Bob Riddle, Assistant Headmaster and Dean of Faculty at Crossroads School in Santa Monica, has been chosen by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) to receive an NAIS/ Edward E. Ford Fellowship.
Granted to educators who have demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities, the fellowships support the professional development of independent school administrators through intensive programming, mentoring, and specialized projects.
In addition, NAIS/E.E. Ford Fellows become familiar with the major issues facing independent schools today.
One of 68 Fellows from NAIS member schools In 24 states for 2005-06, Riddle was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, took a dual degree in math education and psychology at Penn State and taught junior high in Haverford, Pennsylvania, before moving to Los Angeles..
Once here, he taught for a short time at an Orthodox Jewish all-boys school before being hired to teach Middle School math at Crossroads. After two years in the Middle School, Riddle moved to the Upper School to teach math, and subsequently was made Academic Dean for grades 9 and 10.
In the 1993-94 school year, Riddle received a year-long Klingenstein Fellowship at Columbia University in New York. Essentially an administrative training program, the fellowship is tailored for experienced independent school teachers and led to Riddle’s earning an MEd.
After his stint in New York, Riddle returned to Crossroads as 11th and 12th grade Academic Dean and Assistant Director of the Upper School. Subsequently, he was named Upper School Director.
In 2003, Crossroads Headmaster Roger Weaver tapped . Riddle to be the Assistant Headmaster and Dean of Faculty.
Now in its 33rd year, Crossroads School is generally thought to be one of the leading college preparatory schools in the nation. In addition to its much lauded academic studies, it offers a notable arts program colleges. Virtually all of its graduates go on to college.NAIS is a voluntary membership organization for more than 1,200 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad.
