Crystal Buffington
Potomac
Summary
Experienced educator, curriculum designer, and ministry leader with over 18 years of teaching and program development experience across diverse educational and faith‑based settings. Brings a unique integration of pedagogical expertise and theological training through a Master of Divinity, shaping whole‑child learning that is academically rigorous, spiritually grounded, and culturally responsive. Provides skilled trauma‑informed care and perspective through work both domestically and abroad, creating healing‑centered environments where students feel safe, valued, and empowered. Experienced in IB Primary Years Programme implementation with direct contributions to IB accreditation and service on the IB Steering Committee. Grounded in Responsive Classroom and Positive Discipline practices, consistently builds inclusive, inquiry‑driven spaces that honor student identity and promote deep learning. As Director of Christian Education at Chesterbrook UMC, leads spiritually rich, developmentally appropriate programming for children and youth, fostering community, faith formation, and joyful engagement.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Christian Education
Chesterbrook UMC
08.2025 - Current
- Oversees the full scope of Christian education programming for children, youth, and families, ensuring all offerings reflect Wesleyan theology, spiritual growth, and inclusive community values.
- Designs and implements weekly Sunday School curriculum that is biblically grounded, developmentally appropriate, and engaging for diverse learners.
- Leads and mentors volunteer teachers, youth leaders, and ministry partners, providing training, resources, and ongoing support to strengthen instructional quality and spiritual care.
- Developed creative, child-centered lesson materials, visuals, and activities that made scripture accessible and engaging for diverse learners.
- Coordinates youth productions, seasonal programs, and special events-such as Christmas pageants, worship presentations, and service projects-ensuring students are involved in every step from brainstorming to performance.
- Builds strong relationships with families through consistent communication, pastoral presence, and collaborative problem-solving that supports children's spiritual and emotional well-being.
- Facilitated parent engagement through clear updates, invitations to participate, and opportunities for intergenerational connection, fostering a supportive church community.
- Manages logistics for educational programming, including scheduling, volunteer coordination, materials preparation, and space organization.
- Partnered with outside organizations, arts groups, and community leaders to enhance student learning and broaden the church's ministry reach.
Educator / Teacher
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
06.2019 - Current
- 2024 Recipient of The O'Neil-Carew Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching.
- Led project "Reimagining Our Social Studies Curriculum" to enhance representation of diverse African narratives before slavery and the Scramble for Africa.
- Developed and curated a museum exhibit for Black History Month, showcasing African and African-American achievements and narratives.
- 2022 Martin Luther King Chapel Presenter and 2023 Black History Month Chapel Presenter, sharing impactful messages with the community.
- Highly requested by parents and students due to exceptional teaching and engagement.
- Led PD entitled "Narratives of the Enslaved Taught Through a Trauma-Informed Lens".
- Presented at Emancipation Day event, engaging the audience with historical insights.
- Implements effective general education curricula across multiple subjects, ensuring high-quality instruction.
- Collaborates with teachers in grades 1-3 to create individualized instruction tailored to student needs.
- Trained in Positive Discipline and Responsive Classroom techniques in 2022, promoting constructive classroom management and student behavior strategies.
- Applied interpersonal communication strategies to foster students' social and emotional development.
- Developed comprehensive weekly lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards and focused on student learning objectives.
- Incorporate diverse instructional strategies to accommodate varied learning styles and abilities.
- Integrated feedback from learning specialists to refine teaching strategies.
- Monitors student progress and adjust lesson plans based on performance and feedback.
Educator / Teacher
Meridian Public Charter School
08.2016 - 01.2019
- Launched a schoolwide African American History Museum exhibit in partnership with DC community members and Dr. Eric Williams, Curator of the African American Museum of History and Culture (AAMHAC).
- Deliver high-quality instruction aligned with Meridian PCS curriculum frameworks, ensuring lessons are rigorous, engaging, and accessible to all learners.
- Utilized NWEA Map Testing insights to provide targeted small group instruction, enhancing student understanding and reducing achievement gaps.
- Collaborated with grade-level teams to design differentiated learning experiences, addressing diverse academic and social-emotional needs of students.
- Apply Positive Discipline strategies to cultivate a respectful, student-centered classroom culture that promotes responsibility, empathy, and self-regulation.
- Use data to inform instruction by analyzing student work and assessment results to adjust teaching and improve outcomes.
- Develop weekly lesson plans aligned with school standards, pacing guides, and learning objectives, integrating multiple modalities to reach varied learning styles.
- Partner with learning specialists and support staff to implement targeted interventions and ensure students receive individualized support.
- Lead parent-teacher conferences that strengthen family engagement and promote shared responsibility for student success.
- Contribute to a positive school community by modeling professionalism, collaboration, and a strong commitment to Meridian's mission and values.
Educator / Teacher
Mary McLeod Bethune Academy Public Charter School
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Designed and facilitated inquiry-driven learning experiences aligned with the PYP framework, encouraging students to explore concepts through questioning, investigation, and reflection.
- Integrated the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills into daily instruction to strengthen student agency, independence, and metacognitive growth.
- Developed transdisciplinary units that connected literacy, social studies, science, and the arts, helping students make meaningful real-world connections across subject areas.
- Contributed to school's IB accreditation process by developing program documentation, aligning instructional practices with PYP standards, and engaging in IB Steering Committee activities.
- Partnered with community historians, cultural leaders, and families to create an exhibit that reflected authentic voices and advanced PYP mission of fostering knowledgeable, caring, globally minded learners.
- Embedded reflection routines and student-led discussions to strengthen critical thinking and support the PYP emphasis on student voice and ownership.
- Created learning environments that encouraged curiosity, collaboration, and risk-taking, aligning classroom culture with PYP principles.
- Used formative assessments and student conferences to guide inquiry pathways, adjust instruction, and support individualized learning goals.
Education
Master of Arts - Divinity
Wesley Theological Seminary
Washington, D.C.05-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, History
North Park University
Chicago, IL05-2012
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Effective instruction strategies
- Trauma-informed care
- Inquiry-based learning
- Spiritual leadership
- Parent management
- Fundraising
- Event scheduling
- Team collaboration
- Leadership training
- Written communication
- Problem-solving
Volunteer Work, Affilation and Interests
- Duke University Summer Seminar Black Religious Autobiography, Durham, North Carolina, 2025
- African Studies Association Conference, Chicago, IL, 2024
- National Council for the Social Studies Conference, Boston, MA, 2024
- Passages and Philos Black Project, Israel and Palestine, 2022
- Caroline Wambui Mungai Foundation, Wangige, Kenya, 2012
Accomplishments
2024 Recipient of The O’Neil-Carew Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching.
Led the project "Reimagining Our Social Studies Curriculum" to include more diverse stories of the African continent before slavery and the Scramble for Africa.
Led the project "Reimagining Our Social Studies Curriculum" to include more diverse stories of the African continent before slavery and the Scramble for Africa.
Timeline
Director of Christian Education
Chesterbrook UMC
08.2025 - Current
Educator / Teacher
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
06.2019 - Current
Educator / Teacher
Meridian Public Charter School
08.2016 - 01.2019
Educator / Teacher
Mary McLeod Bethune Academy Public Charter School
01.2014 - 01.2016
Master of Arts - Divinity
Wesley Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, History
North Park University