I Professori
At College of San Mateo native speakers of Italian provide instruction in courses on campus and via distance learning, continuing for many students the work the work they began in local high schools.
Professors
(l. to r.)
Antonella Wemple
(Burlingame
High School)
Tiziana Balestra
My name is Tiziana Salvato. I was born in Italy, in the city of Chieti, a very beautiful town in the region of Abruzzo. I graduated from "The Sapienza University" of Rome where I earned a degree in Italian language and literature. I also received teaching credentials by successfully passing a state-mandated exam. I then taught Italian language and literature, history, geography and Latin for three years. I also taught English.
This year I have joined CSM as an adjunct faculty member in the Italian department. This Fall 2002 semester I will teach two evening classes: Italian 121 and Italian 802.
I moved here from Italy two years ago and I am very enthusiastic about sharing the language, culture and way of life of my native country. I am very excited about teaching and I am looking forward to meeting my students. I know Italy well and I have a lot of things about such a beautiful country that I want to share with you.
Ciao e a presto!
Guy Marra
I was born in Italy where I attended elementary and middle schools. In San Francisco, I attended City College of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and the University of San Francisco. I have a degree in Italian and one in International Relations. I also have a bilingual/bicultural certificate in Spanish.
I have taught Italian at San Francisco State University, the University of San Francisco, and South San Francisco High School. I have also taught the language in Peru and Argentina. I have taught Italian at Skyline College, and I have been teaching it at CSM for the last 7 years. I have also taught Spanish, English as a Second Language, and World History.
From 1972 to 1979, I served as Principal of the School of Italian Language and Culture of South San Francisco, and I have also served as President of the Italian Association of Teachers of Italian, Northern California Chapter.
I love teaching and I consider it one of the most noble professions. I am looking forward to seeing you, the sudents, this coming semester. My colleagues and I are very excited to share with you what is considered one of the most beautiful languages, Italian, as well as Italian culture and way of life. Our Italian Program consists of regular college courses, conversational classes, and TV classes. If you are planning a trip to Italy, our program will be of help to you. If you plan to study Italian in Italy, we will have suggestions for you.
So, until we meet, I will say ARRIVEDERCI A PRESTO!
Leda Mussio
Leda Mussio was born and raised in Florence, Italy. She received her doctoral degree (laurea) from the University of Florence where she also taught as an assistant professor for ten years after graduation.
In 1968 she moved to California, having been offered the position of Senior Lecturer in Italian by Stanford University. She taught in the French-Italian Department at Stanford until retirement in 1997, offering Italian language courses at all levels as well as Italian Civilization and Italian Cinema. From 1979 to 1987 she was a Resident Fellow of the Italalian House of Stanford where she developed the house program, organizing lectures and cultural events in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. From 1976 to 1982 Ms. Mussio organized and directed a weekly Italian Film Series open to the campus and to the general public.
After retiring from Stanford she has been teaching Italalian at Cañada and San Mateo Colleges. Ms. Mussio still considers herself a "fiorentina" and has spent almost every summer vacation in her city of birth where she also taught several times in the Stanford-in-Florence Program.