“I was the perfectionist, straight-A student and now I realize that I’ve learned not to be a leader but more of a follower. But not in a bad way. I can learn from others and they can learn from me. It’s something I learned more and more as I grew up,” said Marni Polakow, Antioch Community High School physical education and health teacher and head varsity boys and girls soccer coach.

The self-proclaimed “tomboy” is proud of her school, her team, her community and herself. Like anybody else, she’s always learning and trying new things, pushing her boundaries beyond her comfort zone. Most recently, this push was acting.

“I helped with the winter play this year. I felt lucky to have that opportunity  because I felt vulnerable,” said Polakow. “It was hard work. It was something I’ve never done before.”

It was a new experience and she is grateful that she had the opportunity to be a contribution.

“I was freaking out before I got on stage. But I really enjoyed it because I got to work with the kids in the fine arts department that I didn’t know very well before. I had a blast,” said Polakow.

In addition to her personal accomplishment with acting, one of Polakow’s soccer teams accomplished a milestone. This year, the first in school history, the boys varsity soccer team came away with a Sectional title.

“I’ve been playing soccer for 30 years now; to see the team accomplish this much makes me so proud of them,” said Polakow.

Soccer was not the only sport she was involved in growing up. Polakow is a 2nd degree black belt in karate and picked up ice hockey at 29.

There are other ways in which she would like to branch out in the community in the future. Her dedication to her athletics made her want to put more effort into other areas of her life. Polakow is looking towards the future in regards to her career.

“I want to be Nationally Board Certified, which is a step towards becoming a better teacher. I love working with students but maybe in the future I would want to work with teachers more, or maybe become an athletic director,” she said.

National Board Certification (NBC) is a voluntary, advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure.  NBC has national standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The National Board certifies teachers who successfully complete its rigorous certification process.

She describes herself as not being an average, run of the mill teacher.

“I’m not a one-dimensional teacher. Maybe I can inspire a few to change, whether it be with their diet or exercising more. Students can come to me, whether it be about their problems or successes, they can talk to me about it,” said Polakow. “It’s great seeing students after they go to college and they let me know they actually learned something in my class and they could apply it to their life. Even if it’s something that’s not even related to me being a P.E. teacher.”

Polakow is also concerned about her students’ future and wants them to aspire to become greater in whatever it is they are passionate about in their lives.

“I’m very grateful for the way I was raised and not all of these children have that, so I like to be supportive in anyway I can,” said Polakow. “A lot of kids don’t know what they want to be. I like to motivate them. For students, you can’t forcefully motivate anybody if they’re not motivated themselves. You need to have something in your life that you’re passionate about. Wrap your head around passion. Being purpose driven will help you out in a lot of ways in your life.”

Polakow’s passion growing up was soccer, believing it to be something that she put so much time and effort in. It was soccer that gave her motivation to do many other things, also crediting the important people in her life who motivated her when she needed it most.

“I looked up to my karate teacher, he taught me how to have good work ethic. My athletic director at my high school always told me I could become whatever I wanted and I felt like he really believed in me.  And my parents, of course. They’re my biggest fans, but my biggest critics too. They taught me how to work hard and how to love,” said Polakow. “Looking back on [my experience], that’s the way I want to raise my family too.”