Shelly Crawford, Instructional Coach

Q. What made you want to work in education?

“When I was younger and I was in middle school I struggled with math, and really, I hated it, I struggled, struggled, struggled, until finally I had a teacher [who] helped me see and understand things in a different light and I was able to help my friends. Helping my friends that struggled the same way I did and being able to turn a light of understanding on for them, I was like ‘ Oh, this is my niche, man, this is where I need to be, teaching is my jam.’ [I decided] when I was in seventh grade, I was going to be a teacher.”

Q. How many years have you been working in education?

“This is my 28th year in education.”

Q. What made you decide to work at GCAA?

“An opportunity came along for me to use my artistic side and my education side as an instructional coach to help positively impact student learning. That was just something I couldn’t walk away from, getting to come and be creative, as well as help students and teachers; I just couldn’t pass it up.

Q. What’s one of your favorite hobbies?

“One of my favorite hobbies is singing. I love playing the piano and I love creating things out of paint, art and vinyl, creating t-shirts, woodwork and pieces of art to hang on the wall.”

Q. What are you most looking forward to this year?’

“I am most looking forward to seeing my first group of seniors graduate, now that I’ve gotten to know you guys, and I’m getting to connect with you, and see your talents, hear about your dream, I’m most looking forward to seeing that first group —now that we’re post COVID— graduate and head on off into college.”