LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Nathaniel Rollerson was nominated by a colleague, Saundra Moore.

Mr. Rollerson is a dedicated, hardworking, student-centered educator who positively touches young people's lives every day. He has been a teacher in public education for the past 13 years. He graduated in 2009 with a bachelor's in chemistry and science education in 2010. Mr. Rollerson serves as the Site Director for 5000 Role Models. This program allows him to recruit and train male students of all nationalities, providing positive support and mentorship. Students have weekly meetings, field trips, and induction ceremonies where they are given the opportunity to meet various community leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Mr. Rollerson has led the PBIS team at two different high schools. He has received the model school award each year for implementing Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions to ensure that students have many positive interactions daily.

One of Mr. Rollerson's major goals is to create and maintain a safe learning environment to improve student outcomes in all areas of their school career. Because of his leadership skills, he has served as department chairman at each school he has been blessed to work. Mr. Rollerson created and maintained a science club for the past seven years. He strives to offer and expand additional science explorations for students. He created the Health Options Student of America Program (HOSA) at Wolfson High School. With the interest in this program, many students have become interested in the medical field.

He serves as a tutor with the Jacksonville Urban League, helping support underprivileged students and providing them with opportunities to achieve academic success. Mr. Rollerson is all about supporting and mentoring young people, as he coached basketball for the Jacksonville Police Athletic League. Mr. Rollerson was nominated Teacher of the Year for Wolfson's 2023-2024 school year. He has been impactful in the following ways:

• Focusing on allowing students to learn in a safe environment.
• Providing the space for students to work through life.
• Providing all students with an opportunity to learn a high-level science.

He has made his most significant impact in education by mentoring students in academic ways and in life. One particular student who comes to mind was struggling with substance abuse. Throughout the time he worked to rehabilitate the student, he was able to give guidance and support, which essentially became the reason the student eventually got healthy. He has learned to make sure to address the dangers of substance abuse through science classes and any group that he mentors. Recently, he had a student in crisis, and he was able to help seek the appropriate resources so the student would back down from the ledge they were on. Mr. Rollerson ensures that he serves all his mentees, letting them know he's there for them mentally and that he can be a trusted adult who will help them through their times of need.

Finally, as a science lover, he has been able to work with students within the research lab to propel them beyond the classroom. Three of his former students credit him for allowing them to achieve their doctorate in science even though they admitted that they were not interested in science when they had his course. Mr. Rollerson serves as a minority in chemistry and often is the only one in the lab. He is motivated even more to assist other minorities in gaining the knowledge and motivation to try to keep achieving in their sciences. An aspect of the science club that he builds on is to give all students a chance to explore science, regardless of their background or current level in science.

"I am grateful to know someone who goes above and beyond for everyone," said Moore.