About Us
Crystal Richards
Hi, I’m Crystal — an educator, creative, and lifelong learner who believes education should be meaningful, accessible, and creative for every student.
For 12 years, I worked alongside my husband in our media production company as a graphic designer, including during part of my time as an educator. That experience shaped how I see visual communication, storytelling, and real-world skill building, and it continues to influence how I design lessons, curriculum, and educational resources today.
My educational background reflects my love of both creativity and learning. I hold degrees in General Science, Liberal Arts, Graphic Design, and Seminary, and I earned a Master of Education in Art and Special Education. I have taught a wide range of subjects to learners of all ages — from toddlers to adults — across incredibly diverse learning environments.
In addition to my professional teaching experience, I was also a homeschool mom for many years. Homeschooling deeply shaped my understanding of individualized learning, flexibility in instruction, and meeting students where they are. It strengthened my passion for creating systems and supports that help all learners succeed, especially neurodivergent learners, including students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, and executive functioning challenges.
I am the creator of the Busy Brain Teacher brand, where I design creative, practical, and classroom-ready resources for teachers, parents, and therapists. My work focuses on building strong learning fundamentals while supporting diverse learning needs.
Outside of education, I am a mom of four and soon-to-be Mimi — one of the roles I am most excited about. Family is at the center of everything I do. I also love traveling, painting, and creating crafts, and I often blend those creative passions into both my teaching and my resource design.
At my core, I believe learning should build confidence, creativity, and independence. Whether I’m teaching, designing, or creating, my goal is always the same: help people feel capable, supported, and inspired to learn.
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right!
About Busy Brain Teacher
Busy Brain Teacher was created for educators who know that learning doesn’t look the same for every student—and shouldn’t be forced to.
Every resource in this shop is built from real classrooms, real students, and real moments where traditional approaches weren’t enough. These materials are designed to support structure and creativity, helping students stay engaged, confident, and successful—especially those with busy minds that need learning to feel accessible and meaningful.
Meet the Teacher
I like to say I’ve been a teacher my whole life. My first students learned how to play the flute when I was still in middle school, and my official journey began at nineteen—splitting my days between engineering classes and a preschool classroom.
Since then, I’ve taught just about every age and subject you can imagine: from preschool to adult. I’ve taught Algebra, art, graphic design, web design, music, media arts, social studies and special education. Along the way, I learned that teaching isn’t about staying in one lane—it’s about meeting students where they are and helping them move forward.
After nearly three decades in education, one thing has never changed: I love helping students discover what they can do. And I’m still learning right alongside them.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe every student can learn—sometimes they just need the right tools, structure, and encouragement.
My teaching style blends organization with creativity. Clear expectations and well-designed lessons create space for curiosity, exploration, and confidence. Learning should be something students experience, not just complete.
I focus on:
Breaking skills into manageable steps
Supporting attention, organization, and confidence
Celebrating small wins as much as big ones
Building independence and problem-solving skills
When a student says, “I can do it myself,” that’s the goal—and that’s what these resources are designed to support.
Designed for Real Classrooms
Busy Brain Teacher resources are created with real students in mind—especially those who struggle with focus, processing, confidence, or traditional instruction.
You’ll find materials that:
Support independent work and structured learning
Are visually clear and student-friendly
Reduce overwhelm while increasing engagement
Work across a range of abilities and learning styles
These are tools meant to help, not add more work to your plate.
Education & Experience
My academic path has been just as interdisciplinary as my teaching. I began in architectural engineering, then earned degrees in General Science, Liberal Arts, Theology, and Graphic Design before completing my Master of Education.
I’ve studied at:
Western Kentucky University
Full Sail University
University of the Cumberlands
This background allows me to connect subjects, think creatively across disciplines, and design resources that reflect how students actually learn—not how textbooks assume they do.
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of teaching, I’m a lifelong learner, creator, and homeschool parent. Homeschooling my own children—while navigating hearing impairment and dyslexia—deeply shaped how I approach education with empathy, flexibility, and respect for individual needs.
I’ve volunteered in churches, synagogues, community centers, and youth programs, teaching everything from music to graphic design. These experiences reinforced what I believe at my core: learning doesn’t start or end at a desk—it lives in everyday moments.
Busy Brain Teacher is an extension of that belief.
Our Mission
Busy Brain Teacher exists to support educators, empower students, and make learning feel possible—even on the hardest days.
Because busy minds aren’t broken.
They just need the right approach.
Contact Busy Brains
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