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The Staff

EducatioNest is a school built on people.
From our teachers to our teaching assistants, we like to think that what unites us is a profound respect for individuals and kindness, a fundamental hallmark of our being.

Discover the EducatioNest Staff

Click on the images of the EducatioNest staff to learn more.

Leadership and Administration

Paola Ten

Founder
Head of School

Nicole Balsamo

Pedagogical Coordinator
Teacher

Donatella Valenti

Educational Chair

Valentina Accorsi

People&Culture – HR and Office Director

Lucia Reverberi

Admin & Finance
Coordinator

Atelierists

Alberto Dolfi

Music Atelierista

Francesca Colombo

Mentor – Language Coordinator

Wanying
Fu

Chinese Atelierista

Irene Valbonesi

Light Atelierista

Pier Luigi Zanni

Music Atelierista

Maria Serrano Canovas

Art Teacher

Diana Shostak

PE Teacher

0-3
Nursery Teacher

Antonietta Del Prete

Nursery Teacher & Coordinator

Stephanie Rebekka Clark

Nursery Teacher & Coordinator

Anja Thomassen

Nursery Teacher

Milena Goldoni

Nursery Teacher

Amanda Marriner

Nursery Teacher

Ilaria Guerzoni

Nursery Teacher

Isabella Delia

Nursery Teacher

Chie Amakawa

Nursery Teacher

Charlotte Elizabeth Bailey 

Nursery Teacher

Irene Leonardi 

Nursery Teacher

Flavia Roberta Luglio

Nursery Teacher

Ilaria Guerzoni

Nursery Teacher

Camila Paz Mora Villablanca

Nursery Teacher

Eleonora Panciroli

Nursery Teacher

Irene Valboniesi

Atelierista & Nursery Teacher

3-5
Preschool Teacher

Jemma Smith

Preschool Teacher

Erica Mansueto

Preschool Teacher

Alessia Piccinini

Preschool Teacher

Eleonora Andreoli

Preschool Teacher

Cecilia Bignardelli

Preschool Teacher

Quin Tanner

Preschool Teacher

Leontine Barbara Service

Preschool Teacher

5-10
Elementary Teacher

Maria Chiara Martinuzzi

Mentor & Elementary Teacher

Joella Cristina Perez Pardo

Elementary Teacher

Rebekah Sarah Brown

Elementary Teacher

Cecilia Mazzuca

Elementary Teacher

Desirea Cannone

Elementary Teacher

Maria Modena

Elementary Teacher

Rachel Renninger

Elementary Teacher

Romilda Muharremi

Elementary Teacher

Blessed Sarti

Elementary Teacher

Stefania Scognamiglio

Elementary Teacher

Pascaline Rosa Olivia Arciuolo

Elementary Teacher

Georgia Zambelli

Elementary Teacher

Stephanie Clark

Preschool Teacher

Margherita Costantini

Preschool Teacher

Elisa Pinca

Elementary Teacher

Inge Steensma

Elementary Teacher

Morena Maglitto

Elementary Teacher

Anna Ferrari

Preschool Teacher

Taylor Carlton

Elementary Teacher

11-14
Middle School Teacher

Eleonora Bursi

MiddleSchool Teacher & Coordinator

Francesco Bignardi Baracchi

Middle School Teacher

Antonella De Marchi

Middle School Teacher

Athena Harare

Middle School Teacher

Facility Assistant

Rosa Amato

School Assistant

Dorcas Adolfo Asiamah

School Assistant

Loubna Ouannas

School Assistant

Organization

EducatioNest
The American Bilingual School
Via Sgarzeria, 1 – 41121 Modena
iscrive@educationest.org
P.IVA 03806400366

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Paola Ten

Founder Head of School

Paola is a pedagogue and teacher specializing in bilingualism and early learning. With a master's degree in Philosophy and Pedagogy, she has over ten years of experience in bilingual and international schools in London, San Francisco, and Italy, working on early childhood education projects. She is driven by a passion for teaching and interculturality.

