LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

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Nathalie Roy

Position: Foreign Language/Science/Social Studies Teacher
School: Glasgow Middle School
School District: East Baton Rouge Parish School System
City, State: Baton Rouge, LA

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Music that Describes Nathalie


Nathalie Roy was nominated by her friend, Chris Dier.

Ms. Roy has been a teacher for 26 years. Throughout her career, she remained dedicated to her students and community. She's not only an excellent teacher, but she goes above and beyond to make creative lessons for her students. She researched and wrote the curriculum for her Roman Technology class, which merges history and STEM in daily hands-on collaborative labs. Currently, she teaches STEM via the Roman Technology course she developed.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Roy is a National Board Certified teacher, a STEM Fellow of the Foundation for the East Baton Rouge School System, and a life-long Girl Scout. Her dedication to her community is unparalleled. 

Comments (63)

Micheal Posey Posted over a year ago

Nathalie is equal parts Classics nerd and teaching super-hero! She?s a dynamo in the classroom and also so approachable as a teaching colleague and friend. I?ve greatly benefitted from 4 years of working alongside her as a colleague and having the chance to work with her in other professional endeavors. She has taught me patience, how to infuse teaching with humor, and how best to coach students to work towards their academic potential. She is a life-long learner and inspires all that know her to be better people.

Frances K Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is so great. I have had her as a Latin teacher for 3 years now, and I have loved her class. She is super friendly and supportive, and she cares about all of her students. Her lessons are very fun and engaging as well. She definitely deserves this award!!

Owen Carmichael Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy has somehow managed to make some of the oldest and most difficult-to-access subjects (Latin and Roman Technology) accessible to middle schoolers through innovative, hands-on curriculum. At a time when cutting-edge topics are all the rage (robotics, coding, and so on), she has kept ancient history relevant. Her class was the highlight of my daughter's week. Well done, Ms. Roy!

Beth Lemoine Posted over a year ago

Nathalie and I started teaching together at my current school nearly thirty years ago. During this time, Nathalie was a friend and cheerleader to everyone, as well as a role model to her colleagues. Her students both respect and love her. And her colleagues are inspired by her constant desire to learn new things. She never hesitated to share her skills and was usually the first early adopter of new technologies: interactive whiteboards, Smartboard, Google, etc. She was one of the first at our school to get Board Certified when it first came out. She innovated her ancient Roman technologies course out of inspired necessity. She is always learning something new, and is always excited about it. I could go on and on. But, I’ll leave it here. Nathalie is most deserving of this honor.

La Shawn Goodwin Posted over a year ago

Woo Hoo! Go Mrs. Roy! The first time I met Nathalie was at Glasgow Middle. She exudes happiness. Her spirit is so welcoming and calming. I said to myself. I know she is a blessing to her kids and this profession if I feel this way about her in a simple informal conversation. She was always helpful to me and ALWAYS opened her doors for any help with my social studies class. She has changed my life in reminding me daily why I teach.

Dustin Manuel Posted over a year ago

I have known her for over 20 years, 1st as a TA at LSU in Latin and then as a very good friend. As a TA and to this day with all her students, she makes her class interesting whether that's by bring in sci-fi like Star Trek into the lesson plan or by doing projects that give her students a feel what it was like to live in those times that Latin was spoken. Also, as a student, she went out of her to help you if you were stuggling by scheduling extra study time or giving out past worksheets for you to work on and then her and you would go over it and as a student, she NEVER EVER made you feel like an idiot or unintentional embrassed you, like some other TA's that I had in the past did,, especially whenever we had to do oral readings. As a friend, besides our love of sci-fi, she is a very caring, compassionate friend that is as there to do whatever she can to from brightening your day to listening to your stuggles. Also, she treats everyone equally and as a human being, never judging you for being you (i.e. whenever I realized that I was truly gay and went to tell her, she just listen and with that big old never ending heart of hers, whenever I was finished, she gave me a hug and told me nothing had changed between us). That is how she has truly shown as she also does who she truly is what she says and does. It is a great blessing that I have her among my treasures of family and friends and in doing so, my life is truly enriched by her presence in said life.

April Posted over a year ago

She made class fun and exciting and I’ll never forget the time the power went out through the school but she had everything pulled up beforehand and didn’t need the internet. She was always there for me and wanted to help me, even going as far as going to my grandmother’s funeral. My fondest memories are from being in her class during middle school.

