I'm dr. crystal Laura. the education field's life coach.
Forever an educator. On a relentless pursuit of the schools students deserve; committed to finding comfort and joy in the journey. Driven by the belief that success is most meaningful when it's shared.
I'm the Chicago-based author, speaker, and coach behind the Education field's top performers. Very into: wild ambition, the ease of structure, and getting the good job done—peacefully. That girl since 1983.
ABOUT
What I stand for
Winning at Work
Real Support > Fake Love
Education Changes Lives
Check on the Strong Ones
Non-Negotiable: Peace
Belief, Then Receipts
dr. crystal laura
the education field's life coach
High school history teacher—turned full tenured professor of Educational Leadership—now life coach driving school change by sustaining the people who actually make it happen.
Your spirit has to be as good as your strategy. This is the lesson that each of us in the field should learn, but no School of Education teaches.
It's a costly omission. When we don't speak openly about and make room for the inner work that is required to thrive in Education, we normalize tapping out.
BEHIND
BRAND
the
Honestly? I started coaching because I just couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't stand idly by watching extraordinary colleagues losing their edge, taking forever to get urgent projects into the world, struggling to make the quality of their wellbeing match the depth of their contributions, when, um, they're not wellness experts. But damnit, I am.
And so, this business was born. The Fuel for Your Fire. Because I've seen how you move when you're feeling yourself, and I know what you can accomplish when the weight you carry isn't holding you back.
my revolutionary work
I earned a PhD at 28, while teaching high school history to formerly incarcerated adults on the West Side of Chicago.
01 / 10
my revolutionary work
In graduate school, I wrote an award-winning dissertation on the school-to-prison pipeline and turned it into my first book.
02 / 10
my revolutionary work
I moved to higher ed and became a twice promoted, tenured professor helping other Black educators earn doctorates.
03 / 10
my revolutionary work
I co-wrote a book, edited another, and published chapters in many colleagues' books to share widely what I've learned.
04 / 10
my revolutionary work
From book talks and conference keynotes, to PD trainings all across the U.S. and New Zealand, I've spoken truths to inspire action.
05/ 10
my revolutionary work
I've served in leadership roles for professional orgs, held a fellowship, and been a visiting prof just to build with others.
06 / 10
my revolutionary work
I belong to a community of changemakers who believe in hyping each other up (& holding each other down).
07 / 10
my revolutionary work
To stay in fighting shape, I studied, practiced, and taught yoga & meditation to educators, students, and youth advocates.
08 / 10
my revolutionary work
Along the way, I took notes, documenting the habits and systems that kept me cool, collected, and always ready to carry on.
09 / 10
my revolutionary work
Now, my clients get direct access to my nearly-two decades of experience in personal development as an Education professional.
10 / 10
let's do a quick
VIBE CHECK
favorite subject
freedom, of course
zodiac sign
Cap (aka: the goat)
never without my
planner
self care is
asking for help
take my money
Peloton
makeup
50% Tupac, 50% Deepak
order me
a mimosa, please
put me on a plane to
the caribbean
