Crystal M. Edwards

Senior Advisor

Crystal is a retired superintendent with nearly 40 years in public education and 13 years leading school divisions in Virginia and New Jersey.

She served as Superintendent of Lynchburg City Schools from 2018 to 2024 — the first woman to hold the position in the division's 150-year history — and previously led Lawrence Township Public Schools in New Jersey for seven years, where the district earned National District of Character recognition. Before that, she served as Assistant Superintendent and held curriculum and instructional leadership roles across multiple New Jersey districts.

Crystal is currently a COTA Fellow at Virginia Tech's School Leaders Institute, where she trains aspiring superintendents and recently appointed school administrators. Previously, she served as a professor in the Virginia University of Lynchburg's Doctor of Healthcare Administration program.