Italian-born Marta Castella recently signed on as Italian programs outreach director at Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi in Chicago, a job she describes as “equal parts cultural bridge and growth architect.” Founded in 2016, Scuola Fermi is the only full-time Italian immersion school in the Chicago area, offering bilingual education from preschool through K-1.

The school integrates the best elements of both Italian and American education, giving students a rigorous, inquiry-based and multilingual learning experience, Castella explains. “Our innovative Dual Track System allows us to seamlessly integrate students from English-monolingual environments alongside native Italian speakers, ensuring that all children progress confidently in both languages while learning together.”