Bart Cranston MA (Honorary)
Bart grew up in Ocean City, NJ, and attended St. Augustine’s School there. He continued his education at St. Augustine Prep School in Richland, NJ, where he was a member of the school’s second graduating class in 1964. He then entered St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and graduated in 1968, with a BS in Political Science. Shortly after his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in Vietnam and at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. After his discharge from the Army, he continued his studies at Villanova University and earned his MA in Political Science in 1973. Later he took classes at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), leading to New Jersey state certification as a supervisor and principal. His colleagues in the Social Studies Department fondly remember Bart usually wearing a greenish blazer, always using an overhead for notes, playing songs like "war" by Eric Burdon to enhance the context of the time period being studied, and faithfully hanging his Abby Road poster of the Beatles on the back wall. Of course, as a history teacher for 42 years, it’s not surprising that Bart enjoys books and television shows on history and politics. Bart was influenced by his father, who instilled in him a passion for our nation’s politics and history that eventually led to a career teaching those subjects.
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During this time, Bart married his wife Trudy and began raising his family and pursuing his career as a social studies teacher. Bart began his teaching career at Paul VI in September 1970, just 1 month after his discharge from the Army. During his first year at Paul VI, he taught World Cultures to freshmen and U.S. History I to juniors. For the rest of his career, Bart taught U.S. History I to juniors and U.S. History II to seniors. In addition to his academic work, for 15 years, Bart served as an administrative assistant to the Principal. In this position, he oversaw student activities, transportation, lockers, and student financial aid. He retired in 2012 after 42 years at Paul VI.
Bart and his wife Trudy have six children, all graduates of Paul VI, Mike ’87, Bob ’89, Joe ’90, Brian ’93, Kate ’97, and Kevin ’02. Bart and Trudy are also the proud grandparents of 14.
Outside of the classroom, Bart’s interests include officiating high school cross country and track meets throughout New Jersey. He is also the assigner for all indoor and outdoor championship meets for the NJTFOA-Southern District. Bart was honored as the Southern Chapter Official of the Year in 1998 and as the New Jersey Boys Cross Country Official of the Year in 2017. Bart is also an avid follower of local professional and college sports, especially the Eagles and his beloved St. Joe’s Hawks. In addition, since their arrival in America in 1964, he has been a huge Beatles fan. Some of his former students may remember the St Joe’s and Beatles posters decorating his classroom walls and bulletin boards.
Paul VI High School
901 Hopkins Rd., Ste. B
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Phone: 856.858.4900
Fax: 856.858.6832
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Phone: 856.858.4900
Fax: 856.858.6832
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