What does it take for a teacher to inspire students? For Mr. Giovanni Minicucci, the answer is in a path that goes from Italy to Chicago, with stops in entertainment, fashion, and higher education along the way.
He was born and raised in Italy and finished his bachelor’s degree back home. He then traveled to the United States to acquire two Master’s degrees, one in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture, and the other in Italian Studies with a focus on Medieval and Early Modern studies as well as Cinema Studies. Mr. Mincucci is currently completing his PhD in Spanish at the University of Chicago.
He never thought about being a teacher initially but then realized his passion after being given the opportunity to teach college in Rochester, New York. Growing up overseas meant that his perspective on school differed from what he is accustomed to here. Mr. Mincucci described how students in America remain seated in one class as opposed to roaming class to class with their professors. He also brought up how sports are heavily involved, whereas in Italy it would be school then go back home.
“Here you build friendships that can last forever,” he said. “In Italy, once the day ended, you went home.”
Minicucci has led a life that extends beyond the classroom. In the past his dream was to be an entertainer, which led him to work at hotels and resorts. He liked this job, but out of nowhere this then led to a modeling job in Milan. With what started as a game he was surprised and unexpectedly casted for the job. After this it opened doors which led him to model for Gucci in 2018. Mr. Minicucci says all the work was fun, and he enjoyed it a lot but felt somewhat controlled and ended up finding his passion in teaching. This inspiration came from when he was in high school and his teachers inspired him.
From teaching college students in Rochester, New York, to now being a first-year high school teacher, he is really devoted to education. His goal as a teacher is not only to help students learn Spanish but also to understand the culture and history. He recently showed his classes a video of El Grito de Mexico to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day, explaining why traditions like that matter. He reminds students that learning a second language can make them stand out later in life, whether in travel or on a resume.
“Most American students love to travel, and knowing another language helps them connect with people and opportunities,” he says.
For Minicucci, teaching isn’t only about making sure students fully understand the lesson but also about creating a classroom where kids feel comfortable and relaxed. He observed that many students come into class already stressed from other subjects or from the challenge of learning a new language. His goal is to ease that stress and make his classroom feel more relaxed compared to classes like math or English, which can feel overwhelming at times.
Mr. Minicucci also encourages his students to practice what they learn in real situations, even around Mount Carmel, such as speaking Spanish with the lunch staff.
Teaching at Mount Carmel has been a good experience for him so far. Being a Catholic himself, he was attracted to the school’s community and principals. He mentioned that the welcoming atmosphere from both students and faculty made him feel accepted.
“From the beginning it felt like family,” he said. “The students come from all over Chicago and even Indiana, and I’ve loved learning about their different backgrounds.”
Even as a PhD candidate in Spanish colonial history, Mr. Minicucci loves being a teacher and helping students learn a new language here at MC. He feels that students shouldn’t feel pressured to only take Spanish because it’s such a big language but instead take what best fits them and what they find interesting.
“The most important thing is that they feel supported,” he says. “Even if they leave knowing just a little more Spanish, I want them to walk out with a smile and the sense that they learned something for their future.”