Nicole Balsamo

Pedagogical Coordinator
Teacher

Nicole is a teacher and pedagogue, with a degree in Educational Sciences and Pedagogy from the University of Bologna. She worked in a preschool inspired by the Reggio Approach, exploring the importance of child-centeredness and the multiple ways of learning. Passionate about storytelling, graphics, children's literature, and nature, she continues to train to support children in their educational journey through curiosity and wonder.

Donatella Valenti

Educational Consultant

Donatella has over 40 years of experience as a primary school teacher. Specializing in inclusive teaching methodologies and learning disabilities, she has held school coordination and assessment roles. At EducatioNest, she contributes to the development of the vertical curriculum, focusing on primary school.

Valentina Accorsi

People&Culture – HR and Office Director

Valentina is an expert in human resources management and business organization. After six years in Shanghai, she returned to Italy, dedicating herself to writing and training. She is currently HR and Office Director at EducatioNest, with a strong interest in education, gender equality, and journalism.

Alberto Dolfi

Music Atelierista

Alberto is a musician and teacher, with a degree in Communications and a Master's in Music Education. He holds a degree in Piano and Composition and is completing a two-year Master's degree in Music Applied to Visual Arts. His teaching approach integrates technical, practical, and aesthetic elements to develop students' musical sensibilities.

Francesca Colombo

Mentor – Language Coordinator

Francesca holds a degree in Oriental Languages ​​from the University of Milan and a Master's degree in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language from Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She speaks English, French, Spanish, and Chinese and has taught in France, the United States, and China. She believes in the value of cultural exchange and integrates Eastern philosophy into her educational practice.

Irene Valboniesi

Atelierista & Nursery Teacher

Irene is an educator and atelierista with over twenty years of experience in the Reggio Approach. Founder of a center for destructured objects in Modena, similar to Remida in Reggio Emilia, she has designed and led training workshops to promote destructured objects as teaching tools. With a degree in Educational Sciences and a diploma as an atelierista at Reggio Children, she is fascinated by children's ability to connect languages ​​and believes that creativity is a fundamental resource in everyday life.

Antonietta Del Prete

Nursery Teacher & Coordinator

Antonietta is a childcare assistant with a degree in Social Services. After various experiences in the social sector, she discovered a strong passion for working with children. Specializing in sensory education, she leads the Taste Workshop, integrating cooking and nature into educational programs inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Stephanie Rebekka Clark

Nursery Teacher

Stephanie is a nursery school teacher. She graduated from Oakland College, where she studied psychology and graphic design, among other subjects. Given her love for children and her passion for languages, she later decided to obtain her TEFL certification. Stephanie
has taught in several schools in Italy and England. She speaks fluent Italian, in addition to her native English.

Amanda Marriner

Nursery Teacher

Amanda is a native English speaker, TEFL certified, and has experience working in bilingual nurseries and preschools. Born in Sunderland, she has lived in Italy for over ten years, where she worked in language education and teaching English to preschoolers.

Ilaria Guerzoni

Nursery Teacher

Ilaria is an early childhood educator with a degree in Educational Sciences and a master's degree in bilingualism and learning disabilities. She has worked in bilingual schools, specializing in the education of children aged 0 to 3. Passionate about travel, she spent a year in Australia to improve her English.

Jemma Smith

Preschool Teacher

Jemma is a native English teacher with a degree in Modern Languages, specializing in early childhood language education. She has experience in Scotland, Spain, and Italy, where she developed bilingual projects for early childhood, fostering learning through engaging experiences.

Erica Mansueto

Preschool Teacher

Erica is a preschool teacher with a degree in Linguistic and Intercultural Mediation and a specialization in Infant Language Teaching. After experiences abroad in France and England as an au pair, she embarked on a career as an educator and English teacher for children. She believes in bilingualism as a natural learning tool, valuing teaching through play and affection. Passionate about travel, music, and nature, she loves instilling enthusiasm and curiosity in young children.

