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(Photo by Marina Avramenko/The Talon)

Cook greets audience of students in a Pope costume after rolling out the list of blessings

World history teacher Donald Cook commenced his classes on the roof of the Oak Park High School G building on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 26. Cook presented a long scroll with a list of priced blessings; students congregated below, taking turns being sprayed with water. 

This performance was part of a longer and more elaborate plan that began during the summer break. 

 “‘Roof Pope’ or ‘Pope of the Sophomores’ came to me right before I went to bed on some summer night,” Cook said. “I was laughing so hard to myself that I popped out of bed and started writing everything down including the sign that would be displayed.” 

Cook wants to aid his students’ learning by attaching a memorable experience to every lesson. His pope costume, for example, was inspired by the Great Schism and the Reformation of the Catholic Church, which explores the European wars fought over religion. This was a simulation activity as part of a world history lesson. It was intended to engage students in these content standards, not to disrespect the Catholic Church or the Pope. However, his reach also stretches to kids outside his classroom. 

“Getting blessed for Honors Chemistry and AP U.S. History was magical,” junior Aditi Jain wrote. “I think I actually might do better now. This truly made my day.”

Cook looks to engage students in a creative way, wanting to tackle the challenges of lecturing kids that constantly have access to AI applications, short-form content like social media and other online entertainment options.

“I’m trying to create an environment that can’t be duplicated,” Cook said. “I fear what society is going to look like if we just turn everything over to AI.  In my experience, learning is communal, it’s social, it’s collaborative. It’s in person.”

Cook plans on continuing his costumed appearances.

“Let’s just say, you’re going to want to see what I have planned for the French Revolution,” Cook said. 

This article was updated on Sept. 12 to clarify the purpose of Cook’s activity.