Mr. McCrystal has been a history teacher at Oratory Prep for 16 years. He also graduated from OP in 2004. He then attended The College of the Holy Cross where he studied history and sociology. Coming from a family of two teachers, one teaching history and one teaching Latin, that was all Mr. McCrystal knew. Mr. McCrystal did not do a teacher’s education program at Holy Cross, so, he went to Seton Hall University for his Master’s. This is where he met Mr. Gordon (religion) and Mr. Kaounis.
Mr. McCrystal wanted to start teaching because of his family background and school connections. He has only known OP, and when he was given the chance to return here he took it instantly.
Mr. McCrystal is so loved at this school for a few reasons. One reason is because of his teaching style or philosophy. He said he teaches by, “Being tough, but fair.” He thinks that pushing his students is the best way to get them to their peak ability. Being a student at Oratory, he knows that kids’ attention spans are not the best. So, to make the class fun and engaging is so important. He knows that showing his passion in history will hopefully peak some of the kids’ interest.
Over the years McCrystal has found the things he loves along with the things that he dislikes. One thing that he dreads every night is going home and grading papers. As he said, “With AI coming into play it has just added one more long step.”.
Mr. McCrystal’s advice to kids who might be struggling in a class is to keep their heads up and see the teacher. The only way to get better is to leave the bad in the past and think about the good in the future.
He also coaches Cross Country with Mr. Seebode. He loves coaching this even though he wasn’t much of a runner himself. Seeing his kids improve over their four years is his favorite thing about XC. The main reason he loves the meets is because of the atmosphere and the success that OP has had in the past.
All in all, Mr. McCrystal loves to work at OP, and he wouldn’t change his experience for the world.
