Ms. O is thrilled to continue her work as both the Kindergarten teacher and librarian at Syringa Mountain School. A Hailey resident for 17 years, she loves living in the mountains with her husband, Matt, and their three children: Samuel, Sarah, and Mabel.
Crystal holds degrees in general studies, library science, and early childhood education, as well as Waldorf teacher certifications for both early childhood (preschool and kindergarten) and grades 1–12. Since joining Syringa in 2017, she has dedicated herself to fostering a love of learning, creativity, and curiosity in her students.
In her Kindergarten classroom, Crystal blends the Waldorf philosophy with her deep understanding of early childhood development. She creates a warm and nurturing environment where children learn through hands-on activities, storytelling, song, movement, and plenty of time outdoors. Her program emphasizes social-emotional growth, a love of nature, and the development of strong foundational skills that set students up for success in the grades.
Alongside her classroom work, Crystal launched Syringa’s library program in 2018 and has worked tirelessly to grow and enrich it. Starting with a small collection, she has developed the library into a vibrant hub for the school community. Crystal is passionate about fostering a love of reading in every child and thoughtfully curates a collection that inspires curiosity, celebrates diverse voices, and supports students’ learning journeys.
Crystal believes deeply in the power of stories to connect and inspire. As she says, “Everyone is a reader… some just haven’t found their favorite book yet.”
She finds great joy in guiding children as they grow into curious, compassionate, and capable learners and is honored to support them during these formative years both in the classroom and in the library.
Fun Fact: She grew up in Alaska, where she learned how to dog-sled in high school!