April Teacher Feature: Mr. LeRoy

Photo submitted by Mr. LeRoy.

Grace Strelow

April’s Teacher Feature goes to Mr. Nathan LeRoy. LeRoy attended Saint Norbert College for a Mathematics Education undergraduate degree. Before teaching here at Hamilton, LeRoy taught at Edison Middle School and Green Bay East High School for 6 months. After this year, LeRoy will be starting his second year as a Hamilton staff member. 

It’s no shock that LeRoy decided to become a teacher as both of his parents are teachers as well. His dad is a high school science teacher, while his mom is a 3rd grade teacher. His sister also is attending Saint Norbert College; however, she is majoring in business finance. His girlfriend is currently a second year law student at Marquette University. Together they share a cat, Cosmo, who LeRoy says is a little ball of energy!

Here at Hamilton, LeRoy is a part of many clubs and sports. For football he is the head coach and defensive line assistant coach for the freshman team. In the spring, he works with track and field as a throwing coach (discus and shot put). He is also the club advisor for powerlifting. 

Fellow football coach Justin Gumm adds, “Mr. Leroy is as much of a kid magnet as it gets.  He has been a huge addition to our football staff, track staff, and our school community! Mr. Leroy is also one of the most selfless people I know. You can ask him to do anything for you and he will give you the shirt off his back! He is just one of the really good guys, mature beyond his years.”

Mr. Neary, also a coach along with Mr. LeRoy adds, “Coach LeRoy has been a wonderful addition to our Hamilton High school football and track program! He brings a TON of energy to our programs and has a positive attitude everyday that is contagious to the kids and coaching staff. He is the type of coach that a lot of kids trust and respect and builds amazing relationships with students and athletes. We are very lucky to have him as a coach!”

When LeRoy isn’t coaching, advising, or teaching he likes to go to sporting events with his girlfriend. He adds, “I’m a Brewers, Bucks, and Packer fan for life.” LeRoy also enjoys playing chess, video games, and reading fictional stories.

What would students be surprised to know about you?

I was born in 2000, making me 23 on 4/23/2023, my golden birthday.

What is your favorite song? Why?

Coco by 24kGoldn featuring DaBaby. No matter what mood I am in, it is always a bop.

What's the toughest decision you've ever made?

The toughest decision I ever made was to stop playing college football to focus on my degree and mental health. 

If you could teach any other subject besides the one you are teaching now what would it be and why? 

If I could teach any other subject besides math I would teach history because I love telling stories. 

What is the best advice you've ever received? 

The best advice I ever received was from my Dad who stole it from Vince Lombardi, “Being early is being on time.”

What weapon would you carry during the Zombie Apocalypse? Who would you team up with and why?

I would carry a double bladed crusade-like sword. I think I would team up with my buddies who are good at hunting because they would be able to keep me safe and also be able to keep me fed lol.

What superpower would you like to have?

I would like the ability to change the shape of my body to any size that I wanted. If I was going to punch a bad guy I could make my fist really big and if someone was stuck up really high I could make my legs longer to help them down. Just like that one character from Zoom. 

If you could change one thing about HHS what would it be and why?

One thing I would change about HHS would be to add zappers in the hall passes so that if someone is wandering around for two long they get a zap just like a dog collar. 

If you were a color what would it be? Why?

If I was a color I would be red. It is a warm color and I like to think that I am friendly to almost everyone that I know but it is also a color that represents outcome. Through any grind or battle there is red.

What mystery do you wish you knew the answer to?

One mystery I would like to know the answer to is with Abe Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. Why is it so that there are so many similarities between the two? Did you know that one of Lincoln’s secretaries was named Kennedy and one of Kennedy’s secretaries was named Lincoln? Freaky stuff. 

Would you rather meet your future self or past self? Why?

I would rather meet my past self. I do not want my future spoiled for me and feel like I have to live my life a certain way, but I would like to go back and let my high school self know that I ended up teaching and coaching in a great place. 

What is your favorite movie? TV series?

My favorite movie is Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. I still always get emotional during the final fight scene with Anikin and Obi Wan. My favorite TV series is definitely The Office. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?

In 5 years I see myself married and coaching at Hamilton. In 10 years I see myself with a couple of kids and coaching at Hamilton. In 20 years, I see myself loving life and coaching at Hamilton. 

What is the coolest place you have ever traveled? 

The coolest place I ever traveled to is on the Cayman Islands at the Northern Tip, called Starfish Bay. 

If you could trade classrooms with any teacher at Hamilton, who would it be and why?

If I could trade classrooms with any teacher at Hamilton, I would want to trade classrooms with Mr. Wunschel. Not only is it super cool to have the Calc-catraz sign above his door, but he has one of the renovated classrooms. And another thing: He has nice bathrooms right next to his room!

What is your favorite age group of students? (Freshman, Sophomores, etc.) Why? 

My favorite age group of students is juniors. They know, for the most part, how to act in school, work hard, and overall are experiencing the grind. Now, I have many great relationships with all sorts of students. My favorite students know who they are. 

Who are some of your favorite colleagues here at HHS? Why?

This one is really hard to pick just one. Every staff member I have worked with has provided me with a pleasant experience. HHS has a great and inclusive staff community. 

If you could meet anyone in history who would it be and why?

If I could meet anyone in history it would be Napoleon Bonaparte. First, I want to see if he was actually as short as movies depict him. Secondly, I would want to challenge him to a chess match to see how good he really was with strategy. 

What is your biggest regret? If you could go back in time would you fix it?

My biggest regret is not continuing to play college football past my freshman year. I loved playing football and wish I could get that time back. However, if I could go back in time and fix it I would not. I became a track coach while still in college and discovered who I was. I would not be the same person I am today if I had invested more time into the sport. I am very happy with where I ended up. 

What is your favorite restaurant? 

My favorite restaurant is Champps Americana in Brookfield. Every time I go there I try something new and I am always happy with it. It is the best, no question.