Passion for learning drives Naperville teacher’s success in the classroom and on the track
On his résumé, Mike Kennedy lists his master’s thesis project examining the differences between novices and experts in physics problem solving.
He’s dedicated his professional life to helping students narrow the gap between those two conditions, both as a physics teacher at Neuqua Valley High School and as head coach of the Wildcats boys track and field team.
During his years as an award-winning educator, the last 25 at Neuqua Valley in Naperville, Kennedy has found a parallel between the two.
“I think there’s a reason we have probably more coaches here in the science department than in any other department, because it should be a science. You’re trying to experiment and you’re trying to trying to see what works, and you’re trying to use the science that we know and apply it to exercise physiology and even the mechanics of some of the field events,” said Kennedy, who turns 51 in June.
“It’s a lab — it’s a little, mini-lab out there. We will try new things, we will try new techniques, and we’ll see if it works and we’ll evaluate them,” he said.
In fact, Kennedy once headed a training program for triathletes and runners called The Labs.
Kennedy’s expertise in and out of the classroom has earned numerous awards. He’s been in demand as a presenter at workshops and symposia for academics and athletics alike.
He’s advocated programs such as Step Up to encourage women to study physics in college. He was a founding member of the American Council of STEM Educators, in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
During a 2010-11 school year sabbatical Kennedy and his family — wife, Meghan, a psychologist, and children Ryan and Quinn — temporarily relocated so Kennedy could work with the United States Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow.
A few years earlier, the University of Chicago graduate participated in a quark program at the Fermi National Accelerator in Batavia. Argonne National Laboratory also has honored Kennedy for precollege science instruction.
In track and field his Neuqua teams have produced 11 top-10 state finishes, starting with his first year as head coach in 2005 and including Class 3A titles in 2018 and 2021.
Kennedy’s Wildcats have combined to earn more than 180 all-state medals in individual or relay events. Both Ryan and Quinn were on that 2018 championship squad, among their father’s top highlights.
He still has up to eight years remaining as a teacher at Neuqua Valley, but already is a member of the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, inducted in 2023.
Maybe the most telling indications of the challenge — and fun — Kennedy brings to the job are his multiple school “Legacy” and “Influential Educator” awards, voted upon by Neuqua students.
“He does not care whatsoever about the ability level of his charges,” said Neuqua Valley head boys cross country coach and track assistant Jaime Janota, an English instructor who, like Kennedy, teaches honors and advanced placement courses.
“Instead, he strives to meet all students and student-athletes where they are academically and physically, and works with them to reach heights they never thought possible … He wants his students and student-athletes to understand that high school is a pathway to a lifelong pursuit of learning, health, and happiness,” Janota said.
Neither Kennedy’s parents nor grandparents attended college, but growing up in Evergreen Park he was “sparked” at Marist High School by teachers such as Jim Stankevitz, who went on to teach at Wheaton Warrenville South; and in track by coaches like Pat Quinn.
“A lot of the reason I am what I am, is I had really good coaches,” Kennedy said. “They got a lot out of us, they challenged us, they really believed in us.”
He said he keeps his focus on learning, not on grades. When he gives out class awards he rewards not necessarily the brightest students, but those who ask the most questions.
Because as Newton — and Kennedy — would tell us, a body at rest remains at rest, unless something changes.
“I want them to find their passion,” Kennedy said.
Curriculum vitae: Mike Kennedy
School: Neuqua Valley High School
Occupation: Physics teacher, assistance Science Department chair, head boys track and field coach
Residence: Naperville
Age: 50
Education: Marist High School; Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Chicago (also completed requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Physics without applying for it officially); Master of Arts in Mathematics Education, St. Xavier University
Previous work experience: Counselor, administrator and teacher at University of Chicago; physics and mathematics teacher, and assistant track and field and cross country coach at Marist High School in Chicago; mathematics teacher at Hancock High School in Chicago; physics teacher, assistant and head boys track and field coach at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville.
Tips from a top teacher
Tips from top teacher Mike Kennedy:
- With each lesson, make sure to ask yourself what the students will be doing during the lesson.
- Encourage your students to embrace change. They should be slightly different people after a year in your class.
- Do not be consumed with grading and points in your class. Try to keep the focus on learning and make sure to use equitable grading practices.
- Encourage students to ask as many questions as possible.
- Encourage students to find their passion, even if it is not your class.
- Encourage students to read as much as possible, even if it is not for your class.
- School, whether it’s athletics or academics, should be a part of your life, but it should not be your life. That’s not healthy.