Crystal Barbour Russell completed her EDS in Curriculum and Instruction in 2014 from Piedmont College.  Before this, she earned her M.Ed. in Secondary Education / English at Georgia College and State University in 2009.  She graduated from Mercer University in 1989 with a BA in communication, and later added a certificate in Secondary English Education from Mercer in 1993.  That same year Mrs. Russell began teaching at Southwest High School in Bibb County, where she taught 9^th, 10^th, American Lit, Drama, and SAT Prep.  After arriving at Houston County High School in 2001, she completed her gifted certification and earned her Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement. Over her years at HOCO, she has taught 9^th, 10^th, and British Literature from the regular through the honors levels, and she had the privilege of teaching Honors Multicultural Literature and Humanities. Her latest curriculum challenge is Journalism/Yearbook. She resides on the family farm in Byron with her husband Phillip, a Dachshund mix, and a few cats.