Mrs. Crystal Stroud has a track record of successful teaching in the Atlanta Public School system for the last 19 years. This New York City native moved to Atlanta, Ga to attend Spelman College in 2000.  While pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Economics, she discovered her passion for education by working with children through community service and mentoring.  She began her teaching career through Teach For America, an organization that confronts educational inequality by recruiting a diverse network of leaders. She later obtained her Masters of Science in Elementary Reading and Mathematics from Walden University.  She has experience teaching every elementary grade level except  fourth grade. Mrs. Stroud considers herself to be an invested  stakeholder because she is not only a teacher, but also a  proud parent of two Atlanta Public School scholars.  Having this dual role has presented many platforms for her to advocate for equity on behalf of students and teachers. From Title I to National Blue Ribbon awarded schools,  Mrs. Stroud has serviced a diverse population of children and families throughout the city of Atlanta.   She believes in teaching the whole child and is dedicated to preparing ALL students to be productive, responsible citizens in society. Mrs. Stroud most recently taught at Morningside Elementary and is excited to join the Virginia-Highland Elementary School family.