FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(Washington, DC – September 12, 2003) Josephine Maietta of West Hempstead, NY, teacher of world language in Italian at the Alice P. Willits Elementary School in Syosset, NY, is the recipient of the first annual National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Teacher of the Year Award. Maietta will be recognized at the NIAF’s 28th Anniversary Awards convention weekend, on October 24-25 at the Hilton Washington & Towers, Washington, DC.

The NIAF Teacher of the Year Award honors an educator at the elementary or secondary level who has shown dedication to the teaching of Italian and demonstrates an ability to inspire a love of learning the Italian language and culture in students of any background.

“The passion, love and knowledge of the Italian language is the source for the unbounded and creative inspiration I bring to teaching,” Maietta said.

Maietta will receive a continuing education stipend for study in Italy in a specialized course designed for teachers of the Italian language for foreigners, “Corso di Aggiornamento per Insegnanti All’Estero” (Refresher Course for Foreign Teachers) during the summer of 2004. She will also have the opportunity to present a paper or serve on a panel during the annual meeting of the American Association of Teachers of Italian in Philadelphia, November 21& 22, 2003.

During the gala awards convention weekend, NIAF will also feature conferences, exhibits, the traditional celebrity luncheon and auction, and a seminar on tourism. Visit www.niaf.org for updates during gala weekend.