Teachers are the backbone of a community. They educate, support, and inspire students. But they aren’t the only types of people who do this; coaches can also make this type of impact. Then there is the select handful of people who fit in both of those categories. This spring, there are four teachers that come to mind. Chad Postal, a track hurdle coach, Mark Winkle, for boys tennis, and Ed Willie for boys golf. Additionally, Crystal Lawton has been helping with the softball team as a volunteer starting this season.
Chad Postal: The Leaping Historian
Chad Postal is a world history and AP world history teacher at the High school. Along with it he’s a track hurdles coach.
“He’s always very motivating. And he shows up to practices and meets always smiling and dancing around, trying to always make people have a good time. He’s just good to be around,” said junior track captain Avery Waletzko.
Postal always shows up to the classroom and to track full of energy, ready to motivate and support his students and athletes, creating a welcoming and friendly environment with a bright mood. He pushes people to be the best that they can and shows an example of that himself.
Postal is always checking on people, and talking with them whether he knows them or not. The same goes on at meets as he cheers on every event and every athlete competing, not just his hurdle athletes.
“He’s always there cheering everyone on, not just his own athletes, he’s a great coach, I look forward to seeing him at practice,” Waletzko said.
Postal is always positive, and Waletzko couldn’t help but notice.
“He’s always cheering, and making sure people are having fun. He brings good energy to the track, and always has a bright mood,” stated Waletzko.
Postal is a very hands-on coach and builds relationships with his students and athletes, he shows examples of what he wants his students to do in class and he does the same for his athletes. He makes sure his classroom is full of life and that every lesson and lecture are engaging for his students.
“People can learn from him to always be happy and positive and to have a strong work ethic,” Waletzko said.
Ed Willie: The Scientific Putter
Ed Willie is a seventh grade science teacher at superior middle school. He coaches boys golf, and also girls golf in the fall season.
“He always comes to practice with new slang he learned from the kids at the middle school, which immediately brightens the mood. Unless he didn’t get his daily diet coke, he’s in a cheerful mood, and ready to teach us more about the sport he loves. We always start off the first 10 minutes of practice sharing how our days went, good or bad Coach Willie always listens and has feedback,” Junior Captain Ellie Olson said.
Willie has helped many of his athletes to build lifelong skills, he’s helped with their confidence, discipline, how to handle pressure, how to handle frustration and improve upon it.
He always sees the potential in kids, and most of the time he sees it before they do. He doesn’t settle or let them settle for less than their best.
Willie is always encouraging his students and athletes to do their best, no matter what barrier is in their way, and is always willing to help them if they need and want it.
“As a coach, Ed wants to see you succeed. He always is working individually (alongside our 2 assistant coaches, Taylor Burger and Mike Raunio). He is always smiling and one of the most caring people I have seen,” Senior Gabe Killian said.
He’s always cheerful wherever he is, creating an atmosphere where everyone else there is extremely happy alongside him. All the athletes on both his teams speak highly of him as a person and a coach. He loves what he does and you can tell by the way he acts and speaks about it. It’s also very evident that he cares strongly for his students and athletes.
“The impact goes beyond golf, Ed has helped shape me into more of a disciplined and confident person. He has constantly pushed me to improve and never settle for less than my best. Through the sport he’s taught me that you keep working even when you aren’t seeing the results right away, but they will come later,” Olson said.
Killian sees Willie for more than golf, whether other interests, or if someone needs a mentor.
“People can learn a lot from Ed. Give him the time to help you with whatever he can, and you will learn something. Whether that be golf, guitars, or otherwise, he will help you get better at what you are trying to learn,” Killian said.
Mark Winkle: The Civil Server
Mark Winkle is a Civics and intro to american law teacher at the high school. He coaches boys tennis and also girls tennis in the fall season.
“He has inspired me in many different ways. The biggest one I can think of is his encouragement to always try new things no matter how much or as little as you know. You can always learn!” Senior Jackson Mueller said.
Winkle is very passionate in what he does and it shows. He puts lots of effort into both his jobs, and makes sure to always show up. He does this to give his students and athletes an example of what it means to work hard and put in effort to get the results they want.
Winkle also stays consistent with showing up. The way he teaches and coaches to set an example on how staying consistent helps in the long run can make an impact.
“He has shaped me into when I believe to be a very respectful and responsible person. This is not just through learning from him but also leading by example. He also encourages lots of responsibility by allowing the tennis team to make lots of the decisions,” Mueller said.
Winkle’s outgoing personality shines throughout the school and out on court. He can be seen constantly talking with students in the classroom, teachers in the hallway, and the athletes on the court, always with a smile on his face. His cheering during tennis matches is always the loudest there, encouraging his athletes to be cheering alongside him for their teammates.
“I think many can learn key aspects of various different areas from him. Whether it’s teaching you about the different branches of government or teaching you how to hit a serve, he will always come at it with a positive attitude and mindset. I think that others need to follow his example and come at various obstacles with a positive attitude as well,” Mueller said.
Crystal Lawton: The Calculated Thrower
Crystal Lawton is a math teacher for the high school, she teaches: algebra two, pre calc, and statics. She started volunteering as a coach this season for softball. She made the decision to start volunteering after softball head coach Bryan Denninger asked her to, knowing she knew lots of the girls already and knew she could help them. She quickly took the opportunity.
“She has inspired me to be involved in things and to help people. She helps with all her kids’ sports teams, and she’s always at the school doing things. She helps and gives back to people, especially if there’s a job that needs to be done. It’s an attitude and mentality I want to have,” Senior softball captain Callie Peterson said.
Lawton is always motivating and pushing people to work harder, always with a positive attitude. She’s willing to do whatever they need her to do when she’s helping out on the field and keeps a calm demeanor. While in the classroom she’s a very hands on teacher, always will reexplain or explain differently if you need help, and always comes up with an answer.
She’s always there to just listen, and never gives unwanted advice. She always finds a positive outlook on anything happening.
“She has a you-get-what-you-put-into it mindset and will help you as long as you’re willing to put effort into it.” said Peterson.
Lawton is adored by many of her students and athletes, and other teachers in the district speak highly of her as a teacher and as a person.
All four of the people in this story have similar traits to them and how they teach and coach. Those traits are what makes them such good teachers and coaches. They’re all very positive and happy people, and it reflects in their classrooms and as coaches. They create fun and engaging learning environments. They’re all also very caring and hands-on. The biggest thing is that they all love what they do. They love teaching and coaching, and their students and athletes can tell that they do. Which for them makes the environments great places where they can grow and improve as students, athletes, and people. It also makes it where they love showing up and being there. It fills their cups which makes it a great place to be for everyone, the students, athletes, and the other coaches and teachers who coach and teach alongside them.
