The History Department gained a World History Teacher that is not only new to Nazareth but new to teaching. Billy Crimmins finished his Master’s degree in Secondary Education at Northwestern University in June and is excited about starting his teaching journey.

Before Nazareth, Crimmins also attended University of Illinois, Urbana where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History. He originally went to school to be a math teacher, but switched to history when he realized what his true passion was.

Crimmins was drawn to Nazareth because it is a teaching and learning community that feels like family. He said he likes the small community at Naz and that he has already gotten to know so many people only weeks into the school year. 

Along with the tight-knit community of Nazareth, Crimmins knew early on that this was the place for him because of his early interactions with administration and his own department. “They were so welcoming even in the interview process which is a very overwhelming process,” said Crimmins.

Crimmins was inspired to teach when he was in high school. During his senior year he had a teacher who made class engaging and fun, and he knew that he wanted to do the same for other students and make learning a good experience.

His plan is working out for him and he sees his teaching as a two-way-street. “The best part of teaching is getting to learn from the students, being around them and hearing their ideas and their ways of thinking,” said Crimmins. 

Crimmins isn’t just a teacher, he also has a lot of hobbies outside of school. He loves to get together with friends to make music: he plays guitar and drums. Along with music, Crimmins also enjoys making bagels, for years he has been making different kinds of bagels from scratch and doesn’t plan on stopping.