High school Spanish teacher Margaret Domka doubles as an international soccer referee

There are many examples of talented teachers who also distinguish themselves in arenas outside the field of education. One such educator is Margaret Domka, a high school Spanish teacher who is also a well-respected international soccer referee.

Margaret was born August 13, 1979. Originally from Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Margaret graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. For the past twelve years, she has worked as a Spanish teacher at Union Grove Union High School in Union Grove, Wisconsin.

Margaret began her lifelong love affair with soccer when she was only four years old. She continued to play the sport throughout her childhood. "When I was 13, I started refereeing just as a summer job that I could have while I was in high school---a way to play soccer but have a flexible job with some money on the side," Margaret once explained. "I never dreamed for a moment that it would take me to where it has."

During college, this exceptional athlete served as a defender on her school's women's soccer team. In 2000, Margaret's senior year, the team advanced into the women's NCAA Division III Final Four. That year,the intrepid player was named a Division III first team All-American.

After graduating from college, Margaret became the first female to officiate a game for the Milwaukee Wave. In 2007-2008, Margaret worked as a FIFA international assistant referee, and in 2010 and again in 2014, she worked the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups. She also worked the 2012 Portugal-based Algarve Cup Championship. In 2015, Margaret was selected as a match official for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Margaret says she feels lucky to be able to referee and still work full-time in the classroom. "I've been fortunate. I think that refereeing is always a very good job to have with the teaching," she declares. "I'm very fortunate to have administrators who have allowed me to continue on this journey."