21 minute read
Cover Story: Bob Riddle Retires
COVER STORY
BOB RIDDLE A (PROFESSIONAL) LIFE IN FIVE ASTOUNDING ACTS
It is nearly impossible to sum up Bob Riddle’s remarkable 38-year history at Crossroads School and the indelible legacy he leaves behind. First hired as a Middle School math teacher, Bob rose through the ranks in a number of administrative roles and served as head of school for the last 13 years. As Crossroads co-founder and first headmaster Paul Cummins stated, “Bob Riddle has not only done a masterful job in preserving the institutional soul of Crossroads School, he has enlarged it by the infusion of his own uniquely imaginative and wise spirit.”
Anyone who knows Bob knows that he is an avid theater lover who typically sees upward of 40 shows a year. Here, we present his professional life in five dynamic acts, full of serendipity, a touch of adversity, hard-won success and a yet unwritten but undoubtedly very happy ending.
ACT I
Bob grew up in a housing project in Chester, PA. His father never finished eighth grade, and his mother dropped out of high school. In a 2020 profile of him in Advocate magazine, Bob discussed how his passion for social justice and student well-being stemmed from his own challenging childhood, when he was bullied for being gay. It was education—and educators—that provided a glimpse of a better future.
“I remember a few teachers who took me under their wing, watched out for me, made sure I was able to go to college and found scholarship money for me,” he said. “When I went to college, I made the decision to become an educator because I wanted to make schools better for kids— and not just for kids who identify as LGBT, but all kids.”
Bob attended Penn State and earned degrees in psychology and secondary education, mathematics. He taught junior high school for a few years on the East Coast but yearned to work in a more progressive school environment. He knew that it was time for a change, and a friend convinced him to give sunny Los Angeles a try.
COVER STORY
ACT II
In 1984, Bob moved to LA with $500 to his name. Initially, he slept on a friend’s floor and taught at an all-boys Orthodox Jewish school. Then he happened to see a job listing in the Los Angeles Times—one that would quite literally change the course of his life.
Bob spent two years teaching Middle School math and Life Skills and another two years teaching Upper School math. One of his early students was Chrissy Gianni ’96. Chrissy has worked at Crossroads for over two decades, primarily as a Latin teacher and volleyball coach. She still remembers Bob’s tremendous talent as a math instructor.
A TIMELINE OF BOB’S CROSSROADS CAREER
1984–86
Middle School math and Life Skills teacher
1986–88
Upper School math teacher
Does anyone know what a fabulous dancer Bob is? I remember an employee holiday party in the Community Room of the Elementary School. I was dancing alone to the tunes of the Tom Nolan Band, and suddenly Bob Riddle was dancing right along with me, not missing a beat. I should have stopped then, because he outdanced me by far… but I was having too much fun with him.”
JOANIE MARTIN
Former Elementary School Director
1988–93
Upper School academic dean, grades nine and 10
“I first really got to know Bob when he was my Upper School trigonometry/pre-calculus teacher,” she shared. “He was an excellent teacher and brought such passion to the classroom. He had the gift of bringing even the most difficult math concepts to life and made them accessible and relatable to everyone in earshot.”
In addition to his brilliance as an educator, Bob’s keen analytical mind and problem-solving skills made him ideally suited to administrative roles. In 1988, he was promoted to Upper School academic dean for grades nine and 10, taking his career in a new direction.
ACT III
In 1991, Bob helped to establish what was later known as the gay/straight alliance, one of the first high school clubs of its kind in the nation. Based largely on that work, he was offered a prestigious, yearlong Klingenstein Fellowship at Columbia University, where he earned a master’s in educational
1993–94
Klingenstein Fellowship, M.A. Educational Administration, Columbia University Teachers College
Thank you does not express the depths of my gratitude for the care and support you have shown me over the (dare I say) decades. You have consistently found a way to see the potential in who I could become, and have held me accountable to that standard. I have never met a human who gets more joy out of seeing others succeed than you. I am honored to have shared this place and time with you and will forever be your student.”
ANTHONY LOCKE ’01 Head of Upper School
COVER STORY
Under Bob’s leadership, both as an administrator and as the head of school, Crossroads expanded its footprint in more ways than one: broadening our academic programming, including the replacement of AP classes with Crossroads Advanced Studies classes; growing the diversity of the School community while bringing a new focus on inclusion; making a difference in the greater community through our Equity & Justice Institute; and developing our campuses. It has been an honor to work alongside Bob in his last year as our head of school.”
