Dr. Crystal Smith was recently hired by Calhoun County Schools to work as a Special Education Teacher at Arnoldsburg Elementary and Calhoun Middle Schools.
She and her family reside in Gilmer County. She is the mother of three children; Layla (11), Cody (7), and Ivy (21 months). She and her husband, Robert Smith, moved to Gilmer County in 2005. Crystal is a WV Native, growing up in Fayette County, WV and graduating from Fayetteville High School.
She has since earned a Bachelor Degree from Concord College in Elementary Education, Multi-Subject (K-8), a Master's Degree from Marshall University, Multi-categorical Special Education including Autism, K-Adult, and an Education Doctorate from West Virginia University in Special Education/Personnel Preparation with a concentration in Instructional Design and Technology.
Crystal most enjoys spending time with her family. Her two older children are actively involved in Little Pioneer Sports (football, cheerleading, wrestling and basketball). They also play baseball and softball in Gilmer County's recreation league, and her daughter plays for Crush, a travel softball team.
She and her husband were both college athletes. Crystal played softball and soccer while attending Concord College. Her husband played football. When they are not carting the kids to ballgames, they enjoy summers on the lakes and rivers kayaking. They enjoy traveling, camping, fishing and gatherings with family and friends.
Crystal has a wide range of experiences in education. She worked briefly for WV Birth-to-Three as a Service Coordinator. She has a combined 16 years of teaching experience: 4 years teaching in elementary schools, 4 years teaching in middle schools, 2 years teaching in high schools, and 2 years teaching GED in a federal prison. Crystal also has 4 years of experience teaching at the collegiate level. She worked 3 years as a professor at Fairmont State University and 1 year at Glenville State College.
She is most proud of a program she developed while at Fairmont State University. Crystal, alongside another colleague, developed and co-directed the AIMSS (Autism Individualized Mentoring and Support Services) program; a program for college students on the autism spectrum. The program is one of only a few nationwide to provide intensive supports to students with autism at the collegiate level.
Crystal is eager to begin her work in Calhoun County and looks forward to getting to know new colleagues, students, and parents. She is looking forward to a great school year. | 
