ABOUT SIEF
OUR STORY
Founded in 2016, Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi International School was created by a small group of Italian professional women, who wanted to combine the excellence of the Italian school model with the best of the American scholastic experience to serve the growing international community.
We INSPIRE our students to explore both their creativity and curiosity, challenging them to become independent thinkers.
We DEVELOP a Reggio Emilia inspired education that is based on a core of fundamental values and principles.
We CREATE a learning environment that assists in developing critical thinking skills.
We SUPPORT a bilingual, full-immersion education program in which Italian is the primary language, setting a foundation for understanding and navigating many cultures.
We BUILD a robust curriculum suite through academic competencies as well as self-identity, development of social skills, and social emotional learning.
OUR MISSION
At Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi (SIEF) International School, our outstanding, inquiry-based Reggio Emilia inspired approach combines immersion in the Italian language and culture with a robust academic and social curriculum that is attentive to the learning needs of children.
SIEF provides a unique educational experience that prepares children for success in a global, multicultural world.
As the first Italian American International school in the greater Chicago area, SIEF opened its early childhood education program with full day preschool in September of 2016. In 2018, SIEF initiated its first kindergarten class. Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi continues to expand, working toward the goal of PreK3 through 8th grade. SIEF currently offers PreK3 through 1st grade, and has quintupled in size since opening.
SIEF offers multiple community enrichment classes in Italian language, culture, and Reggio-based play for infants through 8 years of age. LEARN MORE
Documentation and study regarding homes, 2023
A profound respect for the rights of children is at the heart of our pedagogy, and you will find love, care, and community at SIEF.
SIEF fondatrici, c. 2016 (left to right): Caterina Muti, Anna Maria Fantuzzi, Chiara Underwood, Laura Granara, Antonella Gelosia, Elena Conta
SIEF founders had vision, passion, and dedication to realize Chicago’s first Italian International School.
FACULTY + STAFF
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Amy Ewaldt, MAT
School Director
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Molly Adamski
Financial Manager
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Megan Rensing
Operations Manager & Curiosity Lab Leader
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Chiara Calci
Atelierista
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Giulia Picariello Signori
Kindergarten - 1st Grade Teacher, Classe Montagna
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Roberta Garufi
PreK4-5 Teacher, Classe Finestre
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Natalja Aicardi
Teaching Artist, Classe Finestre
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Daila Deligios
PreK3-4 Teacher, Classe Bosco
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Loredana Damiani
PreK3-4 Teacher, Classe Bosco
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Elena Bruno
School Chef
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Lea Patti Krystof
Curiosity Lab Leader & Substitute Teacher
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Tommaso Moretti
Artist-in-Residence, Music + Gordon Method
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Angela Gloninger
SIEF Summer Camp Coordinator
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Anna Maria Fantuzzi
Board Chair, Co-Founder, Curriculum Coordinator
Lucia Dettori
Past Board Chair
Gian Mario Besana
Vice Chair
Gennie Medici
Treasurer
Elena Conta
Co-Founder and Secretary
Laura Granara
Co-Founder and Trustee
Caterina Muti Soldi
Co-Founder and Trustee
Bonnie Wishne
Trustee
Ettore Soldi
Trustee
Saverio Suraci
Trustee
Liz Jaci
Trustee
CAREERS AT SIEF
Are you a native Italian speaker?
Are you an educator of young children, ages 3 and up, who is passionate about Reggio Emilia teaching and learning?
Are you an Italian Speech Language Pathologist?
If you are looking for a career with SIEF or to inquire for more information about our current openings, please contact us below. “Tutto con gioia!”