Crystal Elliott-O'Connor, MAT ECE, M Div. FCC
Professional Development Coordinator, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation at ILLINOIS NETWORK OF CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCIES- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Miki Howald
Crystal's knowledge and passion for early childhood inform her work at every level. Her understanding of what elements are key to a successful program and how to describe them in measurable terms has made collaborating on grant writing a seamless process. Together, we have developed and secured funding for projects for early literacy, family literacy, and professional development. Additionally, as a trainer, Crystal is engaging and flexible in her approach so that she can meet her audience where they are and bring them to a new level of knowledge.
Celita Jamison
Crystal and I have worked together for several years at Family Focus. Crystal has demonstrated an encyclopedic knowledge of child development theory and application. Her experience as a classroom teacher and later as a director of a Head Start program has equipped her with the ability to provide detailed and specific recommendations to Early Childhood staff that work at our various centers. Additionally, she is an excellent trainer. I have attended workshops facilitated by Crystal and she communicates information clearly, in an interesting manner and sprinkled with anecdotal information to facilitate understanding. As colleagues working on the same team I consider her to be reliable, dependable with excellent written and oral skills and a positive contributor to group efforts.
Miki Howald
Crystal's knowledge and passion for early childhood inform her work at every level. Her understanding of what elements are key to a successful program and how to describe them in measurable terms has made collaborating on grant writing a seamless process. Together, we have developed and secured funding for projects for early literacy, family literacy, and professional development. Additionally, as a trainer, Crystal is engaging and flexible in her approach so that she can meet her audience where they are and bring them to a new level of knowledge.
Celita Jamison
Crystal and I have worked together for several years at Family Focus. Crystal has demonstrated an encyclopedic knowledge of child development theory and application. Her experience as a classroom teacher and later as a director of a Head Start program has equipped her with the ability to provide detailed and specific recommendations to Early Childhood staff that work at our various centers. Additionally, she is an excellent trainer. I have attended workshops facilitated by Crystal and she communicates information clearly, in an interesting manner and sprinkled with anecdotal information to facilitate understanding. As colleagues working on the same team I consider her to be reliable, dependable with excellent written and oral skills and a positive contributor to group efforts.
Miki Howald
Crystal's knowledge and passion for early childhood inform her work at every level. Her understanding of what elements are key to a successful program and how to describe them in measurable terms has made collaborating on grant writing a seamless process. Together, we have developed and secured funding for projects for early literacy, family literacy, and professional development. Additionally, as a trainer, Crystal is engaging and flexible in her approach so that she can meet her audience where they are and bring them to a new level of knowledge.
Celita Jamison
Crystal and I have worked together for several years at Family Focus. Crystal has demonstrated an encyclopedic knowledge of child development theory and application. Her experience as a classroom teacher and later as a director of a Head Start program has equipped her with the ability to provide detailed and specific recommendations to Early Childhood staff that work at our various centers. Additionally, she is an excellent trainer. I have attended workshops facilitated by Crystal and she communicates information clearly, in an interesting manner and sprinkled with anecdotal information to facilitate understanding. As colleagues working on the same team I consider her to be reliable, dependable with excellent written and oral skills and a positive contributor to group efforts.
Miki Howald
Crystal's knowledge and passion for early childhood inform her work at every level. Her understanding of what elements are key to a successful program and how to describe them in measurable terms has made collaborating on grant writing a seamless process. Together, we have developed and secured funding for projects for early literacy, family literacy, and professional development. Additionally, as a trainer, Crystal is engaging and flexible in her approach so that she can meet her audience where they are and bring them to a new level of knowledge.
Celita Jamison
Crystal and I have worked together for several years at Family Focus. Crystal has demonstrated an encyclopedic knowledge of child development theory and application. Her experience as a classroom teacher and later as a director of a Head Start program has equipped her with the ability to provide detailed and specific recommendations to Early Childhood staff that work at our various centers. Additionally, she is an excellent trainer. I have attended workshops facilitated by Crystal and she communicates information clearly, in an interesting manner and sprinkled with anecdotal information to facilitate understanding. As colleagues working on the same team I consider her to be reliable, dependable with excellent written and oral skills and a positive contributor to group efforts.
Experience
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ILLINOIS NETWORK OF CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCIES
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United States
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Individual and Family Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Professional Development Coordinator, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
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Jun 2021 - Present
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RISE Center for Liberation in Early Childhood Education
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Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
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Managing Director, Content and Curriculum
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Sep 2020 - Present
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Get Back 2 Basics! Early Childhood Training and Professional Development
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Greater Chicago Area
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National Trainer
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Jun 2018 - Present
Educators who engage with me come away with deeper knowledge and great inspiration to do authentic, meaningful and sustainable work with young children. I inspire educators to reflect, to be authentic, to ask the right questions, to keep learning, and to take action! Educators who engage with me come away with deeper knowledge and great inspiration to do authentic, meaningful and sustainable work with young children. I inspire educators to reflect, to be authentic, to ask the right questions, to keep learning, and to take action!