Adam Azmeh Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy taught me in middle school at Episcopal. Her class not only helped me improve my Latin skills, but it was a constant source of light for my day.

Parav Reddy Posted over a year ago

Nathalie was one of the hosts of Girl Scout World Thinking Day last February. My older two daughters were participating, but my youngest (3-year-old) was feeling a bit left out and was beginning to act out. Nathalie welcomed her and pulled her up on her lap to join in. My daughter ate up the attention, and I’m thankful Nathalie included her without hesitation.

Tobey Pham Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy is an excellent teacher and she HAS "changed my life" while teaching me. Ms. Roy also encourages me in both her Latin and Roman Tech classes when she gave us lessons. It was especially fun in her classes during the virtual event before the hybrid schedule.

Randy Fields Posted over a year ago

If Athena, the ancient goddess of wisdom and craft (in Greek, ?????/techne), walked among us today, I would be unsurprised to discover that she had taken the guise of Nathalie Roy. Like Athena, Ms. Roy guides colleagues far and wide with her wise counsel and judicious perspective. Moreover, she invigorates Latin teachers like myself with inquiry-based projects that demonstrate ancient Greek and Roman technology. Although I have met her only once (at a conference where she shared wonderful ideas), she offers--via her powerful social media presence--frequent inspiration. She bridges STEM and the humanities with apparent ease (although teachers know how hard she actually works to accomplish this). Likewise, she exemplifies the very best in both the art and science of teaching. Ms. Roy's example has fundamentally changed my perspective as a teacher by demonstrating how to make Latin (a class that many perceive as "elite") accessible to students from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. Because of her valuable (and highly valued) expertise, I look forward to extending my thirty-year teaching career for years to come.

Melissa Early Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy always has encouraging words for her students. She really enjoys them. I always look forward to seeing her because of her very up lifting spirit. Her family and friends should be honor to have her in their lives.

Debbie Durbin Hyde Posted over a year ago

WOW!! As a colleague for the second year, I can honestly say that Ms. Roy has made an impact on me at Glasgow Middle. She is always positive, and since last year was a change for me, that positivity made last year better for me and is helping to make this year a great one, as well. We are teaching in uncertain waters this year, and Ms. Roy has shown and continues to show her students the grace that is needed to get through what this year brings. I am honored to teach with her.

natalie k Posted over a year ago

It's been probably over a decade since I was in Ms. Roy's class but she has made a long lasting impact on me! I think she's incredibly dedicated and deserving of this award! <3

Katie Pearson Posted over a year ago

Nathalie’s passions are absolutely infectious and life-changing. We met over 20 years ago when we both served as Sponsors of the Louisiana Junior Classical League (Latin Club). Her organizational habits inspired my own and her passion for the Classics was infectious (in a non-Covid way). More recently, I’ve followed her progress into Roman Technology, learning along with my own kids online. Her methods are creative & fun, bringing classical and STEM concepts together in a great Trojan Horse, where my kids don’t ever realize they’re learning.

Nicholas Posted over a year ago

She goes into details about anything that you do not understand. She is also very fun!

Nicole Posted over a year ago

She goes the extra mile

Mary-Avery R. Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy always has a way of putting a smile on everyone's face. She makes her classes fun and enjoyable and stress-free. She is good at acknowledging people and excepting everyone. And if something is wrong she helps us with it or will try to. She is good at connecting with the students too. In class, she always tries to do something to make us laugh and it always works. She also tells us where we made mistakes and how we can improve it to make it better. Ms. Roy treats her students they are her children. Ms. Roy is one of my favorite teachers ever!

Forest R. Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy taught me in homeroom for two years now and for classical mythology and roman tech. i cant decide which of those have been my favorite class ever. every class i look forward to a stress-free hour of nothing but fun. she has made middle school so much fun for me and has really been a life changer.

Wayne Rupp Posted over a year ago

I first met Nathalie during an AP Latin training session in Baton Rouge, and little did I know how much I would learn from her. We share a profession, and I think of her as an inspiring teacher, innovator, and leader. Her devotion to her students and Classics is unfailing, and I am lucky to count her as a friend. I know that I can count on her for encouragement, advice, and more. She continues to support others outside of school as well as a Girl Scout leader, an officer in professional organizations like the LCA and CAMWS, and more. She gives of herself all the time, and I think that she is deserving of this award. Thank you, Nathalie, for everything that you do.

