Teacher Leadership and Development
Teach for America Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
07.2015 - 06.2017
- Supported and fostered corps members' leadership development by helping them achieve their classroom visions.
- Observed corps member instruction in live-action, requiring independent travel to school sites during business hours including occasional meetings on evenings and weekends.
- Provided coaching to corps members on instructional techniques, classroom management, and curriculum in order for students to reach expanded outcomes while also coaching toward corps members’ long-term leadership and helping them connect their values and beliefs to their work.
- Helped corps members diagnose top needs in their classrooms based on student progress and student gaps in their learning.
- Created communities of collaboration among corps members.
- Built authentic relationships to connect with corps members' diverse styles, strengths, and needs.
Reading and Math Learning Strategist
Clark County School District
Las Vegas, NV
08.2012 - 06.2015
- Overseed the improvement of classroom testing programs.
- Facilitated the learning community activities to include goal setting, observing, coaching, modeling, conferencing, and staff development.
- Implemented the use of information technology in lesson preparation and teaching.
- Assisted In monitoring Professional Development Plans.
- Monitored the weekly and daily improvement of learning goals.
- Coordinate with school principals to provide teachers with feedback.
- Demonstrated effective teaching strategies in classrooms and professional learning communities.
- Encouraged parent involvement and new instructional materials in the classroom.
- Analyzed school-wide data to promote the importance of meeting the needs of at-risk students.
Elementary School Teacher
Houston Independent School District
Houston, TX
06.2010 - 08.2012
- Planned, prepared, and delivered lessons to all students in the class.
- Taught according to the educational needs, abilities, and achievement of the individual students and groups of students.
- Adopted and worked towards the implementation of the school development plan of the school.
- Assessed, recorded, and reported on the development, progress, attainment, and behavior of students.
- Provided or contributed to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual students or groups of students.
- Participated in arrangements within an agreed national framework for the appraisal of student performances.
- Encouraged parent involvement and new instructional materials in the classroom.
- Analyzed school-wide data to promote the importance of meeting the needs of at-risk students.
Education
Doctoral Candidate - Business Strategic Leadership and Design
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VAMasters - Curriculum and Instruction
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NVBachelors - Interdisciplinary Studies
Texas Southern University
Houston, TexasCorps Member -
Teach for America
Las Vegas12.2012
Skills
- Led strategic planning and coaching efforts across K-8 campuses, resulting in an increase in overall student achievement on benchmark assessments over three academic years
- Mentored and supported campus principals, resulting in three campuses exceeding growth targets, two leaders advancing TEA accountability ratings, and one principal being named Middle School Principal of the Year
- Oversaw instructional systems that led to a notable increase in literacy outcomes
- Turn-Around Schools: K-5 worked in two years, where students grew in reading, writing, and math
- Created an innovative reading intervention program for grades K-5
Accomplishments
- Innovative teaching methods alongside leadership competencies
- Effective use of multi-media teaching tools
- Exceptional written and verbal communicator
- Committed to cultivating student and adult leadership
- Effective design instructor for intervention programs
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Schools
KIPP Texas K-8
07.2022 - Current
Founding School Principal K-8
KIPP Minnesota
06.2019 - 07.2022
Founding Elementary School Principal
Democracy Prep Public Schools
07.2017 - 07.2019
Manager for Teacher Leadership and Development
Teach for America Las Vegas
07.2015 - 06.2017
Reading and Math Learning Strategist
Clark County School District
08.2012 - 06.2015
Elementary School Teacher
Houston Independent School District
06.2010 - 08.2012
Doctoral Candidate - Business Strategic Leadership and Design
Liberty University
Masters - Curriculum and Instruction
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Bachelors - Interdisciplinary Studies
Texas Southern University
Corps Member -
Teach for America