Hi, my name is Crystal Draper-Thornton, an 18-year veteran in the education sector. Welcome to 5th Grade, I know you are going to love my class in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  Science and Social Studies are my passion.  I am a graduate of Fort Valley State University where I received my BS in Veterinarian Science and Certification in Middle School Education and Argosy University, where I received my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Specialist in Leadership.

I have taught domestically and abroad, and several nationalities, including Arabic, Egyptian, and Jordanian children.  I love children and love my career, which has afforded me to travel to several countries:  Cairo, Giza, Egypt, Zanzibar, Africa; Dubia, Ras AlKhama,  and Abu Dhabi, UAE; Phuket, Thialand; Paris, France; London, England; Santorini and Athens, Greece; El Salvador, South America; Venice and Rome, Italy, and my latest adventure to Negril, Jamaica.

Throughout my travels and journeys, I have donated to orphanages, built schools, managed foreign teachers, and been on some of the best administrative teams ever.  I hope to entice your students this year with a rich and structured culture of educational excellence during my residence here at Oakland Elementary.