Learning Together
Mary Crimmins, TCS 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher, loves to see her students embrace learning. “I am always so encouraged by my students when I see that they are growing both academically and socially in such a short period of time,” she says. “We do so many things in my classroom, but my favorite thing is simply learning from my students. Middle school students are extremely fun to work with. I love learning with them and from them. I wish I had recorded all the life lessons they have taught me because it would make an interesting book. Every now and then we hear someone lamenting the future being in the hands of this generation. They wouldn’t feel that way if they had the opportunities I’ve been blessed with.”
Mary, who has been a teacher for 25 years, is currently in her 18th year of teaching at TCS. “I love the sense of community at TCS and being able to teach to the whole child by sharing my faith and encouraging my students to grow in theirs,” says Mary. “This semester, I am excited about the project-based learning activities I have planned for my students. I look forward to seeing what they will produce!”
“I have enjoyed staying in touch with many of our alumni,” says Mary. “It is rewarding when they text me to ask for a job reference or a letter of recommendation for college.”
Mary and her husband, Pete, have two sons. Peter (TCS class of 2001), who lives in Italy, is on track to be promoted to Lt. Commander in the Navy. Matthew (TCS class of 2005), is currently a training director for Chick-Fil-A and will begin a master’s in accounting at UNC Chapel Hill this summer.
Mary loves to travel and has been to Bahrain and Oman in the Middle East. “This past summer I went to Italy,” she says. “This year during Spring Break I’m heading to Tanzania and will stay with my friend and former TCS colleague Casserly Kuplen.” Mary also loves hiking and has hiked in Oman, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park.