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Crystal Rasnake
Location
District Harrison, Abingdon, VA
Running For
School Board
Affiliation
Independent
"Crystal Rasnake: Family-focused, experienced leader for a better school system."
Issues
equity for all children
With a poverty rate of 13.6% and 37% of Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with mental health and substance use conditions in Washington County, we must ensure that every child can get the support and resources they need to achieve their educational goals. I have worked firsthand with families from Washington County and have seen the struggles some of them face. The key behind this is building meaningful relationships.
recruiting and retaining all staff
It also takes a village to raise a child. We must ensure all the employees know how much they are valued, respected, and appreciated. We also need to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed and take care of themselves mentally and physically.
This includes having more direct access to behavioral health experts in the schools and classrooms
A better understanding of learning styles, disabilities, and mental health disorders will help teachers individualize support for children and start interventions earlier. We also need to understand that all behavior is a form of communication. By focusing on what the behavior tells us, we can address unmet needs and missing skills, which will reduce behavior problems in the classroom.
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#CRasnake2023
Endorsements
No endorsements available.
Candidate info
About me
Crystal Rasnake is a lifelong resident of Washington County and has lived in the Harrison District for 13 years. With a Bachelor's degree in Human Services and years of experience in early childhood education, she has worked diligently to ensure that young learners can access high-quality childcare and education options. Crystal's commitment to her community is evident through her involvement in various organizations such as the Washington County Prevention Coalition and the Washington County School's Special Education Advisory Committee. She is also an active member of her church and values spending quality time with her family, whether it's attending baseball games, fishing, or being a band mom. Crystal Rasnake's dedication to the well-being and education of children, as well as her strong ties to her community, make her a trustworthy candidate for the School Board.
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Why I'm Running
I am running for School Board in Harrison as a member of the Independent party because I am deeply committed to the success and well-being of our students. As a lifelong resident of Washington County and a mother of two boys attending school in the district, I understand the importance of a quality education. With my experience in early childhood education and my current role as the Manager of Coordinated Enrollment and Mixed Delivery for United Way of Southwest VA, I have the necessary knowledge and skills to advocate for our youngest learners and ensure they have access to high-quality childcare and education options. I am dedicated to collaboration and have proven my ability to work with multiple stakeholders. I have also demonstrated my commitment to community service through my involvement in various organizations and my active participation in my church. I am passionate about making positive changes in our school system and earning the trust and support of our community.
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Current Occupation
Manger of Coordinated Enrollment and Mixed Delivery
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Past Experience
I am a lifelong resident of Washington County and have lived in the Harrison District for 13 years. My husband works in maintenance for Washington County Schools and is an assistant baseball coach at Abingdon High. We have two boys, one attends Greendale Elementary, and the other attends Abingdon High School.
I graduated from Abingdon High School, obtained my Associate’s degree from Virginia Highlands Community College, and obtained my Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Bluefield College. I have worked the past year and a half for United Way of Southwest VA as the Manager of Coordinated Enrollment and Mixed Delivery, serving all of Southwest VA. This requires much collaboration with multiple stakeholders to ensure that our youngest learners can access high-quality childcare and education options. Before this, I worked for 8 years at People Inc. in Early Childhood Education. During this time, I worked as a Family Advocate, ERSEA Specialist (Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility, and Attendance), and Mental Health/Disabilities Specialist. I also contributed to a 5-year strategic plan, a data analysis team, and an employee engagement council. I serve on the Washington County Prevention Coalition and the Washington County School's Special Education Advisory Committee. I graduated from the Washington County Leadership program in 2020. I volunteered for a year with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). I was recently elected to serve on the Virginia Head Start Association Board.
I am a Christian and actively involved in my church. I love spending time with my family, including going to baseball games, fishing, and being a band mom! I look forward to learning more about our community and hope to earn your trust and vote.
Read more
Fun Fact
I love spending time with my family. This includes fishing, football and baseball games and I am a band mom.
Read more
Issues
equity for all children
With a poverty rate of 13.6% and 37% of Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with mental health and substance use conditions in Washington County, we must ensure that every child can get the support and resources they need to achieve their educational goals. I have worked firsthand with families from Washington County and have seen the struggles some of them face. The key behind this is building meaningful relationships.
recruiting and retaining all staff
It also takes a village to raise a child. We must ensure all the employees know how much they are valued, respected, and appreciated. We also need to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed and take care of themselves mentally and physically.
This includes having more direct access to behavioral health experts in the schools and classrooms
A better understanding of learning styles, disabilities, and mental health disorders will help teachers individualize support for children and start interventions earlier. We also need to understand that all behavior is a form of communication. By focusing on what the behavior tells us, we can address unmet needs and missing skills, which will reduce behavior problems in the classroom.
No endorsements available.
Candidate info
About me
Crystal Rasnake is a lifelong resident of Washington County and has lived in the Harrison District for 13 years. With a Bachelor's degree in Human Services and years of experience in early childhood education, she has worked diligently to ensure that young learners can access high-quality childcare and education options. Crystal's commitment to her community is evident through her involvement in various organizations such as the Washington County Prevention Coalition and the Washington County School's Special Education Advisory Committee. She is also an active member of her church and values spending quality time with her family, whether it's attending baseball games, fishing, or being a band mom. Crystal Rasnake's dedication to the well-being and education of children, as well as her strong ties to her community, make her a trustworthy candidate for the School Board.
Why I'm Running
I am running for School Board in Harrison as a member of the Independent party because I am deeply committed to the success and well-being of our students. As a lifelong resident of Washington County and a mother of two boys attending school in the district, I understand the importance of a quality education. With my experience in early childhood education and my current role as the Manager of Coordinated Enrollment and Mixed Delivery for United Way of Southwest VA, I have the necessary knowledge and skills to advocate for our youngest learners and ensure they have access to high-quality childcare and education options. I am dedicated to collaboration and have proven my ability to work with multiple stakeholders. I have also demonstrated my commitment to community service through my involvement in various organizations and my active participation in my church. I am passionate about making positive changes in our school system and earning the trust and support of our community.
Current Occupation
Manger of Coordinated Enrollment and Mixed Delivery
Past Experience
I am a lifelong resident of Washington County and have lived in the Harrison District for 13 years. My husband works in maintenance for Washington County Schools and is an assistant baseball coach at Abingdon High. We have two boys, one attends Greendale Elementary, and the other attends Abingdon High School.
I graduated from Abingdon High School, obtained my Associate’s degree from Virginia Highlands Community College, and obtained my Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Bluefield College. I have worked the past year and a half for United Way of Southwest VA as the Manager of Coordinated Enrollment and Mixed Delivery, serving all of Southwest VA. This requires much collaboration with multiple stakeholders to ensure that our youngest learners can access high-quality childcare and education options. Before this, I worked for 8 years at People Inc. in Early Childhood Education. During this time, I worked as a Family Advocate, ERSEA Specialist (Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility, and Attendance), and Mental Health/Disabilities Specialist. I also contributed to a 5-year strategic plan, a data analysis team, and an employee engagement council. I serve on the Washington County Prevention Coalition and the Washington County School's Special Education Advisory Committee. I graduated from the Washington County Leadership program in 2020. I volunteered for a year with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). I was recently elected to serve on the Virginia Head Start Association Board.
I am a Christian and actively involved in my church. I love spending time with my family, including going to baseball games, fishing, and being a band mom! I look forward to learning more about our community and hope to earn your trust and vote.
Fun Fact
I love spending time with my family. This includes fishing, football and baseball games and I am a band mom.