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Speak Up
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Greater Chicago Area
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Co Facilitator
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Sep 2020 - Apr 2023
In this role I get to bring together my love for early childhood and skill in adult education to support parents and others who work with young children. We help adults build knowledge and language to talk with young children effectively about race, racism, and social justice and race equity. Our sessions are tailored to providing the right understanding and language for parents, and I bring that added factor of supporting the adults along their own journey of coming to know and own the truth about structural racism. Show less
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Triton College
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Adjunct Professor
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Jul 2019 - May 2021
Influencing and shaping the BEST pre-service teachers for the BEST possible work with young children and their families. I utilize engaging, progressive teaching strategies that marry foundational early learning theory into current classroom practices. I hold students accountable to the "3-year-old" we all bring with us. Influencing and shaping the BEST pre-service teachers for the BEST possible work with young children and their families. I utilize engaging, progressive teaching strategies that marry foundational early learning theory into current classroom practices. I hold students accountable to the "3-year-old" we all bring with us.
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Relay Graduate School of Education
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United States
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Higher Education
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200 - 300 Employee
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Adjunct Professor
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Jul 2019 - May 2021
I have the privilege of shaping and influencing some of today's brightest, most promising teachers for the causes of progressive practice and equity in early childhood education. I use a blend of traditional and progressive teaching strategies to urge students toward engagement with, and accountability to, the preschooler we all carry with us. I have the privilege of shaping and influencing some of today's brightest, most promising teachers for the causes of progressive practice and equity in early childhood education. I use a blend of traditional and progressive teaching strategies to urge students toward engagement with, and accountability to, the preschooler we all carry with us.
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YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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100 - 200 Employee
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Director, Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships
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Jul 2017 - Jun 2018
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YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior Director, Early Learning Programs
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Sep 2016 - Jul 2017
Daily, innovative oversight of early care and education of children 0-5, in a progressive, Demonstration Center setting Daily, innovative oversight of early care and education of children 0-5, in a progressive, Demonstration Center setting
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Childcare Network of Evanston
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Programs
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Dec 2014 - Sep 2016
Implementation oversight of three early care and education programs that serve families with young children prenatal-age five. Implementation oversight of three early care and education programs that serve families with young children prenatal-age five.
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Family Focus
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United States
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Individual and Family Services
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100 - 200 Employee
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Associate Director of Early Childhood Development
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Sep 2006 - Nov 2014
*Responsible for the overall operations of EC programs and initiatives at 6 family support centers in the Chicagoland area. I work as part of an integrated team of staff members, evaluators, center directors and corporate support staff to ensure quality and best practices of the work we do with young children and their families. Additionally I maintain oversight of the Hug-a-Book early literacy initiative which involves overseeing the daily operations of the program including supervision of 12 literacy consultants, management of teacher/administrator relationships and oversight for collaboration with the Midwest Learning Center and Family Focus, Inc. As part of both roles I am involved in identfying, proposing for and managing both private and public grant funding to support our programs. Show less
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Adjunct Instructor, City Colleges of Chicago, DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago
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Sep 2005 - Jun 2010
In this role I design and implement curriculum that fosters theory, supports best-practices and facilitates a pathway to careers in teaching and other positions in the arena of early childhood education. In this role I design and implement curriculum that fosters theory, supports best-practices and facilitates a pathway to careers in teaching and other positions in the arena of early childhood education.
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Chicago Public Schools
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United States
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Education Administration Programs
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700 & Above Employee
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Early Childhood Consultant
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Jul 2005 - Sep 2006
*Spent one year consulting in early literacy and classroom management as part of a pilot program within the CPS pre-kindergarten and community partnerships programs. *Spent one year consulting in early literacy and classroom management as part of a pilot program within the CPS pre-kindergarten and community partnerships programs.
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Candidate
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Sep 2004 - Jul 2005
Next Generation Chicago Leaders is a credentialing program for Early Childhood Center Directors and other potential leaders in the field. Candidates are chosen specifically by a board of qualified leaders and are mentored through an 18-month program for focused goals, greater success and national recognition as a leader and change agent in the field. Next Generation Chicago Leaders is a credentialing program for Early Childhood Center Directors and other potential leaders in the field. Candidates are chosen specifically by a board of qualified leaders and are mentored through an 18-month program for focused goals, greater success and national recognition as a leader and change agent in the field.
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Center Director
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Jun 2004 - Jul 2005
Responsible for daily operations at Dr. Effie O. Ellis Head Start Training Center of National Louis University, a 2-classroom, 40-child capacity best practice demonstration site. Managed a 9- person staff of professionals, a budget in excess of $300,000.00 and several boards and committees associated with the center. Responsible for daily operations at Dr. Effie O. Ellis Head Start Training Center of National Louis University, a 2-classroom, 40-child capacity best practice demonstration site. Managed a 9- person staff of professionals, a budget in excess of $300,000.00 and several boards and committees associated with the center.
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National Louis University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Early Childhood Classroom Teacher
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Sep 1990 - Jul 2002
*During these 12 years I served in the two best-practice demonstration schools of National Louis University, Baker Demonstration School (1990-2000) and Dr. Effie O. Ellis Head Start Training Center (2000-2002). Beginning as an assistant teacher in the nursery class at Baker, I eventually served as a co-teacher, lead teacher and after school program coordinator. During my tenure I designed and implemented new and innovative programs, activities and techniques for working with young children in the classroom setting. Show less
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Education
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2002 - 2004
National Louis University
Master of Arts, Teaching -
1986 - 1990
National Louis University
Bachelor of Arts, English, Social Science -
2010 - 2016
Northern Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Congregational Care, Incarnate Communities of Practice
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