Welcome to this community!

Crystal has always been an entrepreneur at heart! When she was six years old, she would draw pictures, paint rocks and sell lemonade to anyone who passed by. It’s no wonder that during her maternity leave while teaching, she opened a craft store with her mom, then several years later she started a franchise with her husband and then became a coach and consultant… all alongside her teaching and leadership career!

Crystal Atkinson took an uncommon path of becoming an Instructional Coach after being an administrator for five years. Her passion was helping the adults move their practice forward and new that in order to focus on the 20%, she needed to shed 80%. Crystal has taught everything from pre-kindergarten and Early English Language Learners through grade 12 - although most of her years were spent teaching grades 6 through 9. She has also worked as a student support teacher and literacy and math specialist. Crystal began her speaking and training journey as an Association Instructor for the Alberta Teachers’ Association, travelling across Alberta and into the NorthWest Territories facilitating workshops to school staff.

Crystal completed her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Education & Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge. Her leadership journey felt inevitable when she became the first student to stage manage a mainstage theatre show while completing her diploma in theatre studies at Red Deer College.

Crystal is passionate about supporting the leadership capacity of others and has been a part of several committees that supports this work, including being one of the founding members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s Women in Leadership committee.

Her deepest loves are her two daughters, both post-secondary students; her relationship with her husband and her Jack Russell Terrier dog, Ivy May. Crystal can be found playing in her garden, reading, walking and hiking in the mountains and camping during her self care time.

Growing up with very little, Crystal has experienced the power of a dream, persistence and community. She is so happy to welcome you to the Vibrantly You community, where she empowers you to level up, dream bigger and expand your impact.