SHS special education teacher Crystal Tumbleson was recently selected as the April Teacher of the Month by Katy Country 93.1 and Mad Rock 102.5. Photo by SISD Communication, Todd Kleiboer
SISD
Crystal Tumbleson received a pleasant surprise Monday in the form of an email from Zac Grantham, Texoma radio personality, announcing she had been selected as this month’s Teacher of the Month by 93.1 Katy Country and Mad Rock 102.5.
“I was a little embarrassed,” said Tumbleson, a SHS special education teacher. “The Friday before, I was awarded Teacher of the Week here at the high school.”
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Tumbleson moved to California years ago with her husband who was enlisted in the Marines. Her education career started as an classroom aide at a California school where she worked for eight years.
“I always knew I wanted to work with kids,” Tumbleson said. “At some point, I was placed in a special education classroom with autistic students, and I thought, this is where I belong.”
Tumbleson moved to Texas after her husband retired, and after traveling the world, it was a bit of “culture shock.” She has worked at SHS for four years and is in her second year of teaching.
“I love the culture in the school here,” Tumbleson said. “The administration here on campus is more understanding and willing to engage, and our kids get to do more things in the community than we did in California.”
When in the classroom, Tumbleson’s philosophy is “First Work, Then Play,” which translates well with the token economy system she has in her Structured Learning Classroom. Students complete five tasks for one token, which they can use for a reward.
“We all have to work, and then we can have our free time and can do the extra fun things,” Tumbleson said. “Some of us eat Goldfish, some watch YouTube videos, some go talk to friends, but we do our work first.”
Working in special education is unique, especially because Tumbleson’s classroom is self-contained, meaning each student has their own education program. Each day is different, she said, and she emphasizes peer socialization outside the classroom with her students.
“It’s important to have those opportunities to be typical high school kids,” Tumbleson said.
SISD Director of Special Education Dr. Jill Schurr praised Tumbleson for her work at the school.
"Crystal is an innovative teacher, who challenges her students to become independent and achieve their potential," Schurr said. "She is creative in her approach to engaging students and always looking for the opportunity to try something new that will benefit SISD students."
Watch her interview with Katy Country and Mad Rock:
