About the Scuola, a 501c3 non profit organization
The Mission
Scuola Italiana di Portland promotes the Italian language and culture to children and adults in a student-centered environment, nurturing responsible, global citizens by providing cross-cultural understanding and fostering a deep appreciation for world civilizations that intersect with the Italian culture.
The Teachers
My name is Lara Carnovali and I am very happy to be teaching at the Scuola Italiana di Portland.
I come from Milano, Italy and I’ve always dreamed of being a teacher. I received a degree in Education (Scienze della Formazione Primaria) from the University of Milano – Bicocca in 2008. I also worked as a teacher from 2002 to 2009 at an elementary school near Milano, Italy, where I focused on helping my students experience that learning can and must be fun to be effective.
In 2010 I started a collaboration with Edigio’, an Italian publisher of books for children, and in the next months my first illustrated book, “Mielisa, apetta indecisa” will be published.
Ciao! My name is Alessandro and I come from Milano.
I earned my master degree in Political Science from Milano State University where I served as a research assistant, teaching Contemporary History and Political Parties History. I am on the editorial staff of the review “Ventunesimo Secolo”, a review focused on political transitions.
I am a published author of history and I served as editor of the Milano Contemporary History Museums website. I organized cultural events for the Milano Museum and exhibitions such as: “Ritorno alla democrazia” – 60° anniversary of the Italian Republic; “Memorial della Liberazione di Milano” – 60° anniversary of the Liberation of Milan and “Numero Zero”, three days dedicated to the city of Milano.
I collaborate with the online magazine Suite 101 based in Vancouver, BC, writing articles about Italians in history, fashion and sports.
Lucia Biancalana Cantone
Ciao a tutti! My name is Lucia, I come from Livorno, Italy, and I am very happy to be teaching at La Scuola Italiana di Portland.
After I received my degree in Philosophy at the University of Pisa, I found my passion in teaching Italian as a Second Language in Tuscany. I worked with teenagers and adults who were learning Italian for pleasure, study, work, or because they had recently immigrated.
I obtained the DITALS (Certificate of proficiency in teaching Italian as a second language) from the University per Stranieri di Siena. Ultimately, I obtained also my teaching license and became a high school teacher of philosophy, history and social sciences.
“His knowledge and experience based upon his life in Italy coupled with his personality and understanding of American culture, provide us with a unique experience. We are fortunate to have this gentleman as our teacher and mentor.”
My name is Luca Dipierro and I grew up in Merano, a town in the Italian Alps. I graduated in Literature Theory at the University of Bologna. I moved to the USA in 2005 to pursue my career as an animator and illustrator.
I have been teaching Italian, in schools and privately, for twenty years. I grew up in a trilingual part of Italy, and I have always been interested in teaching Italian. I see the
teaching of languages as the first step towards a better understanding of other cultures. I have taught at the ICEEF (European Institute of Culture and Education) and at the University of Bologna, among other places.
My animated films have been shown in festivals and galleries both in the US and Europe (www.lucadipierro.com). I am also a writer and my first book of short stories, Biscotti Neri, was published in Italy in 2011.
Monica Alfieri Tilley
Hello, my name is Monica Alfieri Tilley and I am pleased to be working at Scuola Italiana again.
I come from Siena, Italy where I studied to become an elementary school teacher in high school. I received my Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Siena in 1995 and I was certified in the Reggio Emilia method in 2008 by the City of Reggio Emilia, Department of Schools and Daycares.
I have always loved working with children and began my teaching career in 1987. With the exception of teaching at Scuola Italiana in 2009, my experience has been working in the Italian school system. I returned to Italy after my daughter was born and spent the last school year working at Asilo Nido Palla Pillotta as a preschool teacher.
I am very honored to be able to share my native language and culture with others at the school, and I look forward to fostering a deep appreciation of the Italian language and culture in your children.
Salve! My name is Carlotta. I am very enthusiastic about working for Scuola Italiana and teaching summer camps.
My family is from Italy – my father from Rome, and my mother, Tuscany. Growing up, I spent my summers with my grandparents in Arenzano, a small beach town on the Italian Riviera.
Currently, I am the head teacher at a preschool in SW Portland. I have taught across a wide range of environments, including a constructivist progressive school, a volunteer youth program for children with incarcerated mothers, and an English language learner classroom in one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the country.
I have my Master’s Degree in Childhood Education from Hunter College, where I received the Sidney E. Frank Foundation Scholarship for academic excellence. My Bachelor’s Degree is from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Art Studio. This diverse training helps to inform my unique teaching style, which focuses on hands-on lessons that are visually stimulating!
The Teachers’ Assistants
Ciao! My name is Pina Di Rosa and I am very pleased to be working with the teachers and students at Scuola Italiana.
Before moving to Portland, I lived in Italy and worked as a nurse for more than 20 years. In addition to my nursing education, I have a degree in Italian literature. Scuola Italiana is a good place for me because I love working with children and sharing my native language. I also enjoy traveling with my family, watching movies, and playing my guitar.
Hi, my name is Cosima Potestio and I’m a senior at Cleveland High School. I’m so happy to be working as a teacher’s assistant with Monica at the Scuola Italiana!
I became fluent in Italian when my family moved to Bologna, Italy when I was four and lived there for six years before moving to Portland. Every summer since then I visit my friends and beloved city, Bologna. It is a joy teaching kids Italian because sharing the language and culture is so important to me! I have a passion for learning, languages and kids. Next year, I will begin college to study Romance languages and education.
The Board of Directors
Grazia Solazzi
President and Founder
Grazia Cunningham
Vice President
Andrea Scasso
Treasurer
Jo Ann Gallo
Secretary
Bob Iannacone
Director
