About The Teacher

NAME: Bruce E. Crossman

SCHOOL: Indian Creek Middle School

Middle School Principal

Email: bcrossman@indiancreekschool.com

My Story

I have been involved in middle school education for over 31 years and have 
been a member of the Indian Creek School staff for last 26 of them. Starting 
off with a yearlong middle school education project during my senior year at 
the University of Maryland in 1976-77, I have dedicated my career to this 
age group. Three summers working with the Maryland State Department Of 
Education Gifted and Talented Summer Program for Junior High School 
students, two years with the Prince Georges County Public School system and 
two years with the Department of Defense Schools in Darmstadt, Germany 
helped me to refine my approach, philosophy and skills in working with the 
adolescent before happening upon Anne Chambers (our founder and Head of 
School) and Indian Creek School in 1981.  
	At Indian Creek School, I found an educational institution that 
followed a philosophy that actually paralleled my beliefs and feelings about 
this age group and, equally important, where there was a significant 
reduction in organizational bureaucracy. At that time, I taught all six of 
the science classes and if I thought that there was anything that the middle 
school students needed, I could just implement it through my own classes 
(now I actually have to communicate with and through my staff). As the years 
went by, I completed my master degree at Loyola College in Psychology 
Counseling, the Indian Creek School student population increased, and a need 
for additional administrative support for the program became evident. Thus 
in 1988, I took on the title of Middle School Principal; a position in which 
I continue to serve to this day.
	The joy for me as a middle school educator is being an "active 
witness" to the evolution that occurs with these adolescents as they emerge 
into young adults. As this "active witness," it is my greatest pleasure to 
provide experiences and opportunities that lead toward the development of 
confident, empowered and capable individuals.
	My view of the role of the middle school leader centers around two 
priorities: Protection and Connection.  The importance of establishing and 
maintaining an educational environment that protects the physical as well as 
the emotional well being of the students, teachers, staff and parents cannot 
be overstated.  Secondly, it is equally important to facilitate connections 
both academically and socially throughout the entire school community.  This 
allows for all members of the community to be personally engaged and seen as 
valued participants in the educational process.
        I have been married to my wife, Patti, for 28 years and have two 
daughters. Both are alumni of Indian Creek School - Anne'97 and Liz'02.