WTI Magazine #59    2015 May, 1
Author : Josephine Maietta      Translation by:

The Association of Italian American Educators (AIAE), was established in 1997 to promote the mission of enhancing the Italian American image and presence in education. Since 1999, AIAE has presented the Educator of the Year Awards to deserving Italian American educators, professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders in recognition of outstanding achievements in their chosen fields of endeavor, who serve as role models for our youth.

The roster of honorees is impressive. As AIAE first recipient of the Educator of the Year Award in1999, to an active board member in many capacities and now as president, I can attest that AIAE is a strong, solid and respected association and, with passion, believes in its mission.

Dear Friends and Colleagues, I wish to thank you for your support of the Programma Ponte Scholarship, now in its 19th year. It has touched the lives of over 200 meritorious Italian American college and university students with a unique academic summer study abroad experience in the Eternal City.

The program has attained national prominence in the United States, and is facilitated by on-going collaboration with the Federazione Nazionale dei Cavalieri del Lavoro, the Istituto per le Comunicazioni e l'Opinione Pubblica, (ISCOP) affiliated with the Pontifical University St. Thomas Aquinas, and our Direttore Scientifico, Prof. Luigi Troiani. Many alumni have pursued graduate studies; othershave launched successful careers. We are excited about the future networking possibilities of our Programma Ponte graduates in their bi-cultural ambassadorial roles. Special thanks also to Cav. Dr. Vito DeSimone for his many years of service as one of the founders and director of the program. Congratulations to the 2015 Director, Carmela Leonardi and to her committee for showing great leadership and dedication.

The AIAE also awards a Fellowship for Teachers of the Italian language, designed to support them in developing their language skills with the opportunity for a study abroad experience at a credited Italian university program. Several of our worthy colleagues have been the beneficiaries.

Since 2002, AIAE celebrates the Italian American Poets / La Piazza dei Poeti, created by Carolyn DeSimone, during the Annual Italian American Festival at Hofstra University. AIAE participates and is an active sponsor in the Italian American Experience Lecture Series, Hofstra University, created by Director Prof. Stanislao G.Pugliese (2005 AIAE Higher Education Awardee).

AIAE also sponsors the annual Breakfast, "Uniting a Community" with major organizations and the Lunch Networking Meeting with outstanding speakers and leaders in our community. AIAE has sponsored many major professional events and will continue to do so. AIAE is proud to collaborate with other organizations: AATI-LI,IASA,CSJ, IAWLI, CISB, Coccia Foundation, just to mention a few.

AIAE has been recognized by many prominent leaders and organizations. A recognition that is worth remembering is the "Silver Medal" received by our President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in 2002.

We are also honored and proud to be affiliated with Hofstra University and to call it our home with a beautiful office in the Academic Building. Hofstra is a prestigious university and AIAE is humbly proud to have the support of its President, Provost and Faculty.

On behalf of my colleagues in the Executive Board, Board of Directors and membership at large, I pledge to work together to make our professions that much stronger! An American poet said, "Each of us has some power. You can use the power in the service of what you say you believe. If you do not use your power, someone will use it for you, and in your name."

My dear Friends and Colleagues, let us decide and commit to use our power to maintain the positive image of Italian Americans by working together, to continue to invest in our students, their experience, to honor and recognize outstanding leaders and role models of our Italian American community and to continue to celebrate and maintain our rich Italian Heritage in the USA.