Our Team
Gaetana "Tania" Franciosa
A graduate of the Culinary Art Institute in Agrigento, Sicily, Tania has been teaching our asilo italiano since 2015. She recently added the Pronti a correre classes to her repertoire. Because of her caring, nurturing, and happy disposition, Ms. Tania is loved by our bambini and families. LA PIAZZA DI CAROLINA values and appreciates Signora Tania's assets.
Carolina Gengo
Carolina Gengo has been teaching Italian for 25 years. She grew up in an Italian-American/Canadian family, and fell in love with the Italian culture and language at a very young age. She noticed early on, however, that Italian was not spoken in her home. Her parents came from the immigrant generation and felt they needed to assimilate quickly to American customs by speaking English, which meant that their native language had to be left behind. Carolina remembers often asking family members to speak Italian so that she could learn, but few agreed. She vowed to one day learn Italian and share it with others.
She finally studied Italian at the University of Denver, and later received an M.A. in Italian from Middlebury College in Florence. In between, she worked in Entertainment Public Relations and in the Italian Fashion sector. In addition, countless trips to Italy allowed her to immerse herself in the Italian language, culture, and customs. Upon her return from Italy, she was eager to share her passion for all things Italian with others. What followed was ten years of teaching Italian in the New York metropolitan area, including positions with Preston High School, Byram Hills HS, William E. Cottle Elementary School, The Ward Elementary School, Tuckahoe Middle School, Berlitz, New York University, Westchester Community College, and Fordham University, and private instruction. Carolina is a New York State-certified Italian Instructor K-12. She is the recipient of the AATI Teachers Grant to the Università of Siena and the National Endowment for the Humanities Teachers Grant to the University of Oregon. She has presented at several conferences on the teaching of Italian and is an active member of numerous professional clubs and organizations.
Today, Carolina considers the success of LA PIAZZA DI CAROLINA her greatest professional accomplishment. "The fact that our little Italian school has endured 25 years of success is testimony that there are many families out there that value the Italian language and culture as much as we do." LA PIAZZA DI CAROLINA is located at the Greenville Community Church in Scarsdale, NY. She teaches Italian to children of all ages and adults, in a full-immersion environment.
Roxanne Franquelli
Roxanne Franquelli is an active member of the foreign language and education community. She is currently a policy board member of The Teacher Center of Central Westchester, is one of the regional directors of NYSAFLT (NY State Association of Foreign Language Teachers), and is the Secretary of PoWeRFuL (Putnam-Westchester-Rockland Foreign Language Educators.
Roxanne has been teaching Italian and Spanish in Westchester County for eleven years now. She possesses a B.A. in both Italian and Spanish and a Master's in TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages).
Testimonials
- Giorgia M., Eastchester, NY
- Giorgia M., Eastchester, NY
- Giorgia M., Eastchester, NY
★★★★★
“Carolina, thank you for everything! Adriana really enjoyed camp and learned a lot. She has been singing the Buongiorno song and saying words in Italian! It was the first time she has ever been dropped off without family and she felt so comfortable with you. Looking forward to the fall class. Grazie!”
- Marisa J., Greenwich, CT
- Giorgia M., Eastchester, NY
- Giorgia M., Eastchester, NY
★★★★★
"Carolina,
I would like to tell you how wonderful your Italian school is. My 3 children ages 5yrs., 2 yrs. & 10 months love it. All I have to do is mention we are going to Carolina’s Italian school and they get so excited. The mommy and me classes and summer camp are fantastic. We are looking forward to pre school in the fall. I gave
★★★★★
"Carolina,
I would like to tell you how wonderful your Italian school is. My 3 children ages 5yrs., 2 yrs. & 10 months love it. All I have to do is mention we are going to Carolina’s Italian school and they get so excited. The mommy and me classes and summer camp are fantastic. We are looking forward to pre school in the fall. I gave my 5 year old a choice of which school she’d like to go to and she chose La Piazza Di Carolina. You have such a wonderful way with the children. Amazing!!! Thank you for making this a wonderful experience for me and my kiddos.
xoxo
Marisa"
- Maria M., Yonkers, NY
- Giorgia M., Eastchester, NY
- Savino & Maya, Yonkers, NY
★★★★★
"I have to tell you I am so so happy I sent Giuliana this year. In only a few weeks she learned so much. We are definitely keeping up at home, and Nonna is on board too. I am very happy with La Piazza di Carolina! I sent the website to some of my friends and told them to read the blogs…they are so envious!"
- Savino & Maya, Yonkers, NY
- Alexandra G., Cortland Manor
- Savino & Maya, Yonkers, NY
★★★★★
"My son Luca has attended her Italian language class (La Piazza di Carolina) for the last 2 1/2 years. At three years old, he is completely bilingual, mostly thanks to her. She not only totally immerses children in the Italian language and culture, but provides exercises that benefit their health, minds and coordination as well.We ne
★★★★★
"My son Luca has attended her Italian language class (La Piazza di Carolina) for the last 2 1/2 years. At three years old, he is completely bilingual, mostly thanks to her. She not only totally immerses children in the Italian language and culture, but provides exercises that benefit their health, minds and coordination as well.We never expected to find such a place that focused on the Italian language and culture in our area (especially for children our son’s age). We have not looked back since. He now attends a toddler class with other children his age. She has our utmost faith and confidence in taking care of our baby."
- Alexandra G., Cortland Manor
- Alexandra G., Cortland Manor
- Alexandra G., Cortland Manor
★★★★★
"Dear Carolina,
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to work with you this summer! It was a wonderful, eye opening experience that has certainly helped to affirm my desire to teach. Best of luck to you and your program in the future"