Chrystal Abernathy

Chrystal Abernathy has been working in education since 2010. She began her career teaching 7th grade science and was selected by the National Science Teachers Association for a fellowship as the only teacher in Alabama to receive it, later earning school and district recognition for outstanding excellence. Abernathy taught science in Memphis, Tennessee, where she worked with English as a second language students and refugees, served on the principal advisory board, acted as team lead, and transitioned to an instructional support advisor role providing guidance on Next Generation Science Standards. She trained educators district-wide and statewide in Tennessee before returning to Alabama in 2018 due to family circumstances. Since 2019, she has worked with the GEAR UP Jefferson County federal grant, advancing to lead the program in 2022, which focuses on career readiness and breaking the cycle of poverty through education for underserved students. Abernathy earned her bachelor's degree from Tuskegee University, her master's from University of Montevallo, her education specialist degree from Freed Hardeman University, and is currently pursuing her doctorate at Freed Hardeman University. She serves as a board member for Tarrant City Schools, Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, and the National Association for Multicultural Education. She is also a member of the Junior League of Birmingham and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Abernathy is in the early phases of founding ACE Academy, the Abernathy Center for Exceptional Education, a school for students with special needs that integrates therapies into the instructional day. She attributes her success to her resilience and tenacity in overcoming challenges and building effective systems.