Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Certification
Community
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Crystal Thompson

Gloucester,VA

Summary

Highly qualified and dedicated Special Education professional with extensive experience supporting students with diverse needs and empowering educators to excel in inclusive environments. Currently serving as a Division Special Education Specialist, leveraging expertise in communication, problem-solving, and collaboration to provide strategic guidance and coaching to educators. Adept at data analysis to inform instructional decisions, track student progress, and implement evidence-based practices that drive positive outcomes. A proactive leader committed to fostering a culture of continuous growth, equipping teams with the skills and tools to meet the needs of all learners effectively. Skilled in building relationships with stakeholders, resolving complex challenges, and promoting equitable access to education for all students.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Special Education Instructional Specialist

Gloucester County Public Schools
07.2023 - Current
  • Plan and lead new special education teacher training for the division; participate in collaborative walkthroughs with building administration, specialists and division personnel; collect, analyze and represent students with disabilities data to identify trends, determine supports that are needed, and plan for implementation of supports; assist teachers with analyzing assessment data to inform instructional planning; provide support for effective instructional and behavioral strategies; provide training and modeling on co-teaching and inclusive best practices; assist teachers with developing effective classroom management strategies; observe teachers during specialized instruction to provide support and ongoing feedback for professional growth; collaborate with division content specialists; collaborate with division special education specialists to ensure procedure and compliance are being followed during instructional practices; develop guidance resources for instructional supports targeting specific disabilities

Division Liaison

VCU-RRTC Customized Behavior Application Training
07.2023 - Current
  • Provide ongoing support and training for staff working with students with autism spectrum disorder, enhance the skill set of teachers working with students with autism spectrum disorder, observe students with challenging behaviors in the classroom and provide suggestions and feedback to support the teacher, staff, and student, analyze data and provide feedback to support behavioral interventions

Multi Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) Team Member

Gloucester County Public Schools
09.2018 - Current
  • Discuss strategies to improve school culture, develop positive methods to address behavior concerns among students, create a matrix to highlight school expectations using positive language, make data informed decisions to aid in positive student outcomes, both academically and behaviorally, provided instructional strategies for economically disadvantaged students

Group Leader

William and Mary SURN Novice Teacher Academy
09.2019 - Current
  • Discuss best teaching practices, promote a positive and optimistic view of teaching and learning, model teaching strategies, create a safe space for learning and sharing, help promote retention for novice teachers

Special Education Teacher

Gloucester High School
08.2016 - 07.2023
  • Co-teach Algebra and Foundations of Algebra to general education and special education high school students, re-teach and review foundational skills, help create and adapt engaging and differentiated lessons and assessments, tutor students during, and after school, plan for and teach small groups, participate in professional development to improve teaching strategies, collaborate with team to share best practices, maintain a caseload, build and maintain relationships with families, students, and colleagues, write Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for students, conduct IEP meetings, deliver differentiated curriculum to students in a co-taught setting

Special Education Department Chair

Gloucester High School
08.2020 - 07.2023
  • Share strategies and emphasize the importance of positive interactions with other teachers, students, and parents, support special education and general education teachers on planning and implementing differentiated lessons and assignments, provide feedback and encouragement on co-teaching practices, lead monthly department meetings to share relevant information on current best practices in special education and division level expectations, collaborate with school-based administration, the leadership team, and division leaders to make data informed decisions related to special education in the classroom, provide assistance with IEP writing and implementation

Senior Class Sponsor

Gloucester High School
09.2019 - 06.2023
  • Organize and lead local service events for the senior class to participate in, facilitate meetings with senior class officers, organize luncheons to recognize teachers and staff, plan and organize fundraisers, plan prom and graduation

Teacher Mentor

Gloucester High School
09.2018 - 06.2023
  • Provide support to a new special education teachers, share resources, assist new and less experienced special education teachers on IEP writing and implementation, provide support with co-teaching best practices, assist with classroom management, provide feedback, assist with technology including VA IEP

Conference Presenter

Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children (TED CEC)
11.2019
  • Co-presented at the teacher education conference on best co-teaching practices in a mathematics class that focuses on how student engagement, collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families, lesson planning strategies, and classroom structure facilitate the success of students

Conference Presenter

William and Mary Math Day
10.2019
  • Co-presented at a session for middle and high school teachers on best co-teaching practices in a mathematics class that focuses on meeting students where they are academically, setting appropriate goals, and implementing small groups to target individual needs as effective methods to teach content and personal development

Division Professional Development (PD) Leader

Gloucester High School
04.2019
  • Created a professional video on best co-teaching practices to be shared throughout the division, modeled best co-teaching practices for middle school teachers through observations and follow-up conversations

Department Professional Development (PD) Leader

Gloucester High School
10.2018
  • Presented best practices on direct vocabulary instruction to advanced, general, and special needs students, and shared student work samples and activities and templates that could be used across the math department, participated in professional development on implementation of the Read 180 reading intervention program for special education students

Education

Master of Science - Special Education

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
12.2017

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
05.2015

Associate Degree - Liberal Arts

Danville Community College
Danville, VA
07.2002

Certification

Commonwealth of Virginia Postgraduate Professional License, Special Education K-12

Community

  • Club Administrator, Baystars FC, Gloucester, VA, 04/01/20 - 06/01/22, Maintain and manage all club records, Create and manage registrations, Create player cards, Order uniforms, coaches gear and equipment, Schedule lights, reserve fields, Communicate pertinent information to coaches and managers, Manage club and group emails, Declare teams and fields, Communicate with families, Update social media pages, Liaison between neighboring clubs
  • Club Representative, Tidewater Advanced Soccer League (TASL), Chesapeake, VA, 04/01/20 - 06/01/22, Assist with creating, reviewing, and updating board policies, Declare teams, Upload team and club documents, Manage field and schedule changes, Communicate club concerns, Facilitate soccer related discussion, Vote on policy changes and updates

Awards

Teacher Of The Year, 2020-2021 School Year

Timeline

Special Education Instructional Specialist

Gloucester County Public Schools
07.2023 - Current

Division Liaison

VCU-RRTC Customized Behavior Application Training
07.2023 - Current

Special Education Department Chair

Gloucester High School
08.2020 - 07.2023

Conference Presenter

Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children (TED CEC)
11.2019

Conference Presenter

William and Mary Math Day
10.2019

Group Leader

William and Mary SURN Novice Teacher Academy
09.2019 - Current

Senior Class Sponsor

Gloucester High School
09.2019 - 06.2023

Division Professional Development (PD) Leader

Gloucester High School
04.2019

Department Professional Development (PD) Leader

Gloucester High School
10.2018

Multi Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) Team Member

Gloucester County Public Schools
09.2018 - Current

Teacher Mentor

Gloucester High School
09.2018 - 06.2023

Special Education Teacher

Gloucester High School
08.2016 - 07.2023

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Liberty University

Associate Degree - Liberal Arts

Danville Community College

Master of Science - Special Education

Liberty University
Crystal Thompson