Dr. Crystal Pemberton Howe is an educator, school founder, and instructional leader with more than two decades of experience advancing equitable and high-quality education for all students. She currently serves as the founding school leader of Honor Preparatory Charter School, a dual-language public charter school in Charlotte, North Carolina, dedicated to developing bilingual, biliterate scholars who are prepared to lead with agency, excellence, and purpose. Born and raised in the vibrant South Bronx, Dr. Howe began her career in the classroom, where she quickly earned a reputation for innovative teaching, strong instructional leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student achievement. Over the course of her career, she has served as a lead teacher, instructional coach, and founding dean of students, supporting educators in implementing research-based instructional practices and data-driven systems that accelerate student learning.
As a founding leader of Honor Preparatory Charter School, Dr. Howe has helped design and launch a school model centered on dual-language immersion, academic rigor, and strong partnerships with families and the surrounding community. Under her leadership, the school focuses on building a culture of belonging and high expectations while preparing students to thrive in a multilingual and interconnected world. Dr. Howe’s leadership extends beyond the classroom through her work building community partnerships, supporting innovative school models, and advocating for expanded access to high-quality public education. Dr. Howe holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University, a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Mercy College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Yale University. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Howe enjoys spending time with her spouse, their children, and their beloved dog, Bud-Bud.