Her Story
About Crystal
Crystal D. Cofield serves as an Engagement Specialist and Teacher for the nonprofit Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency in the Westwood School District. She has held this role for 12 years and brings nearly 28 years of experience in the field. Her work focuses on social and emotional learning, an engineering program for interested students, tutoring in math and comprehension during homework time, and instruction in sign language. She targets support for students with special needs by meeting them where they are and breaking them into groups for targeted help. Cofield began with some college before earning her cosmetologist license at State College of Beauty. After a carpal tunnel injury, she worked at Myers Elementary in Taylor, Michigan, starting as a lunch aide and advancing to administrator of the free lunch program. She later obtained her Michigan Youth Development Association credential through the Michigan After School Partnership Program at Michigan State University around 2022 and joined Wayne Metro, where her work ethic led to the creation of her current engagement specialist position. Cofield attributes her success to her passion for making an impact on those she serves and changing the trajectory of their lives, guided by empathy that leads her to consider what she would want if it were her or her son in their position. She values pursuing one's passion, as taught by her mother, and encourages young women to support one another using their experiences to guide others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Crystal
01What do you attribute your success to?
My passion for making an impact on the people I serve and changing the trajectory of their lives. At the end of the day, I want to hear the Lord say well done for what I set out to do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Pursue my passion. My mother taught us to pursue our passions and find our niche, no matter what we wanted to do.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Encourage and support one another. Use your experiences to guide others to success, as others have done for me with my credentials and work.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empathy. I try to put myself in the position of the parents and students I deal with, asking what if it was me or my son.
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