Sergio’s European roots trace back to Burgenland in southern Austria and the Veneto region of Italy, where the Simon family is spread. He grew up in Chicago in a multilingual environment, exposed to German through his Austrian father and Lithuanian through his mother. He later studied Latin, French, and German—skills that proved valuable during his work in technical industries across Europe.
A strong desire to expand the presence of Italian in everyday life in the United States led to the launch of Italia in Ohio (IIO) in 2012. Over the years, the school played a key role in cultivating a vibrant and growing Italian community in Columbus.
In 2021, Italian Dream Academy (IDA) was born from Rosa Di Grottole’s vision to expand the program beyond its original scope—broadening the curriculum, introducing initiatives such as the Book Club, cultural events, and study abroad experiences, and creating new opportunities for connection and engagement. In partnership with Sergio Simon, this vision took shape as a dynamic and evolving program.
With the addition of online classes, IDA extended its reach well beyond the Midwest, while its in-person events helped build and strengthen a close-knit local community. The Academy also developed a curriculum aligned with CEFR standards, further enhancing the quality and structure of its offerings.
Today, under Rosa Di Grottole’s leadership, Italian Dream Academy continues to grow and evolve while honoring the strong foundation built through the years. Sergio remains an important part of the IDA community and continues to be involved with the school as a dedicated student and supporter, sharing his passion for Italian language and culture and maintaining the connection that has helped shape the Academy’s journey.