Physical education teacher Marty Margalski, known as “Coach Ski,” will be presented with the Teacher of the Year award at the 2011 Academic Pep Assembly. Margalski is known among his colleagues for his hard work and dedication.

Head football coach and physical education teacher Boyd Manne nominated Margalski for the award. Manne said, “I think Coach Ski is an excellent teacher and an even better person because of the relationships that he has with his students and how he cares about each of his students.”

Manne is not the only staff member who thinks Margalski is worthy, as many others agreed. Physical Education teacher Rick Voss said, “He’s a very humble man. You’ll never hear him brag on himself. His students? Yes. His athletes? Yes. But never himself.”

Recently retired Physical Education teacher Greg Beckmeyer worked alongside Ski for almost 30 years. “Coach Ski is very deserving of his honor of teacher of the year. I congratulate him,” Beckmeyer said.

Margalski dedicates time not only to his students, but his student athletes as well. He is a defensive coach for the football team and the head coach of the Lady Lancer’s track and field team.

Margalski said of his accomplishment, “I’m honored. It’s an honor when your peers accept you in that manner. I’ve seen so many great teachers win it through the years. It’s very humbling.” Margalski commented his favorite part of teaching is stealing energy of his students, “Even when you get older, the kids always have that energy that keeps you going.”

Senior track athlete Anastasia Harris will be running her fourth season this spring on Margalski’s track team. She had an equal reaction, “He treats all his athletes as family.”

He doesn’t have much time to ponder his award. Margalski is currently preparing for the upcoming girls track season, which begins Monday, Feb. 28.