For children with English as a second language the first face they see in school is that of Crystal Whipkey. She teaches ESL in kindergarten, first and second grade to young people from the Middle East, China, Japan, Mexico and others to include ten different native languages.

Crystal taught multi-handicapped students for 16 years before moving to her current position nine years ago. She received her Bachelor’s degree from BGSU in Special Education. She went back to school and earned her Master’s from the University of Findlay in TESOL in 2005. She is also an adjunct professor teaching foreign students at Findlay in the Intensive English Language Program.

She moved to Findlay when her husband took a teaching position locally. She and Tom have been married 25 years. They have two daughters that have kept her busy with FFE show choir, Pantasia, orchestra and marching band. On top of that, Crystal volunteers at the new Marathon Arts building and enjoys relaxing with friends or watching Netflix.

Dr. Hirada, her TESAL professor taught her to be passionate and Ms. Famulare a fellow teacher in middle school showed her how teaching can be fascinating.

She strives to live by her favorite bible verse, Philippian 4:8 which helps her focus on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.