Mitchell Sarnataro Posted over a year ago

Throughout all of years as a scholar, Ms. Roy will always be my favorite teacher. Everyday, I would be excited for Ms Roy’s latin class when I was attending Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge. Ms Roy always engaged with her students and loved when we gave her feedback. She was a very approachable teacher and always showed concern for her student’s successes. Few teachers have ever been able to mimic how much Ms. Roy has inspired me as a student. I am very proud to say that Ms. Roy was my magistra.

Daniel Kim Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is a good teacher. She helps everyone have a good grade and keeps class entertaining. She puts no pressure and helps people get through their problems with other classes. She makes sure we don't go crazy but isn't super strict. She is very nice and she helps us get our work done. Definitely a life changer in my book.

Penelope Sarnataro Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy made a lifetime impression on my son always encouraging him to be himself and embrace his opportunities.

Sharlea Smith Posted over a year ago

Nathalie is a volunteer at Camp Wawbansee Girl Scout summer camp. For a week each summer she travels to north Louisiana to proved assistance in helping to run the camp. She has shown dedication, determination and enthusiasm in teaching girls the advantages of outdoor life skills. She has taken on the roll of being both mentor and leader to the older girl Aides. She provides the expertise and guidance it takes for these Aides to become leaders themselves. We are thankful for such a well-rounded Girl Scout to be a part of our volunteer team. Thank you Nathalie.

Pierce Bowlin Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy was my 6th and 7th grade Latin teacher at the episcopal high-school. Mrs. Roy brought energy, and love to the classroom, which made me want to come to class and engage in the material. I felt comfortable in that class and could be myself which meant the world to me. I feel like I could of come to her for anything and she has changed my life so much and I’m so grateful she was my teacher. Thank you Mrs. Roy??

Nellie Reesby Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy was engaging and supportive when I had her as a teacher over a decade ago, and it’s clear from reading through these comments that she is still as dedicated to her students as ever. I cannot think of anybody who deserves this award more than her! Really wish I could take your Roman technology class!

Elizabeth Matherne Posted over a year ago

It is a great honor to be able to call Nathalie a friend and mentor. Not only is it energizing to see her passion for Girl Scouts and her desire to provide more opportunities for our girls, she has inspired me to be a better leader and become more active in the governance of our organization. All members of our council - girls and adults- benefit from her hard work and dedication.

Renee Joyal Posted over a year ago

Natalie Roy was my Latin and AP Latin teacher in high school. She without a doubt was not only one of my favorite and most influential teachers, but she gave me the confidence to push myself academically. As a young teen, I didn’t think I was “smart enough” for advanced coursework, it she nudge and encouraged me. When I excelled, she applauded me. She guided me in talks as I prepared to apply for and leave for college. I minored in Latin in college, and without a doubt that had everything to do with the influence of Mrs. Roy. I sincerely support her nomination, as she is beyond deserving!

Brian Zielinski Posted over a year ago

I watched Natalie as a new teacher decades ago. I thought, "What a cool approach she has for such a young teacher." Today, I watch her progress and implementation of programs to help her students become and remain engaged and I say,"What a cool approach she has for such an experienced teacher." She has changed my life by showing me change can be good and can be reinvigorating.

Ivy Luo Posted over a year ago

I am currently taking Mrs.Roy for Latin, but I took her for Latin last year and for Roman Technology. She always makes sure that we are able to actually learn, but we always have fun while doing it. Mrs. Roy is an extremely understanding teacher who doesn't assign us too much work but also makes sure that we learn a lot. Her classes are the perfect balance of fun and education. I have never felt stressed or overworked because of one of Mrs. Roy's classes, but I have also learned so much during the past 2 years with her as a teacher.

Laura LeBouef Posted over a year ago

I met Nathalie through Girl Scouting - first as a parent and then as one of her coleaders. You will rarely if ever meet someone who gives so much energy, time, and passion to kids, whether her own students or her scouts. While she’s constantly staying busy in her field (Think research, grant writing, publications), just about everything she does with respect to Latin, Roman Tech, etc is with some sort of end goal in mind that will benefit her students. She is absolutely amazing!

Allyson Russell Posted over a year ago

Nathalie Roy is an outstanding teacher and a wonderful human being. She is one of those rare teachers who is able to combine her passion for both her subject matter and the teaching of it together in such a way that her students are able to really enjoy the hard work of learning a difficult subject. But more than these things, Nathalie has a true love for educating our youth, and it shows in everything she does, from the lesson plans and curricula she has created, to the way she is able to relate to her students in a respectful and friendly way that makes them adore her.

