Polebitskis moving to Platteville
By Robert Cloud
Mark Polebitski resigned from the Waupaca School Board on July 12.
He and his wife Mary plan to move to Platteville.
Their son Austin teaches environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Hired as a second year teacher to initiate the Computer Science Department at Waupaca High School, Polebitski and his family moved to the area 1985.
Mary retired from teaching from Waupaca Middle School in 2017, where she taught language arts.
Mary and Mark served terms on the Waupaca Common Council. Mark served on the Waupaca School Board for two terms.
Polebitski said he “helped usher the school district into the age of technology.”
He developed an advanced computer science course of study that benefited both students and the community.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Polebitski also taught courses through Fox Valley Technical College.
Polebitski was instrumental in establishing the soccer program at Waupaca High School.
During the mid-1990s, he played a major role in establishing boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer programs. He coached the boys’ program until 2010 and the girls’ program until his final year of teaching in 2018.
Diverse perspectives
“Throughout my life in Waupaca, I have experienced many facets of a school district,” Polebitski said. “I had the unique opportunity to see it function from different angles including parent, teacher, administrator and school board member. As a young teacher, I viewed a school district from the lens of a teacher. Interactions with my peers taught me countless life skills that I use daily.”
While implementing an Ameritech Super School grant, Polebitski’s viewpoint shifted to an administrative role, he said.
“As a school board member, that portal changed once again.” Polebitski said. “Being a parent and grandparent of enrolled students gave me the final perspective. The culmination of those views taught me a lot about life and I will take that knowledge wherever I go.”
Polebitski said he also learned from working with his students.
“Teaching, coaching soccer, robotics, advising yearbook, chaperoning dances, etc., gave me a great understanding how of adolescents think and what they needed,” he said. “I learned a great deal about the power of relationship building.”
Polebitski said he appreciates present and past school district employees, board members, students and parents for their continuing dedication to the Waupaca community.
“To students, I say this, be open minded to all people and get involved to help make the world a better place. Look at every opportunity to gain understanding and learn from it,” Polebitski said. “It will make you a better person in the long run. That is really what makes the world go around.”
Polebitski’s grandchildren are playing soccer in Platteville.
He said he will train individual players on the soccer team build specific skills.