Raised on a farm in Jasper County, I graduated from Newton High School and Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant with a B.A. in history. Starting in the Ford administration, I have taught Social Studies in Oakland (Riveside), Mingo, Colfax-Mingo, and Ankeny.  I started at Northview in 1998. During those years, I have taught every Social Studies class from eighth grade U.S. History through Advance Placement Government.

Ninth grade World Cultures is my favorite. We get to use every discipline in the Social Studies curriculum-- geography, history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, and government—in order to understand the regions and cultures studied. The Chinese have a blessing and curse: “May you live in interesting times.” We do! I enjoy challenging myself and my students to make sense of the changes and trends unfolding before our eyes.

Citizenship should extend beyond classroom lessons. I have been and am active in my community and church. I combined teaching with running a family farm until 2003. The livestock industry, and the joy of the Iowa seasons, will always be with me. My three children, politics, baseball, and an adult Sunday school class help to keep me happy and grounded.

John.Cannon@ankenyschools.org

John Cannon – World Cultures

Northview Middle School

1010 N.W. Prairie Ridge Dr.

Ankeny, Iowa 50023

515-965-9705-1125