Anna Fogle Posted over a year ago

I have known Nathalie since college. We are both now 50. We met through a mutual friend. And reconnected years later through my work as a financial advisor. She has always been and continues to be an extremely level-headed and fair-minded person. I do a lot of public school advocacy. When she moved to my children’s former school where I had been PTO president, I knew the school was in for a special treat. She has soared there and the students have benefit tremendously from her care and influence. I am still in contact with the principal there and she sings Nathalie’s praises. Not only does she bring her whole heart, but also all resources she has garnered over the years from being in a parochial school. Not many people could so gracefully and successfully make that move, but she did and is a born change maker star.

Aaron Jura Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy is a true Life hanger. Inspiring the kids to think bigger with her innovative Roman Technology STEM focused curriculum. I can only imagine how many people her spirit, enthusiasm, and grit have inspired over the years. I know I'm one of them. Geaux Ms. Roy!!!

jack Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is a fantastic teacher! She is the best on I have had in a while. There is no presser in her class and it is always very fun! Unlike other teachers she shows that she understands the adjustment with Covd19 and is really positive and upbeat about it. There is always something to do as well. We do every thing in her class from art projects to learning about roman warfare. I am new to Glasgow and she has made the change in schools much easier!!

Breanna Posted over a year ago

I think Mrs. Roy deserves this award so much! She really helps me feel less alone in life, since we share a lot of opinions. She is a great teacher and helps me learn so much faster. She is extremely motivational and is kind when she reminds us to turn stuff in. She isn´t afraid to share her opinions, and I think that´s amazing! It really inspires me to be more like her and she accepts everyone regardless of their personality and their ideas and thoughts. Her class is definitely my favourite class through all my years of learning, even through elementary school!

Collin Posted over a year ago

HAHAHA BEST TEACHER EVER

Faith lily jane Hall Posted over a year ago

she helped me a lot. You help my stress about school lower. She legitimately make my days stress free. i think she deserves this award and many more. she helps a lot of students and she is really a great teacher. She is really excepting of everyone. I highly suggest taking her class.

S.L. Posted over a year ago

She is a good teacher because she makes me want to actually learn instead of shoving information down my throat. Also, she doesn't try to put pressure on us when we turn an assignment in late. She also tries to motivate us to do better.

Leah Raetzsch Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy is an amazing teacher! She has inspired me so much and helped me a lot throughout the school year(s). She is very motivating and her class is very stress-free. I learn a lot in her class because she makes learning fun, therefore making it more interesting. She's very nice and friendly but still makes sure we don't get out of hand. Her class is definitely one of my favorites!

Thuy Bui Posted over a year ago

She has taught me both Latin and Roman Tech and has also taught me teamwork and a good work ethic. An amazing teacher for sure!

Lillian Recod Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is really a life changer. Even though the school year has just started, she has made a comfortable environment in the classroom. I no longer feel nervous to go to her class. All of my friends that also have her as a teacher always have great things to share about her class! She deserves this title, because she is a real life changer.

Emerson Traylor Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy has changed my life by making my school year less stressful, helping my grades and stopping me from spiraling down a wrong path. I've learned a lot and look forward to her class everyday.

Ved Kandula Posted over a year ago

She is a very helping teacher and is probably the best teacher I had ever had.

jacob darville Posted over a year ago

shes an amazing teacher and has done so much for us and has come so far!

Andrew B Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is the best balance of entertainment and information and is extremely supportive of everyone.

Dylan Mehrotra Posted over a year ago

One of the nicest, caring, and understanding teachers I have ever had!

Angelice Posted over a year ago

I have had the good fortune to know Nathalie for almost ten years. Her positive nature, love for live and adventure is infectious and the students thrive off of it! Her creative tactics and individualistic teaching style reaches ALL students! She is a such a gem to our community!!

Laura Davis Posted over a year ago

The best teacher I’ve ever had and the reason I myself became a teacher. I am Constantly asked in teacher interviews, why did you decide on this profession. It is because I had a teacher who didn’t just teach me facts or Latin, she taught me how to organize my thinking, and to love learning. Thank you Mrs. Roy for your passion and love and sense of humor always. We love you!!

Femke Maassen-Veeters Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy has committed her life to teaching students and bettering the lives of those students. She taught me for 5 years and I can confidently say she is the best teacher I have ever had. In our roman technology class we made roman cement, a sundial, etc. Mrs. Roy goes above and beyond to search for unique and important projects. She’s amazing!

