Champaign Central math teacher Lindsay Polarek likes to make it clear to those around her that she loves math.
“I think she single-handedly supports makers of campy math shirts,” Principal Joe Williams joked.
It isn’t just her love for the subject, though, that has made her a successful teacher during her 18-year career, though. The Tinley Park native, who never left the area after enrolling at the University of Illinois in 2002, enjoys imparting her knowledge onto her students.
“She works with students every chance she gets, sacrificing her own lunch and planning,” Williams said.
I find my work important because … I get to have an impact on others. I love working with teenagers and helping them realize that they can do hard things. I love watching them learn and grow.
I became a teacher because … it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I always loved school and knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I’ve always loved math and wanted to help others love it, too, or at least hate it a little less!
My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is … a Mobius strips investigation. Students create paper Mobius strips, and we perform different experiments where we cut them, and interesting things happen. It’s fun to see the students’ reactions when something unexpected occurs! It’s a nice hands-on activity to do. I love doing hands-on activities whenever I can.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … students get it. So many times, especially in math, students struggle with different concepts. When you see them working and working and working at something struggling, and then all of sudden, the light bulb goes off, it’s just the greatest thing. I don’t know who gets more excited — me or them!
I keep students engaged by … building relationships with students and being kind of extra about things. I wear math clothes (and jewelry and shoes) and make corny comments about how fun and exciting something we’re doing is. I also try to create a positive, upbeat classroom environment where students want to work and aren’t afraid to make mistakes.
Something else I’m passionate about is … reading! I absolutely love to read — I devour books in the summer like it’s my job! I love reading outside — especially on the beach!
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was … My favorite teacher was my eighth-grade math teacher, Mrs. Greene, at Grissom Middle School. My favorite subjects were always math and Spanish — they still are. I do math and Duolingo every day!
If I weren’t a teacher, I would … either work for some other kind of nonprofit organization or run a B&B.
— ANTHONY ZILIS