Montclair State Italian Majors Teach Italian in Montclair Schools!

Faculty and students in the Italian Program have partnered with Montclair residents to start an Italian after school program designed to introduce children to useful vocabulary in Italian, holidays, stories, recipes and art. The name of the program, La Freccia Azzurra, was inspired by the tale written by the well-known Italian author Gianni Rodari. The program was started by Montclair residents Benedetta Balsimelli, Marisa Trubiano (Montclair State University Associate Professor MLL), Federica Grigioni and supported by additional University faculty, Teresa Fiore and Enza Antenos. Teacher Education students, Ashly Espinoza, Federica Piccitto, Domenica Russo have gained valuable experience working with the program. Ashly Espinoza, Montclair State Teacher Education major in Spanish and Italian, stated “La Freccia Azzurra has been an amazing opportunity to develop and master diverse teaching skills . . . As a new teacher, it is challenging to create lesson plans that include creative activities  . . . and fulfill the different requirements for teaching a world language.” The program had successful sessions at Edgemont Montessori and St. Cassian Schools, and plans are underway for sessions at Watchung Elementary in the fall. For more information on La Freccia Azzurra please check the website at: https://lafrecciaazzurrausa.com