This week I had the pleasure of interviewing our very own Mr. Roach, one of the amazing algebra teachers here at Santaluces. Many of us know him for his cheesy jokes and no-nonsense attitude, but I got the chance to sit down with him and learn more about the teacher we’ve all come to love.
As many of us know, this is unfortunately Mr. Roach’s last year at Santaluces. He currently teaches Algebra Honors, but a lot of our alumni remember his classes in Pre-Calculus. Roach has been teaching here at Santaluces for 16 years, which he says has been his favorite school to teach at. He previously taught at Palm Beach Lakes High School for 13 years and at Sommet Christian for 2 years. What may come as a surprise to many is that Roach originally went to college for business administration. He quickly realized how much he hated it and decided to take a chance with a math major. Graduating with an additional minor in education in 1993, Roach has been teaching for a total of 31 years.
Fun Fact: Before going to college and becoming a teacher, Mr. Roach found jobs as a paper route, working at a Sambo’s, and owning and running his own farm.
Mr. Roach told me exactly what it was like growing up in the 70s. He reminisced on the days when he would get home, grab his fishing rod, and head over to the Lantana Bridge with his friends. Roach went to Lantana Elementary and Junior High and went to high school at Lake Worth. Unsurprisingly, Roach told me that since he was little, he had always been the rambunctious type.
Fun Fact: Roach’s favorite type of music is rock. His favorite bands include The Who, Led Zepplin, Bad Comp, and CCR. Roach started going to concerts when he was 15 and still enjoys going to them to this day.
Roach is the third youngest of four kids, with two brothers and one sister. He met his best friend when he was 6 years old, and they still keep in touch to this day, hunting together even though he lives in Georgia now. In 1985, Mr. Roach met Nancy. They built a bond that would lead to their marriage in 1987.
“Me and my Nancy have been together for 39 years,” he told me. They later had 2 kids and now 2 grandkids.
Fun Fact: Mr. Roach played in the Little League and later on coached the Little League his kids were in.
Mr. Roach explained that he decided when he was going to retire when he was 56. Since then, he’s had time to think about what his plans were for after retirement. He said he was most likely going to move to Georgia or the Carolinas.
“Fish, hunt, and play golf, and mildew in front of the TV,” he told me. He also mentioned the possibility of starting a cooking podcast. I’m sure we’d all tune into that one, Mr. Roach.
What will you miss the most about teaching?
“Interacting with the students. I enjoy the heck out of working with teenagers. That’s what I’m going to miss.”
What’s one last thing you’d like to tell the students of Santaluces?
“Kids, don’t drink and ride your bikes.”
Thank you, Mr. Roach, for 16 wonderful years with us. We all love you, and we’ll miss you!