Prashant Seneviratne Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is the best teacher I have ever had. Her lessons that she made for us in Latin were always creative, engaging, and effective. The dedication she demonstrates to teaching her students and making her classroom a mixture of productive and enjoyable learning is unparalleled. What makes her truly amazing is her ability to form long-lasting connections with her students, and (in my case) bring them out of their shells if need be. She also is a wonderful and supportive parent, which she makes clear by supporting her daughter's girl scout cookie sale every year. Mrs. Roy is truly a diamond in the rough, and I am lucky to have had her as a mentor.

Omar Azmeh Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy is one of the best teachers i’ve ever had. Ms. Roy’s classes were always so interactive and helped me love Latin. Ms. Roy’s teaching helped me become successful at Johns Hopkins as well. Under Ms. Roy’s instruction, I was able to learn how to critically think about text and the importance of study strategies that i am proud to carry with me today.

Olivia Grice Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy taught me Latin for a few years when I was in middle school and high school. She, still, is one of the best teachers I have ever had the privilege to know. Her dedication to her students and passion for what she teaches sets her apart from so many??

Dell Portwood Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy is one of the best, if not the best teacher I have ever learned under. When I took Latin with Ms. Roy she made a seemingly intimidating subject fun and exciting. Her famous burnt orange classroom was the one I looked forward to going to the most though the long school day. Ms. Roy is deserving of every accolade she is and has been nominated for because she truly inspires her students to enjoy learning and to be the best version of themselves.

Kaitlyn Smith Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy has taught me for two years, and she’s never failed to impress. Her dedication to her school and students is wonderful. She’s an extremely hard worker and I admire her for that.

Norah Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is the best teacher i have ever had, not only did she push me to do my best in school but she pushed me to be a better person. She always made me feel welcome and accepted and really showed her students that she genuinely cares about every single one of them. She helped me stay positive in rough patches and she is an amazing person and teacher.

Madi Bell Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy was always my favorite teacher in middle school and I always looked forward to her class! Her classes made me love Latin and classics!

Aliye Kizilkaya Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy is an amazing teacher, in all my years that I have gone to school, I have never seen a teacher like Mrs. Roy. I keep telling people this, but it is something that needs to be emphasized a lot; "Mrs. Roy has done what so much of a majority of teachers couldn't: Balance education and fun." Mrs. Roy tries so hard everyday, creating games, slideshows, maps. Surprisingly, it feels balanced, I never feel overwhelmed in her classes or confused which is, different, regarding the topics she teaches. Mrs. Roy cares, she really does, for all her students, she wants them to have a good time in her class and understands us, especially in this pandemic. I am utterly grateful to have a teacher like her. She has impacted me so much because of the things she made me feel. I didn't fit in at my old school, people were different then, and going into middle school was a pretty big change and I speak for every middle schooler. And I needed a teacher like her, to be there. I love Mrs. Roy and she deserves the world. That's on period!

Carrie Keller Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Roy was easily one of my favorite teachers. She always made learning Latin so enjoyable and interesting! She has started teaching more varied courses relating to Latin and Roman culture, and I wish I could be a part of it because it sounds so fun! Her class activities were always a blast, and her sense of humor is wonderful. She deserves all of the recognition!

William Creech Posted over a year ago

I had Ms. Roy for Latin in sixth and seventh grade. In middle school I had many disciplinary issues and frankly did not take school seriously, but Latin was the exception. Ms. Roy was a friendly and compassionate teacher and her lessons were both fun and informative; she made Latin interesting and I looked forward to going to her class every day. As one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, Ms. Roy certainly changed my life for the better and I know that she is continuing to do so for others today.

LaKesha Davidson-Vallian Posted over a year ago

Nathalie is phenomenal. As a fellow Girl Scout Troop Leader, I am in awe of her dedication to Girl Scouts. The love she has for her girls is evident, and it shines bright for the world to see. She is awesome, she is my friend, and I am sooo proud of her!

Keya Chanda-Rastogi Posted over a year ago

Ms. Roy is one of the best teachers I've ever had. She made my transition into middle school easier, with her friendliness and love, and she has made sure to make this rough time with COVID-19 as stress-free as possible.

Aahan Narayanan Posted over a year ago

Teacher Roy is kind, caring and giving all the time which has helped me cope with transition from elementary to middle school. Being a home room teacher, she is organized, thoughtful and methodical in her school class work as I thrive on this. Being kid whose has asthma, she understood my absence and helped me during such times. Your student Aahan Narayanan