Breakthrough Atlanta alumna Crystal Rountree—now CEO of Jumpstart—shares how one summer as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow in Atlanta shaped her path in education and leadership. From reconnecting with former students to reflections on mentorship, Crystal’s story is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
Q: Can you tell us your name, your current role, and how you first got connected with Breakthrough?
A: My name is Crystal Rountree, and I’m currently the CEO of Jumpstart, a nonprofit that connects college students with preschoolers to build language, literacy, and social-emotional skills. I got my start in education as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow the summer before my senior year of college. I taught middle schoolers at The Lovett School in Atlanta. What I thought would just be a fun summer job turned out to be life-changing.
Q: Was that your first introduction to education as a career path?
A: Yes, it really was. I had done some babysitting and liked working with kids, but I majored in mass media arts and thought I’d be a documentary filmmaker. That summer in Atlanta, someone suggested I check out Breakthrough. I applied, interviewed, and quickly realized it was something special. The experience was more serious and more impactful than I expected. I was entrusted with real responsibility and I embraced it.
Q: Any memories or connections from that summer that still stand out to you?
A: So many. I still remember the songs and cheers—they were a big part of the Breakthrough energy. I taught Spanish that summer, and one of the most memorable parts was how some students who weren’t initially excited about the subject ended up really enjoying it. In fact, I recently reconnected on LinkedIn with one of those students from my class. She remembered me and said I made Spanish fun. It was a full-circle moment to see how those connections can last. I also had a mentorship relationship with another student, and we kept in touch beyond the program. And of course, many of the Fellows I worked with that summer became close friends.
Q: You mentioned the program leadership was also very impactful at the time. Can you elaborate?
A: Absolutely. Keno Sadler was the Executive Director at the time, and he made a lasting impression on me. Seeing someone who looked like me in a leadership role helped me imagine myself as a leader in education, even if I didn’t become a classroom teacher. Years later, I got to reconnect with Keno and thank him—that moment meant a lot.
Q: How does your Breakthrough experience connect to the work you do now at Jumpstart?
A: It connects in so many ways. At Jumpstart, we focus on preparing young children for kindergarten, especially those who need more support before starting school. That summer with Breakthrough made me realize the power of intensive, intentional summer learning. It taught me the importance of early intervention and how much growth can happen outside the traditional school year. It also gave me critical leadership skills—how to prepare, how to be adaptable, how to manage a room of middle schoolers. I still use those skills today.
Q: How has Breakthrough shaped your understanding of the broader challenges in education?
A: Breakthrough put education on my radar at a time when I wasn’t even considering it. It exposed me to the joy and urgency of teaching, especially in communities that need great educators the most. Right now, we’re facing major teacher shortages, both in early childhood and K-12. Programs like Breakthrough play a vital role in introducing young people to teaching as a profession and showing them they can succeed in it. That exposure is crucial.
Q: What was your experience like at The Breakthrough Experience convening this year?
A: It was incredible. I got to see Keno Sadler again and reconnect with other alumni. The energy in the room was undeniable. It felt powerful to be surrounded by people who share a common thread through Breakthrough. The event combined that energy with high-quality professional development, which is rare. I also discovered that many Teach For America alums, like myself, had also gone through Breakthrough, which created even more connection. Being honored with an award was humbling and meaningful. It reminded me how foundational that summer was for everything I’ve done since.
Q: Finally, what do you hope others take away from your Breakthrough story?
A: Never underestimate the power of a summer. What started as something I thought would just be a good summer job actually changed my life. I hope people see that a few weeks can be transformative—for students, for future educators, and for the communities we serve. Investing in summer learning isn’t just important—it’s essential.
