Position: Math Teacher
School: Arrowhead High School
School District: Arrowhead Union High School District
City, State: Hartland, WI
Mark Leoni was nominated by a student.
"Coach Leoni deserves acknowledgment. We have spent a lot of time together over the last two years during soccer, and I see him every day in the halls. During the soccer season, he was a great mentor as well as a coach. He was honest and motivating as well. Like the speech he gave before our sectional semi-final game, where he motivated us to do well, and we ended up winning,' said the student.
"I first had Coach Leoni as a coach my junior year. However, I have known him for a long time because I am friends with his son. He has three sons in total. At Arrowhead Union High School, Mr. Leoni teaches functions and pre-calc. He is also the varsity soccer and basketball assistant coach and the head coach for JV basketball. I don't know how Coach Leoni manages to do all these things, but he does them all with a smile. Coach Leoni works very hard, and I appreciate that," said the student.
"Coach Leoni and I can have our serious moments, but he usually makes me laugh. Not only has he made an impact on my athletic journey but also my personal development. He has taught me lessons during soccer and even motivated me to do well in my math classes. Even during the serious moments, I can't help but laugh. When he got a yellow card for doing nothing in the middle of our game, I couldn't help but laugh about it," said the student.
"One of Coach Leoni's most impressive traits is that he is personable. He is nice and shows he cares. Sometimes, he tries to act tough, but it never really works. Another thing I appreciate about him is his love for sports. We could talk about sports for hours at a time," said the student.
"As I look back on my time playing under Coach Leoni, I am reminded of the memories, lessons, and wins we had together. He has impacted my life, and I am thankful that I got a chance to get to know him. Thank you, Coach Leoni, for everything that you have done for me. I will make sure I keep saying hi to you in the halls. You also make amazing wings," said the student.