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.
Fiorella Botta Burke
I am very happy to become a part of the amazing team at Scuola Italiana di Portland! I received my master’s degree in Language for International Communication at the University of Naples “L’Orientale” in Naples, Italy. I love to travel and was fortunate to receive a European Scholarship which allowed me live in Spain for some time. I have also enjoyed working and studying in London, UK. During my college years and after graduation, I worked as an English language teacher with high school students, and I have tutored children and adults in both English and Spanish. I can’ t wait to show all of my new students the language that Dante Alighieri used to speak, “the one with a romantic sound and immortal soul: the Italian language and its culture”.
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.
The Board of Directors
Grazia Solazzi
President and Founder
Grazia Cunningham
Vice President
Andrea Scasso
Treasurer
Jo Ann Gallo
Secretary
Bob Iannacone
Director
