Nancy Rousseau
Nancy Rousseau | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | Adelphi University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock |
| Occupation | Educator |
Nancy Rousseau is an American educator. Rousseau taught English at a number of schools around the country before settling in Little Rock, Arkansas where she became vice-principal, and later principal, of Little Rock Central High School.[1] As principal of the school, which was at the center of a famous civil rights battle and a national historic site, Rousseau planned milestone events and hosted numerous dignitaries to the school.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Nancy Lucker was born in New York about 1947, the daughter of Audrey and Jerome Lucker. She was raised in Tenafly, New Jersey.[3] She attended Tenafly High School, where she was student chairman in her sophomore year,[4] graduating in 1965.[5] After attending Ohio University in Athens, Ohio for two years,[5] Lucker later obtained a bachelor's degree in English education from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York and a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.[6]
Career
[edit]Rousseau's first job was as an English teacher in Port Washington, New York. She then taught English in Midwest City, Oklahoma, relocating to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1976.[6] From 1976 to 1986, Rousseau worked as an English teacher at the private Pulaski Academy.[6] Rousseau served as assistant principal at Little Rock Central High School from 1991 to 1998. In 1997, she organised the 40th year reunion of the Little Rock Nine.[7]
From 1998 to 2002, she was principal at the city's Pulaski Heights Junior High School. During her time there, she led the school's transition from a junior high to a middle school.[6]
In 2002, she returned to Little Rock Central High School as principal.[8] The school, the site of a famous civil rights battle for integration, has a school population of approximately 2,500 students.[9] In 2007, she organised the 50th year reunion of the Little Rock Nine.[10] In 2024, after discovering that a new male principal was being paid $30,000 more than her despite over 30 years' service in the school district, Rousseau demanded the district school board increase her pay.[3] In February 2026, Rousseau announced her plan to retire after more than 30 years as the head of the school.[6][11]
Personal life
[edit]Rousseau married second husband, architect Steve Rousseau, in 1978.[12]
Awards
[edit]- "New Teacher of the Year" Award, Port Washington, New York
- LULAC La Esperanza (Hope) Award (2018)[13]
- Clinton Center's Educator Lifetime Achievement Award (2026)
References
[edit]- ↑ "Longtime principal joins UA Little Rock Alumni Board". University News Archive. 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ↑ Straessle, Steve (May 9, 2026). "Central High's Nancy Rousseau starting a new chapter in life". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock – via NewsBank: Access Global.
in June 2005... Nancy had been principal at Central High for about three years and already had a lifetime's worth of experience... Nancy's husband Steve... her student-given nickname "the Roussinator"... With Central High's seat on the National Registry of Historic Places and operating as part of the National Park Service, Nancy has had a front-row view of Little Rock politics and history. She's hosted dignitaries, led tours, and otherwise worn the unofficial hat of chief curator of Central High's legacy.
- 1 2 Howell, Cynthia (2024-04-21), "22-year Little Rock Central principal seeks salary adjustment; her pay is 80% of new Southwest High principal's", Arkansas Democrat Gazette, retrieved 2025-07-21
- ↑ "Students Prepare Gifts". The Record. Dec 19, 1962. p. 67. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Nancy E. Lucker is Betrothed". The Record. October 25, 1967. p. 40. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Campbell, Matt (2026-02-10). "Nancy Rousseau, longtime principal of Little Rock Central High, announces retirement". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- ↑ Moritz, Rob (September 23, 2007). "Little Rock Nine Plan to Return". Times Record. Fort Smith, Arkansas. p. A1. Retrieved 20 May 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ Gelder, Austin (2024-04-13). "Longtime LRSD Central principal is paid $33K less than Southwest HS newcomer, requests fix". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ↑ "Little Rock School District's student count forecast". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ↑ Asper, Sandy (2011-12-09). "Opinion: The Day I Met Nancy Rousseau". Patch. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- ↑ Li, Anne (12 Feb 2026). "Central High's Principal Plans to Retire in 2026". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. p. 9. Archived from the original on 14 Feb 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ Dishongh, Kimberly (March 29, 2026). "Right time right place: He lost his job after a date with the boss' girlfriend". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock. p. 48. Archived from the original on 31 March 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via PressReader.
- ↑ Williams, Helaine R. (October 7, 2018). "LULAC lauds recipients of scholarships, honorees". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock. p. 51. Retrieved 19 May 2026 – via NewsBank: Access Global.
Bibliography
[edit]- Nightly news segment – Central High principal has been top Tiger for nearly 20 years THV11. Retrieved 2026-05-18. Via YouTube.
- Scott (2019-03-20). "Women Making History – Nancy Rousseau". Little Rock Culture Vulture. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- Baker, Tre (2017-09-25). "Little Rock, Big Hero: Nancy Rousseau of Little Rock Central High School". Little Rock Soirée. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
External links
[edit]- Central High School Principal Nancy Rousseau retires – A lookback on legacy THV11. Retrieved 2026-08-01. Via YouTube.