The Italian American Academy is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 2010. It provides specialized Italian language classes to all children in San Diego.
The academy is the creation of three individuals possessing similar traits: all are native Italian, women, mothers of young children, experienced foreign language educators, passionate, have taught locally at the Italian Cultural Center, and completed their graduate studies at the University of Venice obtaining Master’s Degrees in Italian Language and Promotion of Italian Culture Abroad. Together, they co-authored and published a thesis, “Comprehensive Plan for a Bilingual, Bi-Curricular School in San Diego” which was highly praised by its professors.
Its founders are Maria Maestrini Williams, Rossella Broglia and Nicoletta Mazis. They felt a need for a brand new type of school. One they would like their own children to attend. The idea of a school offering programs based on the current and official elementary school curriculum in Italy which blends rigorous European curriculum with a dynamic American teaching style was hatched.
They completed a comprehensive business plan spearheaded by Nicoletta and applied the work done for their thesis to San Diego County transforming their vision into reality.
Maria Maestrini Williamson former president of the academy recently resigned this past summer due to personal reasons and has since been replaced by newly elected president Carol Gratzke who shares a deep passion and love of Italy and children. She also brings her bookkeeping experience to the academy as a former certified public accountant.
The Italian American Academy offers its students two tracks. One specifically designed for Italian speakers and the other designed for beginners with no previous exposure to the language.
Currently classes are taught by four outstanding and experienced Italian native speakers: Rossella Broglia from Pavia, Nicoletta Mazis from Padua, Marianna Spinelli from Naples, and Rosanna Bose Kemper from Formia.
Classes offered are Lingua e Cultura Italiana (livello 1, 2); Lingua e Cultura dei piccoli; IFL (Italian as a foreign language) for elementary school students; IFL (Italian as a foreign language) for middle school students: Cook & Play Italian (Preschool-Kindergarten); Italian through art (Kindergarten-8th grade) and are taught throughout the year at Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and San Diego French American School located in La Jolla.
Taught in a fun and nurturing environment, kids are encouraged to open their minds to a new language and perspective on the world. Using an immersion-style approach, students are guided toward a greater understanding of Italian culture as they are taught how Italians really speak in their day-to-day lives.
The academy is currently pursuing certification so that middle school enrichment programs are recognized by Italy and given proper accreditation towards completion.
In less than two years, the academy has experienced tremendous growth. It also appears that there is a new generation of Italians and Italian Americans who desire that their children learn Italian.
To learn more about the academy, class schedule and tuition, visit online at www.iaasd.org/SCHEDULE_JCC_2013-2014-final.pdf
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