Mrs. Crystal Bartels: uplifting students for success

Mrs. Crystal Bartels recently switched from her role as a Modern World History, United States History, and Evolutions Teacher to a mentor at the Center for Student Success, marking her twenty-sixth year of teaching.  

Bartel's hometown is Greenville, New York, about an hour and a half outside of New York City.

Before Bartels' joined the high school, where she has been for nineteen years, she taught in two other districts: Wakefield High School in Raleigh, North Carolina for two years and Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, New York for four years.

For her first twelve years as a teacher at the high school, Bartels taught as a History teacher, teaching mostly tenth and eleventh graders. 

Bartels co-taught alongside Mr. Zachary Nicol, teaching in an eleventh grade class.

Bartel’s favorite part about teaching is the connection with students and the love for her colleagues. 

One of the benefits Bartels held for students enrolled in the Evolutions Program was the importance of creating a close knit community.

“Students took more risks because they were more comfortable,” said Bartels

Bartels was then asked to choose what she preferred more, her role as a teacher in the Center for Student Success or her previous role as an Evolutions teacher.

“I could never answer that question…I loved the program…I do think that my time in Evolutions really prepared me for this position,” Bartels said. “I loved the program. I loved the interdisciplinary work. I loved the community-minded aspect of that,” she said.

One quote that stuck with Bartels is “believe,” a mantra from one of her favorite shows, “Ted Lasso.” 

“I think students get really discouraged when they fail at something…this idea of believing that you have strength to be able to do it, but also that it is okay if you are not good at something now,” says Bartels. 

She hopes this phrase can encourage her students to try their best, even when it may seem difficult.

Bartels has always wanted to be a teacher. Her passion for teaching was driven by awesome teachers that made her want to pursue a career in the field.