I think it is important to make what you are teaching relevant to your surrounding area. On the other hand, I feel it is important that students receive all sorts of experiences in the classroom. This will make them a more well rounded individual. I think the more relevant the topic to a student the more they will get out of it and remember it down the road. Teaching a child in IL about the tropical rain forest is interesting and necessary, but won't be as interesting as teaching them about farming techniques from long ago. It's all about making a connection to their lives and making it relevant and interesting.