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The Italian Language Foundation

Promoting and Supporting Italian Language Education

The ILF’s 2023 Teacher Recognition Awardees!

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Each year, the Italian Language Foundation recognizes two outstanding teachers from across the United States for their commitment to excellence in the teaching of Italian. The 2023 Awardees were Enza Antenos from Montclair State University and Steven LaPeruta from Nutley High School. We asked them both to share a bit more about themselves, so we can all be inspired by their passion for teaching Italian and their impressive careers! Check out their stories below. 

Enza Antenos

In everyday life, Italian is present beyond borders, transcending national boundaries. American movies, television, and streaming service programming regularly feature Italy and the Italian language – one needs only to think of the second season of White Lotus, or House of Gucci or even the soon-to-be-released Ferrari. Moreover, Italy remains a top destination for American students studying abroad, and most of all, Made in Italy, the worldwide famous label, speaks the language of timeless elegance, exquisite craftsmanship, and refined taste. 
 
My Italian classes at Montclair State U embrace Made in Italy: from the ABCs (Armani, Barilla, Campari) to Italy’s rank as a world economic leader, to the strong presence of Italian companies in the U.S.A., especially in my home state of New Jersey, which hosts the headquarters of Ferrari, Ferrero, Safilo, and Technogym close to our campus, and adds a practical dimension to our exploration.
 
Introducing Made in Italy right from Elementary 101 sparks my students’ curiosity, inspiring some to pursue a major in Language, Business & Culture with a focus on Italian. We explore the core qualities embedded in Made in Italy products, ranging from aesthetic beauty to technical expertise and excellence. Additionally, students learn how to navigate the intricacies of marketing these products internationally, taking into account the cultural nuances that can impact success.
 
Studying Made in Italy goes beyond mere financial aspects of different brands, delving into the cultural and historical layers that define the business of Made in Italy. It is more than just commerce; it embodies a form of humanistic capitalism. 
 
Many Italian brands invest not only in their products but also in their employees and communities. For example, in 1910, Ermenegildo Zegna (founder of his eponymous brand) planted trees in the area surrounding his business, “igniting a sustainable spirit and reforestation project” long before we recognized the detrimental effects of unsustainable business practices.
 
Consider also Luisa Spagnolo, a chocolatier and candymaker famous for her Bacio Perugina, a pioneer in equality and fair pay for women in the workplace in 1915 when she hired the wives of her male employees who had gone to war. She even established daycare facilities at the factory for mothers who needed to care for their young children. The founders of Made in Italy brands pioneered standards that extended beyond business, embodying values of sustainability, social responsibility, and equality that continue to this day.

Steven LaPeruta

Following the completion of my M.A. at Middlebury’s C.V. Starr School in Florence, I promptly embarked on my teaching career, instructing both intermediate and advanced levels of Italian at Old Bridge High School. Under my guidance, the Italian program flourished, becoming the second-largest language program within the department and ranking among the largest Italian programs in the state of New Jersey, as confirmed by ITANJ statistics at the time.

In 2015, I accepted a position at Everett High School, but it wasn’t long before I  was back at Old Bridge High School, where I dedicated myself to reinvigorating enrollment. In my role as lead Italian teacher, I offered mentorship to my colleagues, introduced new initiatives to increase interest in Italian, and successfully secured grants to fund teaching materials and scholarships. In 2020, I came to Nutley High School, where I currently teach. My primary goal at Nutley is to continue inspiring and providing my students with the linguistic and cultural knowledge they need to thrive in a globalized world. I strive to foster a classroom environment that not only promotes language proficiency but also encourages a deep appreciation for the cultural richness that defines the Italian heritage. Through innovative teaching methods and a continued commitment to the Affective Humanistic Approach to language learning, I aspire to empower my students to become confident, empathetic global citizens, well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected world.

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