Arts Directory

About

Crystal Ball O’Connor, Ph.D. is the author of award-winning children’s books focused on preserving and protecting the gifts of family and nature. Her books have received the highest rating by the National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature and were selected by the SC Department of Education’s Reading First and for Edventure Science Center’s Science Institute. Crystal is devoted to engaging students, teachers and families in the joy and value of reading and writing. She conducts author school visits and writing residencies to help young authors understand why writers make the decisions they make and how to communicate those decisions. Crystal has made hundreds of school visits across South Carolina preparing students for writing success, developing their skills using high-quality literature. She conducts teacher professional development workshops to show that getting excellent results takes intentional skill building and ongoing practice. Crystal works with Superintendents, Principals and Literacy Coaches to understand the strengths and weaknesses in their reading and writing curricula and tailors programs to meet their specific needs and resources. She speaks at South Carolina conferences such as the International Reading Association, Teachers of English, Association of Curriculum and Instruction, Upstate Writers Program, and Arts Integration in the Carolinas.