My name is Nicholas Ratajczak and I'm the physical education & health teacher at O.W. Huth Middle School. I graduated from University of Illinios at Chicago, in the summer of 1998, with a BA in education with certification in K-12 Physical Education. I completed my masters degree in administraion, from Lewis University, in the fall of 2012. I'm very excited about the start of my fourth year teaching Physical Education & Health at O.W. Huth Middle School.

O.W. Huth: Head Coach 7th Girls Basketball Team (IESA 2017 Regional Champions), Head Coach 7th & 8th Girls Volleyball Teams (2016 & 2017), P.E. Team Lead (2018-?)

Hobbies -  Traveling, running, biking, fishing, playing Magic the Gathering and spending time with my family.

Family - My lovely wife Kelley(4th grade teacher of Joliet District #86) of eleven years, and four wonderful kids; Natalie, Caitlin, Mia, and Nathan.

Favorite Sports Teams: Chicago Cubs, San Francisco 49ers, Alabama Roll Tide

Favorite Food: Pizza, Steak, Pierogies, Fish, Chinese Food, & Chocolate

Other Schools - Head Coach Boys & Girls Freshmen Volleyball at Joliet Central H.S. since (2013-?)

Philosophy - I believe Physical Education is the most important class they will have at O.W. Huth Middle School. My responsibility as a Physical Education teacher are, to show them the principels of F.I.T.T and how to apply it for the rest of their lives.I firmly believe all of my students are special and posses a wide variety of talent and skills.It is my mission to expose my students to a wide variety of activities, as to encourage him, or her, to discover and enhance these skills and academic knowledge of fitness as well as health.  As a professional educator, I will present these activities in a positive and professional manner, as to maximize the self-esteem and the self-confidence of my students.  As a result of physical education, my students will learn that physical fitness is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not only now, but for the rest of their lives.

Accomplishments - Athletic Director Union School 2009-2015 (2015 IESA for School Sportmanship Award)

                            Track & Field Coach 2010-2015 (went down state IESA four out of five years)

                             Union School Girls Volleyball Head 2009-2015 (Regional Championship game 3 consecutive years) 

                              Jump Rope for Heart & Hoops for Heart Coordinator from 2008-2015. 

                              S.O.A.R.S Coordinator at YMCA 2012-2014.

Making A Difference 

In each and every one of us,
there is something very special.
We have all been gifted with the ability
to make a positive difference.

If we are fortunate enough
to fully accept and acknowledge that gift,
we gain the mana -- the power -- to shape the future.