PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES AND AWARDS: Began teaching Grades 3 and 4 in 1976 at Chapel Glen, and also taught 1980-82 at Cairo American College in Egypt. Organizes science trips to the Amazon Basin and Rainforest for teachers, community members, and students. Helped lead the district's 1998 "Tech Fest" to showcase technology and science activities. Aided in creating the IBM "Cyber-Olympics" World Wide Web site. Was president, convention chair, and board member of HASTI (Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc.). Received Golden Apple Award. Published in "Learning" and in "The Hoosier Science Writer." Was a presenter at the National Science Teachers Association annual convention. Selected by Education Commission of the States for its National Forum and took part in the standard-setting process for the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP). Was Indiana alternate for Teacher in Space and finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year. Served on the Teacher Enhancement Committee of the state Commission for Higher Education. Serves "on loan" at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

PERSONAL: Wife Brenda and he have three children, Whitney, William, and Caroline. 4-H Club leader. Leads soccer team weekends and established first soccer league on Indianapolis' West Side. Founded Summer Safari Outdoor Education Science Camp and takes students and parents to Space Camp. Works with fire safety program of the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department. 

EXCERPTS from comments by colleagues: "Imagineering" is not reserved for Disney! Rick Crosslin sees endless possibilities and sets out to tackle them, one by one. He is one of those people who imagines more and gets more done than you believe is humanly possible, at the same time he manages his primary responsibilities as teacher and parent. His instructional technique is to engage students in investigations and inquiries that ignite learners, develop and nurture their intellect, their imagination, and their sense of accomplishment while also promoting science education in our metropolitan community. Ideas jump out of him, and we let him go with them. He welcomes parents and other teachers into his classroom. As a lead teacher at his school, he helps fellow teachers learn to use technology as an academic tool. His attention to detail is legend, and he often writes training materials for programs he helps to create. In the past year, his students built a waterfall in the classroom as a habitat for aquatic organisms. A parent said the classroom was "like walking into somebody's garage where new inventions are being started all the time." A colleague said, "I wish I were one of his students."