Twenty Questions to get to know you better: Michael Crowley, MS Head/ISB Assistant Director

Mike joined ISB in 1989-90 (taught English and Journalism and since 2001 he has been leading the Middle School). To many alumni and current students, teachers and families, he is known as a wonderful leader, educator and friend! Let’s find out more about him.

Nationality: Irish

Q1. Where did you grow up? Q6. What makes you laugh?

Galway City, in the West of Ireland. Most often, the direct honesty and infectious wit of middle school students. Q2. Where did you live before Brussels? Frasier Crane in any incarnation; most As above, with periodic stays in the recently, Modern Family. majestic Burren, County Clare. Q7. What really gets on your nerves? Q3. What can’t you live without? My Not a lot. I have little time for people family, music, books, an internet who take themselves too seriously, connection, a sense of humour, and a bullies, arrogance, ego maniacs, or steady supply of oxygen. negaholics, but I do not waste energy letting them get on my nerves. What Q4. What is your favorite movie or really gets on my nerves? Caffeine. book of all time? Impossible question! Movie would be Q8. What cartoon character best either One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest describes you? or On The Waterfront. Favourite book is Has got to be Principal Skinner in The Simpsons. even tougher. Favourite writers include

Brian Moore, Richard Russo, Larry Q9. Your favorite place in Brussels? McMurtry, Richard Ford, John Updike … Wherever I happen to eat with my but if you forced me to pick one book, it family on a Friday night. Working in the would have to be Wuthering Heights. garden on a Saturday morning. ISB on a sunny day. Brussels is a great place to Q5. What do you think about right be. before falling asleep? God, this is going to be a long meeting. Q 10. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Wembley Stadium for the World Cup Final. England vs Ireland.

Q11. What talent do you wish you had? Q16. If you could have a lunch with any Scoring the inevitable winning goal in three people (real or fictitious, from the above. Renee Frankard’s ability to any time period, dead or alive), who tell a truly hysterical story and almost would you choose? always be positive. The ability to make John Lennon, George Best, and my question # 10 come true. father. Three working-class heroes.

Q12. What is the best advice you’ve Q17. Share your most unforgettable ever received? experience at ISB? Malcolm Cromarty - who remains a It really isn’t possible to name one, friend and mentor – “you need to have a single experience. The Special Olympics very short memory in this job” and Gary send-off is always notable. But I think Demes – one of the best teachers and any teacher would probably tell you that friends I have known – reminded me the most unforgettable experience is often that … “a bird can’t fly on one seeing a child be successful, sometimes wing.” against the odds. It is always very special when former students come to visit or Q13. Name 1 thing you miss about send a message simply to let you know being a kid. that you made a difference in their lives. I miss being able to play football for hours on end without needing a box of Q18. If you were given a million euro pain killers and knee surgery and 24 hours to spend it (no depositing immediately afterwards. it in the bank or investing it), what would you buy? Q14. What made you want to pursue a A card for my wife that reads, “I told you career in education? we should have had a pre-nuptial I think it may have foolishly pursued me, agreement.” A Ryanair flight to Ireland, but I was, ironically, “inspired” by the complete with an actual baggage number of bad teachers I had who left allowance. A pint of Guinness in me with a sense that it was a job that Murphy’s Bar in Galway, then Galway could be done with a greater degree of United Football Club. humanity and enjoyment. I am fortunate to work with an amazing team of Q19. Name 1 thing not many people teachers who prove this on a daily basis know about you. I was Phil Hesse in a former life. Q15. What would you be if you weren’t a teacher? Q20. What have you learned from your I think teaching is the best profession in students at ISB? the world. I have always wanted to write Most notably that – given the time and look forward to having the time to and opportunity to grow and learn in do so. a caring, supportive environment– everyone has talent, and everyone

can be successful in life.