by Sally Ho
Spanish still may be the runaway favorite for students learning a foreign language in Illinois, but one northwest suburban teacher has nearly quadrupled enrollment for a less ubiquitous language –Italian.
Lisa Sasso, an Italian teacher at South Middle School at 400 S. Highland Ave., started the foreign language program in the 2002-03 school year with a $25,000 grant and 40 students. A decade later, Sasso has had a full course load with 120 students and a part-time teacher who takes on 30 more kids.