Every year Antioch Community High School welcomes new Sequoits. With a briefcase in hand and a pen in pocket, they are ready to leave an impact on countless students who pass through their doors. This year, ACHS welcomes the newest physics teacher Vasilij Acic, who is ready to be a teacher, mentor and friend.

Acic was born in Bosnia, a country east of the Italian Peninsula, and moved to America in 1996. He was raised in Palatine and attended high school and his first two years of college there. From then on Acic transferred to the University of Illinois and graduated in 2014 with a major in physics and a minor in secondary education.

For as long as he can remember, Acic wanted to be a teacher.

“My mother was a teacher, both my grandmothers were teachers, so I’ve always had an appreciation for the craft. But in my personal philosophy and being an immigrant here I personally believe that education is the truest equalizer that everyone has. It doesn’t matter what background someone might be from, how much wealth someone holds, what their parents know, education kind of puts everyone on an even keel and if you are really determined to make something of yourself it’s the biggest chance that someone can provide you,” Acic said.

ACHS welcomes him with opens arms to help better our education and community.