Fenwick High School is mourning the loss of John Polka, a longtime teacher who died Jan. 27 at the age of 81 following a battle with cancer.
Polka, who taught at the high school for 52 years, was a beloved biology teacher. Throughout his time at Fenwick, Polka taught more than 5,000 students, inspiring many to grow a love for the subject.
According to Fenwick’s “The Friar Files: News and Views from Fenwick High School,” before moving to River Forest, Polka graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in biology from St. Mary’s University, in Winona, Minnesota, and then, after starting at Fenwick, he went on to earn a master’s in biology from Chicago State University.
At Fenwick, where he was hired in 1966, Polka made a name for himself as a great teacher who inspired his students to learn in different ways.
“Many Fenwick students went on to careers in science because of John’s inspiration,” said Roger Finnell, a retired math teacher.
According to a news release sent out by Fenwick, Finnell taught with Polka for five decades.
“When Fenwick was considering going co-ed, John was in a group of department chairs who worked hard to show the community the strong support from the Fenwick faculty in favor of co-education. His many decades of faculty leadership will be long-remembered,” Finnell said.
Biology teacher and track and cross-country coach Daniel Wnek credits Polka for being a big influence and mentor.
“I recall sitting in the back of his class my first year at Fenwick, doing my best to absorb what he was doing with his AP Biology class,” Wnek said. “I learned so much…many of those labs and teaching methodologies I still use at Fenwick.”
During his years at Fenwick, Polka served as the chair of the science department and helped develop the ecology of the rainforest and marine biology programs.
Polka also had a hand in creating opportunities for his students to experience science from new perspectives and locations, organizing trips to Guatemala, Peru, and Costa Rica.
Remembered as one of “Fenwick’s finest,” by many in the Fenwick community, Polka’s former students, faculty, and friends have expressed their condolences and gratitude for his years of service to the high school and its students.
Andrea Mostardi, former Fenwick student, commented on a Facebook post announcing his death to pay her respects.
“I feel so lucky to have been taught Biology by him and experience his ecology of the rainforest class in Costa Rica,” she said in the post. “Thank you for the positive impact, Mr. Polka.”
More than 80 people shared their comments, stories, and sadness upon hearing of his passing.
“Mr. Polka…what a gentle, kind, caring, oh so humble, and intelligent man,” said mom of two, Wendy Musselman. “Our two children loved Mr. Polka. We are so thankful and grateful they had an opportunity to experience Mr. Polka as a teacher and as a friend.”
Polka also had a hand in establishing the Fenwick cross country program, coaching the boys’ team for 43 years until 2009. Fenwick’s current head coach, Dave Rill, graduated from Fenwick in 1987 and ran under Polka’s coaching.
To say Polka had an influence on Rill would be an understatement. Polka met Rill after seeing him run cross country and asked if we wanted to attend Fenwick.
Rill went on to attend the high school and ran cross country throughout the four years, where he went on to be a state runner up and All-American honors runner.
Rill coached with Polka for four years before taking over the program.
“Polka was the first coach at Fenwick and I am the second,” Rill said. “That is a true honor for me. Coach Polka influenced my life more than any other person in my life. He had a huge part in who I am today as a coach and as a man.”
Polka also coached some students who went on to become some big names. Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, a Fenwick grad, served as the first team captain for the cross-country team.
Other students used the passion he instilled in them to come back to Fenwick.
Kevin Roche, Fenwick graduate of the class of ‘05, ran cross country and track and credits Polka for him falling in love with the sport. Roche has continued to be a runner, even two decades later and came back to teach at Fenwick for 12 years.
“I want to emphasize how he never made it about himself,” Roche said. “As a teacher, coach, and friend, his emphasis was on others.”
His dedication to the team brought him recognition as he was inducted into the CCL Coaches Hall of Fame and the Illinois Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, along with leading six teams to Chicago Catholic League titles.
“He made many runners at Fenwick over the years into hard working and selfless men like him,” Roche said.
Despite retiring from Fenwick in 2017, Polka continued to serve the AP Biology College Board as a consultant and spent his time volunteering at the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, as a tour guide.
Details regarding a memorial service are expected to be announced soon.