We pride ourselves in teaching the Italian language and culture to children, youth and adults for over 30 years. All our teachers are highly qualified and experienced. They make use of the latest teaching materials. In both children’s and adults’ classes, they will ensure not only that students learn the language, but that they have loads of fun while doing it.
Sofia Dal Pastro
I was born in Bassano del Grappa, a city close to Venice. I’m an Italian pre-school and primary school teacher with Canadian citizenship. I have a master’s degree in Primary teacher Education. I love teaching and educating because of its impact on future generations. I moved to Canada in 2019 to learn more about the Canadian school system and to improve my teaching skills in another environment.
Until 2020 I was the Italian teacher of the group of students aged 6/7 at the Italian Cultural Centre and of the students aged 6-11 at the Holy Cross school.
Now I’m one of the teachers at the childcare, Scuola d’infanzia “L’Albero Magico” opened in September 2020.
Betta De Cillis
I was born and raised in Genova, Italy. I hold a University degree in Sports Science. In Italy I worked in the physical and motor skill development field. In 2004 I moved to the States with my husband and my two children. Relocated to Canada, in 2010, I started to work at the ICC.
I teach to children from toddlers to teens. In the last years at the Centre I have been coordinating the children’s theater group too.
Erodiana Pacitti
I was born in Canada and moved to a little town near Rome when I was 2 years old. I have been working for more than 25 years as a Primary School Teacher in Italy. Working closely with children in-home and public school environments.
After moving back to Canada in 2017, I studied to become an ECE Assistant.
In September of 2021 I started working at Scuola d’infanzia “L’Albero Magico” and teaching Italian to children aged 3-4 at the Italian Cultural Centre on Saturday mornings.
Rebecca Johnson
My name is Rebecca N Johnson. I was born on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver early 2021.
I am an Early Childhood Educator Assistant.
Though I do not have a background in Italian language, or culture, I am very interested in it and am eager to learn. I do, however, have a background in childcare. I was hired into my first practicum and worked through my second in the same center. I will be a fully certified ECE before the start of summer 2022. Prior to being an ECEA I have done childcare for many years through friends and family. I love to travel and to experience new cultures.
Sara Fera
I was born in Naples but I raised in the nearby town of Caserta, Italy. I hold a Master Degree in Social and Territorial Policies at the University of Federico II of Naples. I specialized with a thesis studying migration flows of Italian graduates in the United States of America. To complete my studies, I lived and studied in the USA for three years. During this period, I had the opportunity to start teaching Italian at the University of Tennessee. In August 2018 I moved to Vancouver, Canada and I began teaching at the Italian Cultural Centre. I love teaching Italian language, but also sharing my culture. What I particularly like about teaching is the opportunity to meet students from many countries around the world and come into contact with various cultures.
Gianna Omenetto
Ciao!
My name is Gianna and I was born in Friuli (Italy). Graduated in Architecture in the same city loved by James Joyce, Trieste, I discovered my passion for photography. Professor of History and Technique of Photography at the University of Trieste, I had the pleasure of carrying out spatial and social research through the use of photographic images. A teacher started to call me an “urban hound”, I think because I love to go in search of the meaning of things, beyond things. The strong interest of students for the Italian language and culture leads me to give my best and to pass on what I have learned over time with energy and passion, in a continuous and fruitful exchange.
Veleria Ingo
I was born and raised in a small town on the beautiful island of Sicily. I have a master degree in Euro-American Languages and literature from the University of Palermo.
I met my husband, a Vancouverite, in 2012 while teaching Italian in the French city of Grenoble. I quickly relocated with him to Vancouver.
I love coming up with interesting and novel ways to share the Italian language and culture with interested people, such as on my Youtube channel and other social video platforms.
Antonia Butti
I was born and raised in Lake Como, in the Italian region of Lombardy and I moved to Vancouver in 2001. I have a degree in Modern Languages and Literatures from the University of Milan and I also speak French fluently. I am a certified translator and an enthusiastic group fitness leader. Since I moved to Vancouver, I have been offering Italian lessons at various levels.
My goal is to teach my mother tongue and spread the love for my home country by offering classes that are tailored to my students’ interests and passions and by creating a welcoming, fun and stimulating environment.
