March 1 is Employee Appreciation Day! We are celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Racheal Crawford, Teacher, and how she found great work-life balance at River Rock Academy’s Sinking Spring campus.

What is your favorite thing about working here?

I work at the Sinking Spring Campus, and there is an amazing team atmosphere , but I have had positive experiences at any of the campuses I have been to. The schedule is also perfect for my life and I feel extremely supported. I have a three-year old so both of those things are extremely important. I couldn’t ask for a better work-life balance.

What keeps you coming to work each day?

The passion that I have for what I do. I couldn’t imagine working with any other population of students. There is something new going on every day, so it is fun and doesn’t get boring.. I genuinely enjoy my job and look forward to coming in each day.

How do you make an impact on students’ lives?

When I started here, I was the social and living skills teacher. I then moved into doing history and science to help fill a need. Regardless of what subject I am teaching, my emphasis is trying to help the students shape themselves into successful adults. I try to lead by example for all the students. They know what to expect from me. Although I am not in control of their choices, I can at least try to provide them with some guidance from my experience.

Last year, we rolled out our BetterTogether guiding principles. Which one of our values resonates with you most personally and why? (Integrity, Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Supportive)

They all resonate with me to some extent, but I feel that Integrity is the biggest one. Our company does a really good job at who they select into positions and making sure that all our employees share similar values. In order to work here, you have to work independently and trust that your fellow employees are doing the same. When I come into work, I never feel like anyone is hovering over me but rather that I am trusted. I tend to go above and beyond without being asked, because working for a good company and team has that impact on me.

What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?

I try to have a balance of providing students with the academics they need and enjoying my time with them. I try not to be too rigid or loose in any areas. I realize that I am working with young people who need flexibility. I try my best to make the day enjoyable for them so that they can leave my room knowing that their time with me served a purpose, and that they hopefully learned something, no matter how small it may be.

Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?

For 15 years, I was a therapist and specifically worked with populations impacted by trauma did community-based services at first and then ended up working at a group home for eight years. If you are a therapist at this point, chances are you’re an independent contractor, which is great in some ways, but is very hard on work-life balance. In 2022, I was told that there was an open position at River Rock Academy’s Sinking Spring location, and I was asked if I would consider it. I was nervous about making the transition from therapist to teacher, but when I began my role, I realized that my clinical and group therapy experience blended well in the classroom. I loved it so much that enrolled in a program to receive my certification in special education. I should be done in a little over a year.

What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?

Being recognized despite being very new. To be recognized that I am doing a good job so far is huge for me because I am still learning. I’m always striving to do better than the day before, so it is nice to see that pay off.

What is something about you that not many people know?

I once sold the majority of my belongings and bought a one-way ticket to Stockholm, Sweden, and I traveled around Europe for a few months One of the things I did while there was go on tour with a friend’s Swedish death metal band, Afgrund, and helped sell merchandise. The music isn’t necessarily what I listen to, but it allowed me to see parts of the world that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see otherwise. During the tour we were not only doing the whole music thing but also stopped at some major historical sites, including Auschwitz. I have since been to about a dozen countries, and typically travel off the beaten path. It has been pretty eye opening to be able to experience so much.