Mrs. Crystal Lail

Welcome to the Elizabeth Lane Elementary family! I hope that when you visit our school you will feel our strong sense of community and family pride. We are committed to excellence and to addressing the social and emotional needs, as well as the instructional needs, of every student. We believe that all students can achieve and we will work with our students and families to make that happen for every student.

I grew up in a small town in Union County and graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with a concentration in Child Development and Family Relations. My first teaching job was in Wilson, N.C. – right outside of Greenville, NC. I met my husband while we were both students at ECU and we moved back to the Charlotte area after graduating to be closer to our families.  

My first position in CMS was as a teacher at Olde Providence Elementary. I taught first and fourth grades and served as a literacy facilitator in my 11 years at Olde Providence. During that time, I obtained my National Board Certification and began to serve in leadership roles for the district. I have worked as a national board support coach, professional development master teacher, and professional development Instructor. In 2012, I was selected for the North Carolina Principal Fellows program. I served as a Principal Fellow at Elizabeth Lane for the 2013-2014 school year. I obtained my master’s in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I am both a licensed principal and curriculum specialist.

My husband and I have two sons and we have lived in Matthews for about twenty years. Our oldest son graduated from Appalachian State University and now works in Charlotte and our youngest son is a sophomore at Appalachian State University. We are a busy family and we enjoy trips to the beach or the mountains to spend quality time together.  

I have been a part of the North Carolina Public School system as a student or employee for the past 39 years. I am committed to working with my staff to ensure that every child at our school receives the highest quality instruction in a nurturing learning environment. The ELE family is ALL in for every single child!

Thank you for choosing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Elizabeth Lane Elementary School.

Sincerely,
Crystal Lail, Principal