Clark ALJ Teacher Alessandra Savarese Wins Italian Teaching Award

According to Clark Public Schools' announcement.

A high school Italian teacher in Clark has earned a national honor for the way she teaches.

Alessandra Savarese, who teaches Italian at Arthur L. Johnson (ALJ) High School in Clark, was selected as this year's recipient of the Coccia-Inserra Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Teaching of Italian (K-12).

Andrea Baldi, a Professor of Italian at Rutgers University, chaired the selection panel and introduced Savarese when she received the award.

The award is open to K-12 educators of Italian across the country. It is presented each year at the Teaching Italian Symposium-Workshop, held on the campus of Montclair State University.

In his introduction, Baldi said her record of professional achievements was quite impressive. He also praised her engaging classroom practice and her teaching philosophy, which challenges and dispels stereotypes about Italian and Italian American culture.

In her acceptance speech, Savarese shared her love for Italy and its culture. She told the audience she hopes to build that same appreciation in her students.

The announcement does not say when the award was presented, how long Savarese has taught at ALJ, or who sponsors the award. It also does not list a district or school contact.

Her award plaque carries a line that matches the goal she described: "Un buon insegnante può cambiare il mondo. A good teacher can change the world."

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Source: Clark Public Schools

Photo: Jan van der Wolf / Pexels