Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
A native of Italy, Italian language teacher Cristina Tinnirello believes in providing students with a full immersion experience in the Italian language and culture, with the ultimate goal of helping them become better global citizens.
Having learned five languages throughout her education, she understands the challenges and rewards of language learning, which inspires her to help others on their journey, she says.
Tinnirello teaches Italian to students in kindergarten through 8th grade at Union Ridge School District 86 in Harwood Heights, just outside of Chicago, where she’s been since 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as a 5th grade homeroom teacher when the Italian program was temporarily put on hold.
Tinnirello was born in Biella, in Italy’s Piedmont region, and spoke the local dialect with her grandparents before learning proper Italian in school.
She studied accounting, but her true passion was learning foreign languages, which she pursued in college.
She has a bachelor’s degree in translation and interpretation with a focus on English and German, and a master’s degree in didactics for teaching Italian as a second/foreign language from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan.
Tinnirello says she decided to become a teacher when she realized that she most enjoyed helping others learn Italian.
“I used to volunteer at my church, assisting a group of women who had recently immigrated and needed support learning Italian,” she recalls. “I also discovered a passion for teaching while tutoring students in language studies. “
Tinnirello first came to the United States in 2011 as a teacher-student from Cattolica University and worked at the Summer Camp at Casa Italia in Stone Park, in suburban Chicago. She also taught Saturday classes and organized group lessons with Italingua Chicago Inc.
After teaching Italian at Elgin Community College, she obtained a K-12 teaching license from the University of West Florida. In 2023, she completed a master’s degree in education from Waldorf University in Iowa.
Her approach to teaching is rooted in creating a positive, inclusive and engaging learning environment where all students feel valued and supported. She also strives to connect with students by learning about their interests, backgrounds and goals.
“I build relationships based on trust and respect. I believe that when students feel seen and heard, they are more motivated to learn.”
Academically, Tinnirello believes in setting high expectations and uses a variety of teaching strategies — visuals, interactive activities, real-world applications and differentiated instruction — to meet diverse learning styles and needs.
She collaborates with the educational office of the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago to bring cultural and educational experiences to the school, including author visits, immersive storytelling performances and cooking classes with Italian chefs.
She also likes to organize field trips to places like Eataly Chicago and Casa Italia, where students can engage directly with local Italian American institutions and businesses.
As a result, Union Ridge’s 8th grade students are well-prepared to enter Italian 2 as freshmen at Ridgewood High School, she says. “This creates a smooth transition and sets them up for continued success in language learning at the high school level,” she says.
Recently, Union Ridge entered a three-year collaboration with Istituto Alessandro Manzoni in Legnano, Italy, that has students participate in virtual exchange, practicing their Italian and sharing cultural traditions with their peers.
“I’m excited to continue strengthening our international connections,” she says. “We hope this collaboration will eventually lead to an in-person student exchange, offering a deeper, more meaningful cultural and language immersion experience.”
The best part of being a teacher is witnessing her student’s academic and personal growth, she says.
“There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing that moment when a student grasps a new concept, overcomes a challenge, or discovers a passion they didn’t know they had,” she says. “Knowing that I play a role in helping them build confidence, develop new skills and see the world from a broader perspective is what keeps me inspired every day.”
Among the challenges of her job are meeting the diverse needs of all students and navigating her responsibilities beyond the classroom, such as communicating with families and staying up to date with best practices.
“That said, these challenges are also what push me to grow and improve. They remind me to stay reflective, creative, and patient. The rewards of seeing students succeed and knowing I’ve made a positive impact far outweigh the difficulties.”
Tinnirello is actively involved with Com.It.Es Chicago (The Committee for Italians Living Abroad), an elected organization that represents the Italian community in the Midwest and works closely with the Consulate General of Italy.
She is passionate about travel, especially exploring different cultures and connecting with local communities. She also enjoys cooking and photography, and stays active through hiking, biking and yoga.
