Mr. Joshua Nathanson, one of Trinity’s history teachers, has followed an extraordinary path to the classroom. From serving in the U.S. Army (deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan), to pursuing a teaching career in Louisville, KY, his journey has been anything but ordinary. Nathanson shared his experiences, explaining how his time in the military shaped his approach to leadership and teaching, and why he believes understanding history is essential for his students.
Reflecting on his decision to serve in the United States Army, Nathanson explained that it wasn’t influenced by any particular person. “I didn’t know what to do early in my adult life, and I was searching for a sense of purpose. One day, I found myself in a recruiting office and signed up,” he said.
His time in the Army was a positive experience, shaped in part by a mentor, Captain Hanley. “He taught me what it means to be a good leader,” Nathanson shared. “Being a good leader is about guiding people in the right direction and inspiring them by being direct and straightforward. That’s something I try to carry into my work here at school.”
Nathanson also emphasized how his Army experience influenced his approach to teaching. Family is very important to him, and during his service, his goal was always to return to his loved ones. He fondly recalled, “My favorite memory from the Army was coming home after my first tour in Iraq to see my mom. After my second tour in Afghanistan, I came home to my wife, who I had only been married to for two months at the time. Those memories are incredibly special to me.”
Originally from Rhode Island, Nathanson lived there until the end of high school. “After joining the Army, I never went back,” he said. When his military career ended, he and his wife wanted a fresh start in a new place. “We wanted to try something different, somewhere we hadn’t been before. Since the Army pays for college after service, I chose the University of Louisville to get my teaching degree.”
As a huge sports fan and a diehard New England Patriots supporter, Nathanson also admitted that sports played a role in their decision to move to Louisville. “We’re big sports fans and wanted to be somewhere with good teams. We figured Louisville would be great for catching some quality basketball and football games.”
Nathanson’s transition from soldier to history teacher felt like a natural progression. Having trained young soldiers in the Army, he found he wanted to continue helping the younger generation—this time by teaching history. His student-teaching assignment at Trinity while attending the University of Louisville solidified his choice. “I really enjoyed it here,” he said. “The block scheduling suits my teaching style, and I find it beneficial for the students. I wouldn’t say it’s better than other schools, but I enjoy working here.”
So why is teaching history so important to Nathanson? He stressed the value of learning from the past. “It’s crucial to learn from our mistakes, and you’ll find that many things are interconnected in ways you might not expect. It’s also important to see things from different perspectives and understand why events happen the way they do.”
Through his experiences, Nathanson has become a respected member of the Trinity community, dedicated to inspiring his students both inside and outside the classroom.