JUAN CARRILLO
Board Chair administration. It was there that he met Kevin Jennings—now the CEO of the civil rights advocacy organization Lambda Legal— who asked Bob if Crossroads would host the first-ever conference on LGBTQ issues in schools on the West Coast.
“And he said, without missing a beat, ‘Of course we would,’” recalled Kevin. “One of the keynote speakers was California’s first out assemblywoman, Sheila Kuehl. And as a result of that conference, Sheila went back to Sacramento and proposed the Dignity for All Students Act, which made California the third state in the country to ban discrimination in schools based on sexual orientation and gender identity. That wouldn’t have happened without Bob Riddle and Crossroads School.”
The School took note of Bob’s leadership potential. In 1995, he was promoted to Upper School assistant director and academic dean for grades 11 and 12. Four years later, he succeeded Ann Colburn as Upper School director. Colleagues from this time remember Bob as a guide and mentor as well as someone who empowered faculty and staff to take ownership of their work.
“I learned so much from Bob,” said Cheryl Junod, who served as the Upper School coordinator for 30 years. “He let me run with my strengths. He included me in building the class schedule and in committee and faculty meetings, which helped me learn how the Upper School ran. I loved my job at Crossroads, and a big part of that was because of Bob.”
Drama Department Chair Davida Wills Hurwin recalls a couple who were unhappy that their child had not gotten the lead in the Upper School play. Rather than speak to Davida, the parents called Bob to complain.
Davida shared, “I stopped by Bob’s office, and he said, ‘I’ve asked them to just talk to you directly.’ And I said, ‘Do you have any advice?’ He said, ‘No. You’ll handle it.’”
Davida was touched and encouraged by his trust in her.
I will miss a loving friend and colleague whom I can trust with my feelings, who is always supportive and yet able to guide me when I make mistakes, so I can grow as a person. I will miss my safe place....Bob.”
LESLIE KING
Middle/Upper School Counselor
Bob demonstrated the same competence and expertise that he saw in his colleagues. In 2003, then-headmaster Roger Weaver tapped Bob to serve as assistant headmaster and dean of faculty. Bob worked closely with Roger and sat on the senior leadership team, learning about the inner workings of the School and benefiting from Roger’s generous mentorship. When Roger announced that he was stepping down, he encouraged the Board to consider Bob for the position. After a monthI worked with Bob for more than half of my life. He was always thoroughly engaged, prepared, organized, in command, focused and tireless. His advocacy for the students, employees and the mission of the School successfully guided him during his remarkable career. It was my great pleasure to work so closely with Bob. I miss his confidence and friendly leadership style, along with his crazy-good memory and sense of humor. I wish him well in the next chapter of his life!”
MORGAN SCHWARTZ
Former Middle School Director
1994–99
Upper School Assistant Director and Academic Dean, grades 11 and 12
1999–2003
Upper School Director
COVER STORY
Bob and I met in 1984, when we were both starting our first year at Crossroads, and we quickly became best friends. He is a truly amazing person in every way, and I’m so very proud of him for everything he has achieved. I wish him all the happiness he so deserves in his retirement.”
TESS JEFF
Former Administrative Assistant for the Head of School Office long process of individual and group interviews followed by a 90-minute presentation to the Board on his vision for Crossroads, the choice was clear, and in 2009, Bob Riddle became Crossroads’ new head of school.
ACT IV
Under Bob’s leadership, Crossroads continued to flourish. He conceived and championed the School’s Equity & Justice Institute, providing more opportunities for students to develop as engaged citizens and to significantly bolster the School’s impact on the global community. The Institute was endowed as part of the School’s Worlds Unimagined capital campaign, which also includes the Science Education & Research Facility, the Endowment and the new Center for the Performing Arts, slated to break ground in the upcoming school year. As head of school, Bob has raised $80 million for Crossroads, ironic considering that some Board members were concerned about his lack of fundraising experience when considering him for the head of school position!
Bob also oversaw the development of the 2019 strategic plan: “One Community. One School. One Vision.” The plan established 15 goals to enhance, inspire and sustain the School and the surrounding community in areas including teaching and learning, student wellness and environmental sustainability.
