Passionate, energetic, and dedicated: three words that come up constantly in descriptions of Mr. Tesak, the new Physical Education teacher at New Hartford Senior High.
“He is very enthusiastic,” says senior Emma Schara, regarding Mr. Tesak’s teaching style. “He is very engaging with his students, allowing them to give him their input on certain topics [and] activities.”
Mr. Tesak, a New Hartford High School alum and former gym teacher at Clinton, joins the New Hartford Physical Education Department for the 2025-26 school year as both a teacher and a coach. A graduate of the class of 2002, he credits the school and his teachers for shaping who he is today and called it a personal goal to teach at New Hartford.
Mr. Tesak has long been passionate about sports. He currently coaches JV Girls Soccer, Boys Varsity Ice Hockey, and Girls Varsity Lacrosse at New Hartford, and previously coached football and volleyball as well. When he’s not busy coaching, he loves cheering on his favorite New York sports teams and the Syracuse Orange.
It’s rare to find someone notably enthusiastic for learning and teaching, but Mr. Tesak strives for both. “Whether we’re having a great game or terrible game, an awesome practice or a lazy practice, Coach Tesak is always there pushing us to be stronger each and every day,” says sophomore Emma Jadhon, a defender for the Girls’ JV Soccer team. “Coach Tesak is always looking to better himself as a coach and he asks us for our feedback on his coaching”.
Mr. Tesak himself states that self improvement is one of his main motivators. “I am trying to be better everyday, by inches or centimeters,” he says. “Knowing I have the opportunity to help others is what drives me to continue to be the best I can every day.”
Mr. Tesak’s commitment to improvement and his dedication to his players and students is already having major positive impacts in New Hartford. Emma Jadhon credits hard work in practice to the Girls’ JV’s dominant season so far and appreciates Coach Tesak’s ability to change up practices often and push everyone to work harder.
The open New Hartford PE teacher job that Mr. Tesak applied through was extremely popular according to Mr. Pope, a senior high gym teacher and head of the Physical Education department, with over 55 applicants. “I believe that Mr. Tesak stood out for a few reasons, “ said Mr. Pope, when asked about the interview process. “[His] experience… [and his] energy and enthusiasm” for both his job and for being at New Hartford being top among those reasons.
“It is not a job for him but rather a lifestyle,” says Mr. Pope, and Mr. Tesak seems to agree:
“I absolutely love what I do,” says Mr. Tesak. “I encourage all of my students [and] players to make sure that they are doing something in life that gives enjoyment. Live your life to the fullest and take advantage of this gift we all have”.
