My name is Steve Pollnow. I am a 7th grade science teacher at Park View Middle School and the boys varsity basketball coach at Mukwonago High School. I am a 1996 graduate of Mukwonago High School.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my wife Lisa for 21 years. We are both graduates of Mukwonago HS (1996) and Park View Middle School (1992). We are middle school sweethearts. We have 2 sons Jordan (2022 grad of Mukwonago HS) who will be attending and playing basketball at MSOE this fall and Peyton who is currently a sophomore at Mukwonago HS. Rounding out our family, is our dog Lacy.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I teach 7th grade Life Science at Park View Middle School. I am also the Mukwonago Boys Varsity Basketball Coach, I am going on my 4th year as the head coach. What do I love about my job? I really love working with young people and seeing how much they grow in such a short period of time from middle school through high school.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite restaurant is David Allan Allan’s. Other restaurants that I like in our community is Boneyard and The Fork.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My family and I moved out to the Mukwonago area when I was 14 years old. I graduated from Mukwonago HS and then moved back here to start my teaching career in 2003. I began teaching in Mukwonago in 2003 and have been here ever since. I started out teaching half days at Rolling Hills and then started full time the next school year. I spent half days Rolling Hills and Section schools. My 2nd full year I started teaching 5th grade at Rolling Hills and remained there until 20011 when I moved to Park View Middle School.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
This is tough because there are so many places I would love to travel to. If I had to choose right now, it would be Bora Bora. My wife and I love the ocean, the beach and I would love to stay in an over the water bungalow that they have. The warm weather, the ocean, the beaches, how could you go wrong.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie of all time is My Cousin Vinnie. This was the first movie my wife and I saw when we started dating in 1992. If you have never seen it, I would highly recommend it. My favorite TV show is Breaking Bad.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Just be nice to people you never know when you are going to need their help. Working with young people, you have a duty to show them how to treat people with kindness and respect. I hope that my students leave my classroom with that lesson and carry forward in their lives.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to travel to Hawaii and spend time at the beaches, climbing, and seeing the waterfalls. I have always seen pictures and would love to go there one day.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Bon Jovi. I love Livin’ On a Prayer, it always puts me in a good mood. So, if you see me jamming out in my car, that is probably what I am singing.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Fennels Shoe Store. I can remember walking there as an 8th grader and buying my basketball shoes there.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would have lunch with Greg Popovich. I am a big Spurs fan on the side of being a Bucks fan. I really am impressed with how he coaches and I would love to listen to him talk hoops and life. I have heard he is a really humble person and loves to do nice things for people that no one knows about.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Most teachers don’t like this, but I do. I like running into my students or former students in the community. I like to see what they are up to and how they are doing. I also love the small town feel of Mukwonago. I am not a huge city person.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I am sure I will be still teaching and coaching in Mukwonago. It is kind of my thing.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am a bit claustrophobic. As I have gotten older, small tight, closed off spaces have really gotten to me.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Not the whole country but where we stayed was absolutely beautiful. The white sand on the beach, the palm trees, and the most turquoise water I have ever seen.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is July. I love the warm weather and being outside. My favorite holiday is Christmas, because around Christmas people just seem nicer! The best single day on the calendar is June 2, that was the day I married my best friend.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My wife! Any person who gives herself up that much for her family and puts up with being a coaches wife and mom of one of the players, deserves to be on the top of the list.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family. I love my family and they know I am far from perfect, but I want to be a better person for them.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Suntan lotion. I love the smell of it and it reminds me of the warm, sunny weather.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, Relaxation, Family
