Dist. 300 teacher brings world into the classroom

Ask a typical seventh-grader about Islam, personal finances, or 9/11 and you'll most likely be met with a blank stare and a long “um.”

But one teacher in Community Unit District 300 is teaching 12- and 13-year-olds about the wide world around them, opening their minds to issues from the global financial crisis to what it means to be a Republican versus a Democrat.

Westfield Community School teacher John Cappas created the Algonquin school's foreign cultures class, an exploratory course for seventh- and eighth-grade students that has grown in popularity since it started three years ago.

Westfield offers exploratory courses giving students an opportunity to delve into such subjects as art, technology, general music, careers and foreign cultures.

“This is what kids need to be learning,” Cappas said. “It puts what's going on in the news into something that they can relate to ... so when they hear about the federal government having trouble paying its bills, they understand.”

Westfield Principal William Doran said students thrive on the atmosphere Cappas creates in his classroom.

“Part of the success of the program is a result of his energy and his passion for learning,” Doran said. “It is contagious with the kids.”

During one class, students discussed Islam and Mohammed — Cappas fired questions around the room and students raised their hands with a slew of responses.

He pulled out a copy of the “Economist” magazine with a satirical cartoon commenting on the global push to raise taxes on the rich.

“I like learning about other cultures,” said Asia Oles, 12. “It is important for children to start learning more of the world instead of just what we know around us — expand our horizons.”

Ricky Lattanzio, 12, said the class is “fun and interesting” and often tackles serious subjects like 9/11.

“It is important to learn about history,” Lattanzio said. “We see all of this stuff on the news and we wouldn't understand it. Now we watch the news and understand what is going on.”

Foreign policies and international politics are part of Cappas' background. For 17 years, Cappas was a commodities trader dealing with foreign currencies at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

That all changed when his daughter's school needed a physical education teacher for kindergarten students.

“They gave me a whistle and 24 kindergartners,” Cappas said. “I got hooked with that.”

Cappas, 42, went back to college. He began his teaching career six years ago as a third-grade teacher at Lake in the Hills Elementary School. There, he spearheaded the school's investment club where students participated in mock trading games and learned about credit.

“Yes, they learned how to write a check and balance a checkbook,” Cappas said. “But it's about being trustworthy and knowing your limitations.”