Mr. Lygrisse at a high school 20 year reunion. Mr. Lygrisse attended Red Cloud High, which is 40 miles from Hastings.
Mr. Nathaniel Lygrisse has spent the last two years as a substitute teacher for Hastings Public Schools, teaching all classes ranging from 1st grade to Calculus.
And, with just a little time, Mr. Lygrisse has made a name for himself.
“He always makes class fun and he’s super understanding and caring. Everyone likes him; I don’t think a single person dislikes him,” Sophomore Montgomery Faris said.
Making class fun but still educational and helpful can be a difficult task, especially for substitutes as they don’t have the same practice as a regular teacher does. Nonetheless, it’s still possible if the effort is put in.
“When I was substituting 8th-grade science, I took the time to do their homework for an hour the night before in order to give them a good verbal review right before a big test..it really calmed them and a couple came up to me and thanked me,” Lygrisse said.
Not only do students enjoy Mr. Lygrisse in class, but teachers also notice how he does his job and are quick to see if he is available.
“Mr. Lygrisse is an excellent substitute, he is very clear with the students about the plans for the days. He also does a great job of communicating with the teacher about how the class did with those plans. His notes are so detailed that I almost feel like I was there,” Math teacher Kirk Ortegren said.
Many times when substitute teachers are in class, students take it as a day off and the class is now one day behind schedule. However, Mr. Lyrgrisse takes a different approach to substituting.
“I like to go the extra mile. I email my teachers ahead of time because I want to be prepared and I don’t want it to be a waste of a day,” Lygrisse said.
Though being born in Denver and raised in Red Cloud, Mr. Lygrisse is nothing new to Hastings High.
“I attended Peru State and got a bachelor in Secondary Ed Social Studies; For my student teaching, I actually came to Hastings High working with Mrs. Ann Mays and Mr. Bryan Vetter,” Lygrisse said.
Unlike any traditional teacher, Mr. Lygrisse gets to see students from school to school; whether being 5th to 6th grade or 8th to 9th grade.
“I do like being able to cross schools, I mean the freshmen this year are very tight with me because of the memories I made with them the year before,” Lygrisse said.
Clearly admired by students and staff, Mr. Lygrisse, as well as all other teachers, got introduced at the beginning of the school year in the auditorium, cheering and clapping when he got introduced.
“I am thrilled and honored to be a member of the Hastings High and middle school family. I want to thank the student body for the royal welcome I got in the auditorium; it really filled my heart,” Lygrisse said.
