2nd Grade

Mrs. Bell has been dedicated to teaching since 2001. She is thrilled to be a part of the Royal Elementary community, collaborating with an amazing staff to support students in reaching their full potential. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, volunteering at church, and traveling.

Crystal Forrest is entering her fifth year of teaching at Royal Elementary. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from Fayetteville State University. Before joining Royal Elementary, she gained valuable experience working in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Wake County Schools.

Crystal is passionate about creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for her students. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time in the mountains and at the lake with her family. She and her husband have four children, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

She is excited for another wonderful school year and looks forward to working with her students and their families.

Carolina Licona has 26 years of experience, teaching in different countries and to students of different ages and learning needs. She earned her BA degree in Education at her hometown, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, her Montessori degree at Honduras and Canada and her MA TESOL at Greensboro College, NC. This is her 2nd. tour as a Participate Ambassador teaching Kindergarten. Srita. Licona believes that "Education can take all learners beyond the imaginable." All children learn, grow, and succeed on their own pace. During her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, eating, dancing, culture and learning from others. Her family is her inspiration and motivation.

Ms. Brayden Patterson is thrilled to be a part of the Royal Elementary family as a 2nd grade teacher. She is a proud 2024 graduate of East Carolina University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. This will be Ms. Patterson’s second year of teaching, and she is excited to continue building a strong foundation for her students’ success while fostering a love of learning in the classroom.

Outside of school, Ms. Patterson enjoys shopping, spending time with her sweet puppy, Bailey, and getting lost in a good book. She is looking forward to a wonderful school year filled with growth, learning, and community at Royal Elementary!