Chiara comes to the Youth Center North America (YCNA) with decades of experience working with young people, previously as an English high school teacher, a language specialist and a youth ministry leader. She collaborates with the international center of the Focolare Movement for programs for young adults and has recently joined the editorial staff of its magazine, Living City. Her hobbies include reading, walking along the beach, spending quality time with friends and family.
Education/Certification:
California Teaching credential with CLAD certificate, Crosscultural Language and Academic Development – California State University at Dominguez Hills
M.A., English – State University of New York at New Paltz
B.A., Political Science – State University of New York at New Paltz, cum laude
Certificate of completion, Theology and Social Studies – Instituto Mystici Corporis, Florence, Italy
Employment:
- Living City Magazine – Hyde Park, New York
Assistant managing editor, 2018- current
- Accademia Britannica – Perugia, Italy
The Language Center – Florence, Italy
English as a second language teacher, 2013-2018
- Centro Gen – Grottaferrata, Italy
Youth program consultant, translator, 2009-2012
- St. Mary’s Academy – Los Angeles, California
Del Mar High School – San Jose, California
Bishop Conaty Loretto High School – Los Angeles, California
English language and literature teacher, 1997-2009
Qualifications:
- Taught English and English as a Second Language, Sacred Scriptures, Christian lifestyles, Social Justice
- Moderated activities of Teens4Unity, the International Club, Service Club, Campus Ministry
- Organized Focolare youth participation in World Youth Days in Denver, Toronto and Rome
- Coordinated youth work teams for Genfest 2012 in Budapest with 12,000 youth participants
- Represented Focolare young adult ministers in National Dialogue conferences of the USCCB
- Certified VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children” youth minister
- Promoted community service projects in Southern California and Houston, Texas
- Spearheaded innovative language learner program that earned Del Mar High School recognition as California Distinguished School