As always, with the advent of a new principal comes apprehension, and worry from the student body regarding the quality of the new head of the school. Will this new principal actually align with student values? Does he have our best interests in mind and students as a top priority?
Mr. Gregory Ryan, the new principal of Crofton High School said he is ready to give his all for students, teachers, and parents alike.
Mr. Ryan grew up in Philadelphia, PA, and went to college at Shippensburg University before getting a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He has always worked in education. He spent his first 13 years as a social studies teacher and department head at Old Mill Middle School North, and then seven years as an assistant principal at Arundel High School, followed by a year as an assistant principal at Annapolis High School, and now the principal of Crofton High School.
Mr. Ryan was also a high school and college athlete, playing basketball in high school and running track in both high school and college. He said these experiences made him a big believer in extracurricular activities and the athletics program. Already, he has organized things to show this fact to the student body, such as signing off on the band playing in hallways between classes.
More than anything, though, Mr. Ryan said his top priority is communication throughout the school. “I really believe in positive relationships, I think that’s the most important thing, we’re in the business of people; education is all about the people, it’s finding connections. Teachers need to find connections with students in order to teach them. It’s my job as an administrator to make connections with students and parents and teachers, and help them realize that I have their best interests at heart. My number one priority is to ensure everyone is safe, and feeling like they belong. There’s no issue we can’t figure out, if we talk about it,” said Mr. Ryan.
Outside of school, Mr. Ryan isn’t just a face in the office. He has a wife, two daughters, and his favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, where his family travels back to Philadelphia. His least favorite Thanksgiving food is mac and cheese, but you can all put your pitchforks away, he likes the turkey and sweet potatoes too. His favorite drink is coffee.
In a letter to the Crofton High School Community on July 13, Regional Assistant Superintendent for the Arundel, Crofton, and South River Clusters Mr. Chris Truffer wrote “ Mr. Ryan will be an outstanding leader for Crofton High School and will continue to build on the excellent foundation that has been laid over the first three years of the school. Crofton has quickly built a culture of excellence for all students, and I know you will support Mr. Ryan as he leads the incredible team already in place.”
Mr. Ryan said that the student body is his first priority and that he hopes to give us the best high school experience we could possibly ask for.
