Event Highlights a Career Dedicated to Advancing Women, Minorities and Students
BCSA President Crystal Boling-Barton was honored at the 12th annual Women Who Walk in the Footsteps of Greatness Gala, celebrating her work and accomplishments. The event took place Saturday, March 19, 2022, and honored local and national women for their community, professional, and historical accomplishments marking Women's History Month.
Crystal was recognized for her extraordinary career as a speaker, author, podcast host, and educational professional. Her career began in the Niagara Falls School District, where she worked as an Intergroup Relation Specialist. Her experience in education spans grades K -12 as a teacher and counselor, grades 4 -12 as an Assistant Principal, and Grades 9-12 as a Principal. She holds a bachelor's degree in English Education, two master's degrees, one in Counseling Education, and the second in Educational Administration. Additionally, she has a post-master's degree in Counseling Education and a Certificate of Specialization in Minority Group Studies from Niagara University.
For 34 years, she has been the Distinguished Principal of McKinley High School in Buffalo, NY, where students excelled under her leadership. At the age of 35, she was the youngest and only woman appointed as a Principal of a Career and Technical School in Buffalo, then one hundred and forty-nine-year history. She iconically pushed educational boundaries to help set the standards for a great education for all students.
In addition to her years as an educator, Crystal was a People-to-People International Ambassador to South Africa in 2003. She has always been a leader in culturally responsive teaching and learning. Since 2002 she and her staff led McKinley High and the District in the preservation and teaching of African and African American History by executing a successful conference yearly, including speakers from around the world. Crystal's exceptional service to her community has taken her around the world to be sure all students would gain knowledge to be prepared for college and to position themselves for long-term goals as educated and diverse citizens of society.
She has loyally and actively served in a leadership position for many organizations. She served as the President of the Black Pioneers of Niagara Falls, NY., President of The Links, Incorporated, Niagara Falls (NY) Chapter, President of the American Business Women's Association, Frontier Chapter, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
A strong Union Officer, Crystal started her service to her Union immediately after being employed as an Assistant Principal in 1984. She served as President and Vice President of the Secondary Assistant Principals' Association, President, and Vice President Secondary Principals Association. Having served as a Vice President, she is currently the President of the Buffalo Council of Supervisors and Administrators, AFSA AFL-CIO Local 10. She was the first African American and woman to be elected to this office. Crystal is also the Vice President of the New York State Federation of School Administrators and has served in these capacities since 2005.
Crystal Boiling-Barton's contributions to her community have been recognized through numerous awards she has received throughout her career.
