"About Me:

I’m a passionate teacher and scholar with over 25 years of experience and five published books. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Pisa, in Italy, before starting my graduate education in the United States. I hold an MA in Classics from Johns Hopkins University and an MA, MPhil, and PhD from Yale University, also in Classics. I am fluent in English, Italian, and French, and I offer high-level instruction in both modern and ancient languages, as well as in Classics, literature, and the humanities more broadly.

My method for teaching Latin and Ancient Greek is built on a solid foundation of grammar, beginning with a review of English morphology and syntax. Students often begin translation work without fully grasping the fundamental principles of language operation. The establishment of this foundation enables students to appreciate the works of ancient authors such as Cicero, Virgil, Homer, and Plato. My twenty years of teaching experience at institutions in Italy and the US show that genuine classical text study enables students to build their confidence and academic skills. It’s deeply rewarding to see pupils progress from uncertainty to fluency, gaining both linguistic competence and cognitive flexibility along the way. Furthermore, the proper teaching methods that maintain the complexity of ancient languages ensure their survival.

I instruct students in Italian and French using a teaching approach that combines guided learning with adaptable methods, linking grammatical rules to cultural experiences. Lessons may include a Neapolitan song, or a Camus short story—all while reinforcing correct grammar and natural expression. My time living and studying in both Europe has helped me bring the living language into the classroom. The lessons I offer are designed to meet your individual learning requirements for academic purposes or general knowledge." less...