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Teacher of the Year Award Presented at NIAF Annual Convention Weekend in Nation’s Capital

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org


TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED AT NIAF ANNUAL CONVENTION WEEKEND IN NATION’S CAPITAL
**New York Educator Rossana Caringi to Receive Award**

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 8, 2009) Rossana Caringi, a teacher of Italian language at Westlake High School in Thornwood, N.Y. and a resident of Mamaroneck, N.Y., is the recipient of the seventh annual National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Teacher of the Year Award. Caringi will be recognized at NIAF’s 34th Anniversary Awards Convention Weekend, held October 23-24 at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C.

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Rossana Caringi

The NIAF Teacher of the Year Award honors an educator at the elementary or secondary level who has shown dedication to teaching Italian and demonstrates an ability to inspire a love of this topic in students of any background.

“Mrs. Caringi gives students a chance to challenge themselves in Italian through innovative assignments. She loves to give back in any way she can and does so through mentoring,” said Frank Viteritti, Westlake High School principal.

Caringi will receive a continuing education stipend for the study of a specialized course designed for foreign teachers of the Italian language, “Corso di aggiornamento per insegnanti di italiano a stranieri” (Refresher Course for Teachers of Italian Abroad) from NIAF in partnership with the University for Foreigners Perugia.

With more than 30 years of experience in foreign language education, Caringi has taught Italian at Westlake High School for the past four years. She teaches all levels of Italian and is the academic advisor to four co-curricular activities that include the Italian Honor Society, the Italian Club, the Contact America Club and the AFS (American Field Service) Club.

During NIAF’s convention weekend, the Foundation will host Piazza d’Italia, a two-day exhibition of Italy’s Best, and a Celebrity Auction and Luncheon. Also part of the convention is a screening of the documentary “Pane Amaro: The Italian American Journey from Despised Immigrants to Honored Citizens” by a NIAF grant recipients and a seminar focusing on the culture of food and wine.

For more information about NIAF’s Italian Language and Culture Teacher of the Year Program, visit www.niaf.org/programs/teacheroftheyear/index.asp

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org