Alessia Piccinini

Preschool Teacher

Alessia is a teacher and educator, with a degree in Educational Sciences and a close to completing her degree in Primary Education. She has experience teaching in bilingual kindergartens and sees English education as a stimulating and engaging opportunity. Passionate about reading and travel, she loves observing children's progress and listening to their extraordinary perspectives.

Maria Chiara Martinuzzi

Mentor & Elementary Teacher

Maria Chiara holds a degree in Primary Education and specializes in support. She has worked in schools inspired by the Reggio Approach, exploring the value of the "100 languages" of childhood. Passionate about nature and children's literature, she integrates these elements into children's education.

Rebekah Sarah Brown

Elementary Teacher

Rebekah holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Birmingham, specializing in language acquisition and child development. She worked with children aged 2 to 5 in a nursery in the UK and, after obtaining her TEFL certification, moved to Italy in 2017. An expert in bilingual education, she creates projects to support children's linguistic, social, and emotional development.

Cecilia Mazzuca

Elementary Teacher

Cecilia is a teacher with a degree in Primary Education from LUMSA University. Specializing in Early Language Education for Intercultural Communication in Finland, she has studied the Finnish educational system and the Reggio Emilia Approach. After working in bilingual schools, she moved to Modena to join the EducatioNest team. Passionate about reading, painting, and theater, she integrates creativity and interculturality into her educational approach.

Desirea Cannone

Elementary Teacher

Desirea holds a degree in Educational Sciences and specializes in behavioral therapy. She has experience working with children with disabilities and vulnerable groups. Passionate about travel, reading, and dance, she brings an inclusive and dynamic educational approach to the classroom.

Maria Modena

Elementary Teacher

Maria is a primary school teacher, with a degree in Primary Education from the University of Bolzano. She has international experience in trilingual and English-Spanish schools. After teaching experiences in Trentino and Brazil, she continues to develop interdisciplinary teaching methodologies.

Rachel Renninger

Elementary Teacher

Rachel is an English teacher with over eight years of experience in four countries. She holds a degree in Early Childhood and Adolescent Education from Penn State University and a master's degree in Reading. She is passionate about travel, the outdoors, and new cultures.

Romilda Muharremi

Elementary Teacher

Romilda is a teacher and researcher with interests ranging from environmentalism to the theory of affect, from aestheticism to studies of the more-than-human. Specializing in the use of literature and poetry as tools for developing critical and creative thinking, she addresses contemporary sociopolitical issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. She holds a Master of Science in Gender, Justice & Society, a Master of Arts in American Literature & Culture, and a BA in English Language and Literature.

Blessed Sarti

Elementary Teacher

Benedetta holds a degree in European Languages ​​and Cultures, with study experience in the United States, Spain, and France. Passionate about foreign languages ​​and teaching, she combines creativity and engagement in her teaching, enhancing cross-cultural interaction.

Stefania Scognamiglio

Elementary Teacher

Stefania holds a degree in Psychology and Psychobiology and Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Parma. She has experience working with students of diverse ages and backgrounds, developing an inclusive and personalized approach to teaching. Passionate about swimming, reading, travel, and nature, she believes in the value of education as a tool for enhancing the unique potential of each student.

Eleonora Bursi

Middle School Teacher

Eleonora holds a degree in Modern Philology from the University of Bologna. Specializing in Italian language teaching, she believes in an educational approach based on relationships and the valorization of individual skills.

Dorcas Adolfo Asiamah

School Assistant

Dorcas is a school assistant with experience managing and maintaining school spaces. She studied in Ghana and moved to Italy eight years ago. She completed a professional cleaning course and is dedicated to her work. She loves helping people, especially children, by helping create a welcoming and safe environment for them.

Loubna Ouannas

School Assistant

Loubna was born in Morocco and attended military high school for seven years. She speaks Arabic as her native language, as well as French and Italian. She moved to Italy driven by a desire for personal growth through intercultural experiences and encounters. She loves sharing her knowledge, learning from others, and cultivates a strong passion for travel and world cultures, especially cuisine.

