Lake Zurich High dedicates language lab to teacher

Kathleen Surdynski never wanted to be the center of attention.

Yet, she got plenty of it as students, teachers and staff at Lake Zurich High School dedicated the school's World Language Lab in memory of the German language instructor who died March 28 of complications from muscular dystrophy.

The classroom, which has been open for several years, will be renamed the "Kathi Surdynski Memorial World Language Lab."

"We thought this was a nice way to remember her," said Aimee Tanking, World Language Department chairwoman. "Kathi was just a very positive and inspiring person, both for teachers within the department and her students. She was always willing to go above and beyond for her students."

Surdynski, 28, was a 1997 graduate of Lake Zurich High School, then Lake Forest College, and eventually earned her master's degree in education and leadership from Chicago's St. Xavier University. She taught German for six years at Lake Zurich High.

It's not the first time a part of the school was dedicated to a teacher, but it's an honor seldom bestowed, said interim principal Kim Kolze.

Kolze said Surdynski deserved the recognition because she always stepped up to the plate despite being physically handicapped by her debilitating illness and bound to a scooter.

Surdynski volunteered to be the school's ski club sponsor, organizing three trips to Alpine Valley Resort in Wisconsin. She also drove the school bus for those trips and supervised the students, Kolze said.

"I think that she was an inspiration and a role model to kids that there's no limitations unless you put them on yourself," Kolze said. "She loved working with the kids, and she wanted to make a difference. And I think she did."

A plaque bearing Surdynski's name will be placed on a wall inside the lab, along with an inscribed metallic globe trophy commemorating the dedication at its base.

In an emotional ceremony Wednesday, high school staff showed a video of Surdynski and other district students battling muscular dystrophy. They also presented a replica of the globe to her parents, Karen and Phil Surdynski of Lake Zurich.

"It was a very touching tribute to a person who left a lasting legacy here," Kolze said.

Earlier this year, Surdynski's parents established a memorial fund in her name at the high school to provide scholarships to students for study or travel abroad.

The high school is accepting donations for that fund. The senior class of 2008 dedicated a portion of its senior class gift to the fund.

"At the end of the year, there will be a scholarship that they will give to a senior that is looking to do some studies in German," Kolze said.