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Teachers
The first director of the School was Mrs. M. Butti and the first teacher was Mr. Tony Falcone.
Melania Stavale
Melania Stavale was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Every year I travel to Italy to visit my family and to always stay connected with my culture. I have completed a Masters Degree in Psychology and Diploma is Social Work. I have worked in Private Practice for many years, and am currently employed with Edmonton Catholic Schools. I have dedicated over 10 years of teaching with the Dante Alighieri Society and continue to share my passion for Italian culture and language. I have been a part of many Italian societies such as The Appennini Folk Dancers of Edmonton for 19 years, Santa Maria Goretti Parish and the Ital-Canadian Seniors Center. I also teach a children's Italian Summer Camp at the Ital-Canadian Seniors Center every summer. I love my knowledge of Italian culture with everyone around!
Bianca Cerisano
Bianca Cerisano has taught with the Dante Alighieri Italian Program since 2023. She obtained her Bachelor of Education degree from Concordia University of Edmonton, and is an elementary teacher with the Edmonton Catholic School District. Her family is originally from Calabria, Italy and she is active within the Italian community in the city.
Loretta Moscardelli-Bacon
Loretta Moscardelli-Bacon has been teaching for over forty years. I am fiercely proud of my Italian heritage and I thoroughly enjoy teaching the Italian language and culture to students. I am so happy to witness students when they are proud of their Italian accomplishments and enthusiasm for culture and traditions. It is our job as promoters and teachers to instill in students motivation and passion for learning the wonderful Italian language. LONG LIVE THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE!
Giampiero Iannone
I am a veteran high school Math and Science teacher here in Edmonton. I was born in Italy, and I came to Canada in 1999. I enjoy working with people, young and less young. I am a big fan of astronomy and I take pictures of the night sky through my telescope when I can. I also like travelling (to Italy, of course!) and reading and swimming and keeping up with the times. I have two wonderful children aged 4 and 6 who keep me young!
Francesca Cardile
Francesca Cardile was born in Reggio Calabria, where I studied and started my teaching career. I transferred to Edmonton, where I live. I frequented courses at the University of Alberta. Teaching is my passion, and I am doing it for a long time. I love to share my experiences with my students. I like to read, take long walks, travel to Italy, and on a cold winter night playing cards. Saying goodbye, I hope that you will enjoy my classes, and your learning experiences be wonderful.
Ciao a tutti!
Kristina Perri
Hi! My name is Kristina Perri and I am super excited to be teaching at Dante Alighieri School. I was born in Edmonton, however my family originates from the Calabria region. When I was younger my grandparents would always speak Italian to me and when I was in high school and university I started studying it formally in school. I continued learning languages and now teach Spanish and French at a junior high. After studying University in Italy for a semester and multiple trips I continue to love the language and I am looking forward to sharing this with you.
Raffaella Musciagna
I was born and raised in Italy and moved to Canada in 2008, bringing a deep love for my culture, language and a strong work ethic. After dedicating 7 years to learn English and building a new life here I started my own business. My family tries to go to Italy often so the children stay connected to their roots and keep the Italian language alive. I started volunteering at the Dante Alighieri School and then started teaching. I am a dedicated, caring and a compassionate teacher. My goal is to keep the culture, tradition and language as the main focus in the students lives.
Catrina Mandaliti
Ciao a tutti, my name is Catrina Mandaliti and I have been a teacher of the Italian language at the Dante Alighieri Society for the past 20 years. With a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Italian, I bring both academic expertise and a deep personal passion to my teaching. I believe that learning Italian is not just about acquiring a new language but also about connecting with a rich cultural heritage that spans centuries. Through this work I hope to inspire my students to embrace the beauty of the Italian language and broaden their horizons, whether for travel, future business, or personal enrichment. Our commitment at the Dante to preserving and celebrating Italian culture ensures that future generations will continue to connect with and cherish this timeless heritage.
For the 2024–2025 school year, the teachers are:
- No Courses
- Pre-School and Kindergarten - Melania Stavale
- Introductory and Level One - Raffaella Musciagna
- Level Two and Level Three - Bianca Cerisano
- Level Four and Level Five - Loretta Moscardelli-Bacon
- Credit Courses
- Italian 10, 20 and 30 - Catrina Mandaliti
- Courses for Adults
- Adult Beginner - Kristina Perri
- Adult Intermediate - Francesca Cardile
- Adult Advanced - Giampiero Lannone