Another strategic goal aims to “enhance a sense of belonging and inclusion.” This goal took on even more urgency in the spring of 2020, when the murder of George Floyd reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement and compelled schools like Crossroads to reassess the experience of people of color on their campuses. In a letter to the Crossroads community from June 10, 2020, Bob wrote:
“I speak for all of Crossroads’ leadership when I say that we are determined to do better, to lead by example and to ensure that our School is safe, nurturing and supportive for all of our students of color. It’s time that we all were held accountable. And it’s time
2003–09
Assistant Headmaster and Dean of Faculty
2009–22
Head of School
Bob is the most thoughtful and steadfast friend one could wish for. He is fun, playful and bakes really good apple pies. At work, he is diligent, blessed with a creative imagination, thinks outside the box and solves even the most intransigent and difficult problems with good outcomes for all. He truly cares about the issues that trouble our world on the macro and micro levels, and works hard to educate our community on how to approach those issues with insight and regard for diverse ideas.” we all use this moment to take the difficult but necessary steps to make change.”
In the two years since, Crossroads has significantly invested in supporting students of color (who make up 53% of the student body) and strengthening its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. To learn more, please turn to page 14.
Bob’s extraordinary leadership was perhaps never more evident than during the recent COVID-19 crisis. He oversaw the School’s various response committees, ensuring that Crossroads continued to provide students with an exceptional education— whether remotely, in person or both—while always prioritizing the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff. Keeping the School running smoothly and the community connected was a monumental challenge that Bob continually
ANN COLBURN Former Upper School Director
Bob with his former student Chrissy Gianni ’96, celebrating her 20 years of employment at Crossroads
COVER STORY
I was always amazed by Bob showing up to all of the student activities. Not sure how he found the time to be there, but he always did: jazz concerts, athletic events, plays, art show openings, EMMI concerts, EOE trips, dances and lunch activities in the Alley. He doesn’t just talk the talk; he walks the walk.”
JIM UNTRAUER
Former Maintenance Engineer met, demonstrating his impressive fortitude, deep intelligence and love of the people of Crossroads.
Fortunately, the darkest days of COVID appear to be behind us, and we were able to celebrate Bob in person before he stepped down as head of school. (See story on page 54.) While he will no longer be a daily presence on campus, his impact will be felt for as long as the School exists.
“Over his 38-year tenure at Crossroads, Bob has developed into an administrator and leader of extraordinary intelligence, energy and skills,” said Roger Weaver. “His leadership in all his roles at Crossroads, particularly as head of school, stands in profound ways as a palpable emblem of the values, mission and identity of Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences.”
Thursday, June 30, marked Bob Riddle’s last day as head of Crossroads School.
ACT V
Bob’s fifth act has barely even begun. (And, of course, there may be many more.) He will remain at Crossroads in a consulting capacity, supporting the development of the Center for the Performing Arts. While he hasn’t announced any plans beyond that, it’s a safe bet that he and his husband will continue to travel and see as much theater as they can. Bob has hinted that he is not necessarily retiring and may be up for one more professional adventure. In a 2009 interview, Bob mused that in another life, he’d be a theater producer: Don’t be surprised if someday soon, you see his name in lights (or at least on a show poster).
Whatever Bob does, he’s sure to do it with the same commitment, genius and joy that he brought to Crossroads for 38 years, and with the Crossroads community cheering him on.
Thank you, Bob!
Bob has consistently seen himself in a supporting role, even when he became head of school. I saw it as my primary function to support Bob, but the truth is he spent at least as much time and energy supporting me. While Bob possesses many of the qualities of a strong leader, he never felt it necessary to be the focus of attention. During the decades that I worked with, and then for, Bob, I knew one thing: He had my back. Thank you, Bob. It has been a privilege and a joy.”
DOUG THOMPSON
Former Associate Head of School
THE BOB RIDDLE EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY FUND
To honor Bob’s legacy at Crossroads and his deep respect and care for the School’s faculty and staff, Crossroads has established the Bob Riddle Employee Emergency Fund. The initiative was inspired by the Crossroads Community Emergency Fund. (Read more about it on page 12.) While Crossroads already sets aside funds to help faculty and staff in crisis, the Bob Riddle Employee Emergency Fund will vastly expand the School’s ability to provide this financial support, which is not a loan to be paid back.
“Crossroads is truly fortunate to have such brilliant, committed employees who care so deeply about our students and about our School,” said Bob. “We know that no one is immune to financial hardship, whether due to a medical diagnosis, a partner’s lost job or any other crisis. This new fund is a meaningful way for our community to show their gratitude for our remarkable teachers and staff and to help provide the resources to tangibly assist them in difficult times. And in some small way, this fund allows me to show my own gratitude for the multitude of colleagues over the years who mentored and supported me, helping me to become the person I am today.”
If you’d like to contribute to the Bob Riddle Employee Emergency Fund, please visit xrds.org/employeefund or scan this QR code.