Redia Hoxha
My name is Redia Hoxha. I was born in Durres, Albania, a beautiful city replete with Roman and Byzantine heritage. At a young age I moved to Pescara, Italy, were I have studied and completed my bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages, EngIish and French at Gabriele D’Annunzio University. I grew up in a family of teachers which inspired me to take on tutoring and mentoring roles. I have been teaching Italian L2 (as a second language) to newcomers in Italy for more than 10 years. Teaching Italian language and transmitting Italian culture has always been my passion. From 2015 I moved to Canada with my husband and two kids. I am very happy that from March 2022 I have been added part of the Italian Cultural Centre staff teachers.
Irene Mazzucato
I was born in Mestre, a city next to Venice, but I grew up in Treviso. Languages are my passion, and my goal is always to improve and learn new ones!
I studied in Venice, at Ca’ Foscari University, and I have a bachelor’s degree in Language, Civilization and the Science of Language in Spanish and Italian Sign Language.
I moved to Canada for the first time in 2016 and I also attended a College Business Communication program. I started working at the Italian Cultural Centre in 2021, teaching my beautiful mother tongue to Adults.
Eleonora Baldini
Hello everyone, I’m Eleonora. I come from Rome, and I was born in 1998. I have a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Management at University “La Sapienza” of Rome, and I have a strong passion for languages. I won an Erasmus Scholarship 2 years ago to study in Madrid for six months. Now I’m living in Vancouver, I’m studying at Canadian Tourism College, in the meantime I’m an Italian Teacher at ICC.
I love teaching, I consider myself patience, comprehensive and passionate. I had so many professors that explained superficially, without pay attention to their students. Honestly, I don’t want to be like them. As your teacher, I will make sure that everyone understands how beautiful is learning a new language!
Gaetano Setticasi
Born and raised in Sicily, I have dedicated my life to the study of languages and translation. I got my degree in Language and Cultural Mediation at the University of Udine where I have been selected for an Erasmus project at Bangor University in Wales. I also studied at the International Language Academy in Vancouver to perfect my English (IELTS General Training and C2 Proficiency) and attended various workshops at the British International School of London.
I moved to Vancouver in 2021 and the Italian Cultural Center has allowed me to continue to put my passion and experience with languages to good use. Sharing Italian culture wherever I am in the world has always been my goal, I find Italian extremely fascinating and a great first step into the world of wonders Italy has to offer.
Andrea Helder Dante
I come from Perugia, a medieval town in the middle of Italy famous for its chocolate factory, the International Jazz festival, and the local pizza called “torta al testo.”
There, I obtained a master’s degree in Law and worked till 2019, when I came to Vancouver to improve my English. In Vancouver, I met my wife. Together, we decided to stay.
Since August 2019, I have been teaching at the Italian Cultural Centre. I teach Italian to adult students, trying to share my passion for food, history, and old Italian movies.
Alice Procuranti
Hello everyone! My name is Alice and I come from Brescia (Italy).
I am currently living in Vancouver where I am attending ILAC International College. I have always been fond of languages and my studies and life experiences reflect that. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Languages and Literatures (English and Spanish). Furthermore, I am about to finish my Master’s Degree in Specialized Translation and Conference Interpreting at IULM University in Milan. In 2019 I was selected for an ERASMUS project at Alfonso X el Sabio in Madrid (Spain). Thanks to the Italian Cultural Centre my long-life dream to work in the educational field has come true. I am looking forward to seeing where this wonderful journey will take both my students and me.
Giulia Levrini
I am an educator and illustrator. I graduated with honors with a Master in Philology in Parma and had the opportunity to live in various countries. I know firsthand what it means being “a beginner” in a new language as well as the joy that comes when you finally are able to communicate with new friends or faraway relatives.
I am passionate about Italian culture and language, and love sharing it with others. My hope is that, through interactive lessons (with a variety of activities), we can share stories, open doors to new horizons and build bridges between peoples.
Thanks to the teachers who have collaborated with the ICCS School so far: Domenico Sorace, Elena Caselli, Alba Lenzi, Alessia Corica, Domingo Aviles, Emanuela Bontempelli, Giada Maffi, Giulia Spagni, Francesca Penso, Ludovica Soleri, Erica Locatelli, Andrea Perosino, Sonia Del Torto, Rosa Tammaro, Sabrina Minasola, Andrea Privitera, Valentina Guarneri, Serena Bonomi, Francesca Di Salvo, Michele Fontana, Andrea Privitera, Maria Grazia Petrucci.. and many many others.