Ouafae Zobairi

School Assistant

Ouafae is a school assistant with experience in assisting families and caring for children and the elderly. After graduating from high school with a major in science in Morocco, she moved to Italy where she worked in the hospitality industry for twenty years. She loves working with children, helping them take care of the spaces they live in every day.

Silvia Giacobazzi

Elementary Teacher

Silvia is a psychologist with a degree in Cognitive Processes and Clinical Support Technologies, and is registered with the Emilia-Romagna Register of Psychologists. She completed her internship at a learning center, working with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Passionate about reading, cooking, and swimming, she continues to continuously develop her skills.

Francesco Bignardi Baracchi

Elementary Teacher

Joella Cristina Perez Pardo

Elementary Teacher

Anna Ferrari

Preschool Teacher

Anna is a language teacher and educator with international experience. A graduate of English and Education from the University of Leeds, she has worked in bilingual education, teaching English and Italian to children in Australia, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Nepal, and the United States. Passionate about cultural diversity, she explores the psychological and emotional aspects of language learning with children, developing innovative methods to engage and guide them in the natural process of second language acquisition.

Maria Rita Giovannozzi

Preschool Teacher

Maria Rita is a pedagogue, with a degree in Educational Sciences from Macerata and a degree in Pedagogy from Bologna. She has gained international experience in Spain and Hong Kong, where she taught in an international preschool inspired by the Reggio Approach.
Passionate about reading, travel, and outdoor sports, especially in the mountains, she is deeply attached to her hometown, Ascoli Piceno, and the cultural traditions of its region.

Sara Carolina Trotter

Preschool Teacher

Sara is a preschool teacher with degrees in Geography and Psychology, and a certification in Early Childhood Education. She began her career in Vietnam, discovering a passion for bilingual education. Raised in English and Italian, she values ​​bilingualism as a tool for growth.

Isabella Delia

Nursery Teacher

Eleonora Panciroli

Nursery Teacher

Eleonora is a language teacher with a degree in Language Education. Passionate about travel and discovery, she has enriched her education with several Erasmus experiences. She loves reading, cinema, and exploring new cultures, finding inspiration in the details of everyday life and the beauty of languages.

Camila Paz Mora Villablanca

Nursery Teacher

Camila holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She has worked as a research assistant and educational consultant. Specializing in CLIL methodology and neuroscience applied to education, she moved to Italy to further her studies on the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Elena Mesini

Nursery Teacher

Elena is a teacher with a five-year degree in Foreign Languages, Cultures, and Literatures (she speaks English, Spanish, French, and German). Given her passion for children and foreign language teaching, she decided to pursue a Master's degree in Foreign Language Teaching at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She firmly believes that learning never stops and that, along with children, teachers also have the opportunity to continually explore and experiment with new languages.
At EducatioNest, she initially led various workshops, particularly on storytelling in English, falling in love with the project and the spirit of the school.
Elena also has a great interest in music (theory, singing, and electric bass), theater (she has participated in several amateur shows and musicals), and sports (she plays soccer, swims, and skis).

Anja Thomassen

Nursery Teacher

Anya

Milena Goldoni

Nursery Teacher

Martina Gardini

Nursery Teacher

Lara Gramazio

Nursery Teacher

Lara is a teacher and educator, with a degree in Educational Sciences and a close to completing her degree in Primary Education. She believes in teaching as a space for expression and discovery, integrating art, listening, and creativity into her daily work with children. With passion and dedication, she continues to train to offer a stimulating and inclusive education.

Giulia Righi

PE Teacher

Francesca Adduci

Art Teacher

Francesca is an Art and Image teacher with an international artistic background. With degrees in Scenography and Interior Design and a Master's in Yacht Design, she has lived and worked in Italy, Scotland, England, and Switzerland, gaining experience in various fields of art and design. Since 2021, she has lived in Modena, where she has chosen to dedicate herself to teaching. With a multidisciplinary approach, she conveys to her students the beauty of art and the richness of lived experiences.

Pier Luigi Zanni

Music Atelierista

Wanying Fu

Chinese Atelierista

Lucia Reverberi

Admin & Finance
Coordinator