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KYLE HICKMAN OF WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH
Teaching students civic responsibility is one of the goals for Wheaton Warrenville South teacher, Kyle Hickman. The third year teacher continually looks for ways to make the lessons he teaches in his U.S History and American Government classes relevant to students' lives. "We have been spending time looking at the budget crisis in district 200 because it directly affects them. I encourage them to be active and participate-to become a voice in the process. When I can show them how things directly affect them, they respond. "
One of the ways Kyle helps his students experience history is to ask them to become historians through a writing assignment. Students must answer the question "who's philosophy was better for America-Martin Luther King's or Malcolm X's?' in a research paper. Student are expected to use various documents like speeches to back up their answers, "which is what historians do," notes Kyle
During the summer school breaks, Kyle takes part in seminars to broaden his knowledge. Last summer he spent three weeks in Boston and one in Washington, D.C. sharing his ideas and listening to ideas from other educators.
Kyle assists with the high school's youth in government program where students participate in mock sessions which simulate real government sessions. The students travel to Springfield, meet in Senate Chambers and run for offices during the annual event.
After one of his fellow teachers announced his retirement, Kyle offered to take over the teacher's Relay for Life program. "This is really a student driven event," he says of the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. "We combine high schools in town and this year, it will be held at South in May. It's a very meaningful event because cancer has touched nearly everyone's life. I had a close friend growing up who had cancer at the age of 15."
Kyle recently asked his girlfriend to marry him. "We are both huge fans of the radio show, 'This American Life' so I recorded a version of the show and played it for her while we were on a trip." Kyle's version of the show included a proposal of marriage. "She said yes but we haven't set a date yet."
Meanwhile, Kyle continues to look for new ways to help his students realize their place in American society. "I definitely feel my responsibility is to make sure they have the basic knowledge of how this country works."t–Judy Buchenot

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