Dear Club Members, Community Partners and Parents,
I am writing this letter to introduce myself to the West Side Boys and Girls Club community. As the new Program Director, I look forward to meeting all the Club members, parents, volunteers, staff and community partners who make our club a success.
First, a little about me...I reside in the North End of Saint Paul with my family, including my husband Nick, my fourteen year old daughter, Coretta, my seven year old son, Geno, and my sweet little dog, Charlie. I am a licensed 7-12 English teacher with over twelve years experience teaching youth in the Twin Cities area. I hold a Masters in Education from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science from Saint Cloud State University. I have focused my career as an educator on ensuring students succeed academically, and are prepared with the social skills and attitudes that will allow them to realize their full potential as they grow into adults. I am especially passionate about teaching writing and reading, and believe that all children have unique gifts and talents, that, if nurtured and developed, will give them the tools to succeed in life.
After spending over a decade in education, my career moved into the non-profit sector where I most recently took the position of Education Director at the Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club in North Minneapolis. There I had the privilege to work with club staff and volunteers to create a curriculum rich in student engagement, emphasizing academic rigor, and the importance of member recognition and accomplishment. In addition to this, I was the lead instructor for the Career Launch Program where I worked with students to prepare them for jobs, teaching essential skills including how to set goals, write effective resumes and cover letters, explore career opportunities, and prepare for job interviews.
Prior to my time at Jerry Gamble, I lived in Switzerland for three years, resigning my position as a Language Arts teacher in Lakeville, Minnesota, to spend time with my family, enjoy European travel and adventure, and take on the challenge of learning the local Swiss German dialect. Furthering my passion for learning and culture, during my stay I also served as a substitute teacher at the International School of Zug and Lucerne, and took on the role of principal at the Beehive International Preschool in Hunenberg, Switzerland.
I am so excited to begin my journey here. This past week, I began meeting community partners and some of our amazing Club members. Because your input and involvement is crucial to success of the Club, I invite you to share your ideas, impressions, and vision of what the Club should be. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to share your thoughts: What do you like about our Club? What would you like to see improved? What new programs or partnerships would you like to see?
Sincerely Yours,
Crystal Bieter, M.Ed.
Program Director
West Side Boys and Girls Club
291 East Belvidere Street
Saint Paul, MN
651-222-2212
cbieter@bgc-tc.org
