meet The Team
Who We Are
Allison Buckley
Founder & President
Allison is the Founder and President of Rare Kidz Inc., where she leads the organization’s American Sign Language (ASL) program. Driven by a deep commitment to inclusive education, she is passionate about creating flexible and accessible learning spaces for all students.
Her journey with ASL began in 2021 alongside her daughter, who was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy that impacts the brain's communication center. What started as a mother and daughter learning to sign to connect with one another eventually inspired the birth of Rare Kidz Inc.
Building on her advocacy, Allison launched an ASL Club at a local school in 2024. She brings a wealth of expertise to her work, featuring more than a decade of teaching experience in the public education system and a background facilitating workforce development workshops in the greater Atlanta metro area.
A first-generation college graduate, Allison holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Georgia State University and a Master of Education from Central Michigan University.
Kristan Marshall
Treasurer
Kristan Marshall is a dedicated diagnostic medical physicist with a heart to educate and encourage. Bringing a decade of classroom teaching experience to her current healthcare role, she seamlessly blends her advanced scientific expertise with a lifelong passion for guiding and helping others.
She built a strong academic foundation by earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Benedict College, which she followed with a Master of Science in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Beyond her professional and academic achievements, Kristan is deeply invested in supporting local youth and educational organizations. She currently serves as the Treasurer for RAREkidz Inc. and as the Secretary for the Harrison High School Track Booster Club. Her extensive track record of community leadership also includes dedicating two years as the President and Vice President of the Lost Mountain Middle School Foundation, as well as serving for a year as the Vice President of the Vaughan Elementary PTSA.
Crystal Scales
Secretary
Crystal Scales is an award-winning community advocate with over 15 years of experience in non-profit organizations both National and across the City of Atlanta. She started her community non-profit journey in 2011 in The Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals. She won Volunteer of the year in 2012 and joined the board as Secretary for the 2013 – 2015 term.
She transitioned to the partner auxiliary, The Urban League of Greater Atlanta Guild, for 2016 – 2020 where she served as both Secretary and Vice President during her tenure. She was selected and participated in 2018 cohort of The Emerging Leaders for the National Council of Urban League Guilds and in 2019 won Volunteer of the Year.
She continued her community advocacy by joining the board of The WICT Network in 2020. She has served the board in the capacity of both Director and Sr Director of Inspire Awards in 2020-2021, and 2024-2026.
She joined the inaugural board of RARE Kidz Inc in 2024 where still currently serves in the role of Secretary. In RARE Kidz Inc she fuses her passion for advocacy and her personal connection to epilepsy. She has a heart for this organization and the proven systematic operational experience to help move the organization forward.