By Emily Beggerow 

Upper School Latin teacher Tyler Boyd has been an influential part of the Collegiate community for 20 of his 31 years. Most of those years have been in the classroom, but he also spent six years as a librarian. Driven by his passion for Classical Studies, he has not only contributed to the discipline’s success in the Upper School but also designed a curriculum that helps to inspire and educate the next generation of Latin scholars. His selfless nature lends authenticity to his teaching, and he stated in an interview with The Match, “I really get a charge from teaching.”

Boyd dressed as Zeus. Photo courtesy of Tyler Boyd.

Boyd, a Richmond native, was born at Saint Mary’s Hospital and raised in Bon Air, attending Monacan High School in Chesterfield County. His younger brother Evan and he were only three years apart, but were two birds of a feather. Boyd recalls the depth of their bond, noting they were “so close that we never had an argument, ever.” While the brothers are now farther apart due to Evan’s move to Portland, Maine, they have maintained an enduring relationship. 

Boyd continued pursuing his education at the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar, majoring in Classics: Greek and Latin. Boyd noted, “I’ve been a student all my life,” and he has attained three masters degrees. He attended the University of Texas at Austin with ambitions of becoming a professor, earning his masters in Classics. He then moved to Nashville to join his then-fiancée and completed his masters in education at Vanderbilt University. Influenced by a colleague, he became interested in being a librarianship, specifically the opportunity to teach students across many disciplines. He attended Catholic University, where he earned his third and final masters degree in Library Science; he jokingly stated, “my wife says I’m done” with graduate school. His educational experience has influenced his insights into both what he teaches and how he teaches, establishing him as a distinguished and trusted educator. 

He has established himself in the Collegiate community as an advisor, coaching Cub soccer and volleyball, teaching 9th and 10th Grade Latin courses, and co-sponsoring the Latin Club and Academic Team. His goal is to uplift others, whether it be individually emailing every student to wish them a happy birthday, or giving out high fives in the hallways: “I tell my Freshmen on Day One that I will talk to you in the hallways, I will say ‘Hi’ to you, and I will enjoy seeing you.” He finds a way to connect with and affirm as many people as he can, and the community greatly benefits from it. Latin scholar Riley Savedge (‘26) fondly remarked, “Mr. Boyd truly cares about the well-being of his students, and I’m so lucky to have had him as a teacher.”

Last year was Boyd’s first time leading an Advisory group. Though stepping into the role came with its challenges, he embraced the experience with a positive and collaborative mindset: “I know the students, and I know the parents, and we’re just working together.” His advisees think highly of him and lean on him for his steady support. Sam McGrath (‘26) shared, “He gives great advice, even better football takes, and somehow finds a joke for every situation.”

After school you can find Boyd at his favorite restaurant, Los Panchos. He recommends the shrimp chimichangas. He and his wife enjoy going out to restaurants that provide a different experience that cannot be recreated at home: “My wife’s a great cook (and I’m a good dishwasher), but we like to go out to where we can’t make the food very well.” 

In his free time, Boyd cherishes his time with his wife, lending a hand around the house, or diving into a captivating book. He doesn’t consider himself much of a planner outside of school, so he’s happy to go with the flow and stated, “I’m more of a follower and very lowkey.”

Boyd has a busy year ahead, with the wedding of his older daughter, Helen (‘18), on the horizon. Helen is a Virginia Tech graduate and is marrying her high school sweetheart, Nate Holdych (’19). Boyd also has two other children: Grayson (‘21), who attended the University of South Carolina, and Vivian (‘24) who attends Sewanee: The University of the South. Despite having three adult children and being an empty-nester, Boyd remains busy between his work and personal life.