A mom of four who decided to go to college when her eldest son received a diagnosis of autism in the 5th grade. She spent several years studying to receive her master of science in Special Education from Western Oregon University. After graduation, her family moved to Alaska where Crystal spent the first school year traveling to many of Alaska’s bush communities helping teachers and their students with multiple disabilities for SESA (Special Education Services Agency).
Crystal's professional talents range from instructional design and behavior management to ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, as well as multiple courses in diversity and culture (including an immersive experience in a Yupik fish camp). Crystal uses those unique experiences in her position as Rural Program Coordinator here at Camp Fire Alaska.
"All behavior is a form of communication and behavior goes where reinforcement flows."
The Camp Fire Alaska main office operates on the ancestral land of the Dena’ina people. Camp Fire Alaska runs programing on the lands of the Athabascan, Yup’ik, Chup’ik, Sougpiaq, and Inupiaq peoples. We value and thank them for their current and historic commitment to and protection of this land. We pledge to assist, in partnership, in the environmental stewardship of these lands. We strive to learn more about the history of the Native peoples of Alaska and the historic trauma they have suffered. We commit to being an active ally through activities, actions, and organizational decisions and practices. We understand that this is a dynamic process through which our Land Acknowledgement practices, and statement will evolve as we receive feedback from tribal partners and acquire a deeper understanding of and from the Native peoples of Alaska.
