Founder CyberItalian Inc., Author, Consultant, Educator
Ms. Garau likes to define herself a 'Renaissance woman', as she is an eclectic person, very concerned about the development of the potential and talent that each human being has.
Her interests range from languages and communication to art, Oriental disciplines, zen meditation, history, philosophy and more.
She holds a diploma in Visual Design, a diploma in Art Direction, a diploma in Shiatsu and an academic degree (Laurea) in Foreign Languages and Literature with specialization in the teaching of the Italian language.
She is the author of the book Your Renaissance, a fascinating journey into the lives of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, other great Renaissance artists, and into our own life.
She has been working in the field of education since 1991.
During her university years and study of Foreign Languages and Literature she realized that 'knowing a subject very well' is not enough to teach it. Therefore she also studied, practiced and researched in the field of human development in order to give a true meaning to the word "educare" (to educate, to teach; from the Latin "ex-ducere", to bring out). The best educational experience is the one that allows each student to express (bring out) the best of him/herself.
Through the years, she diversified her work into three main areas: teaching, authoring and consulting.
Teaching
- Italian Language Teacher, Head Teacher - CyberItalian
- Director and Head Teacher - Italian Language Program UNSRC Circolo Culturale Italiano, United Nations, New York
- Adjunct faculty - Italian Language Department New School University for Social Research, New York
- Lecturer (offline and online - some of the seminars/webinars conducted are: "The Italian Language Online", "The Role of Italian Language and Culture in Present Society", "How to Use Art in the Italian Classroom") - AATI American Association of Teachers of Italian - New York Chapter, and NYCAFLT/UFT New York City Association of Foreign Language Teachers/ United Federation of Teachers
Authoring
- Designer and content developer of CyberItalian's language courses
- Author of several art-books featured in group exhibitions in New York and Milan
- Author of the book Your Renaissance
- Author of the Space of a Dream WellnessDayByDay project
- Author of the @maura_imagesandwords project
Consulting
- "Italintranet Donna" - IACE (Italian-American Committee on Education), New York
- "Curriculum Guide K-12" - Education Office of the Italian Consulate in New York
- "Italy-USA cross-cultural, business issues" - Windham International USA, and Prudential Intercultural USA
Ms. Garau strongly believes that education is the future of humanity and that a language course should be amusing, conceptually strong, and well designed. She likes to promote these ideas through CyberItalian.
Founder and President CyberItalian Inc., Technical Director
Mr. Vacchina is an electronic engineer and computer scientist since 1985.
He was an information technology consultant for the United Nations.
He developed his experience through several projects managed in different countries all over the world.
He designed the interface and the CGI programs behind CyberItalian, and worked on the overall concept and design of the site. With a strong passion for technology, photography, traveling, and sailing, he strongly believes that the Internet has opened a new way in the search for enlightenment. He likes to promote this idea through CyberItalian.
CyberItalian Inc. Board Member
Mr. Minke enjoyed elementary and high school education in the Netherlands, Belgium and Indonesia, and later studied law in the Netherlands and in the USA. Initially in New York and now in California, he assists European businesses in conducting business in the USA.
Trained as a lawyer, he provides a very structured approach to business and organization. He has assisted Cyberitalian with various matters and has seen the company and the language platform develop almost from the onset. Mr. Minke also operates a legal and financial niche translation agency and is the author of several books on working and living abroad.
From an education point of view, as an expat child in pre-internet days, he grew up with remote learning (at the time known as "correspondence classes" -- by snail mail) supplementing the international school's curriculum. More recently, he served as Chairman of the Dutch School of Southern California, which he expanded into online and hybrid learning during the pandemic.
He is excited to help bring fun and solid language and culture training to a worldwide audience. Learning languages boosts knowledge and brings understanding of and respect for other cultures.
We would like to thank the following friends, professionals or organizations which contributed to CyberItalian success:
- United Nations
Staff Recreation Council,
Il Circolo Culturale Italiano, New York
- Teresa Barbieri, consultant
- Alberto Baudo, journalist
- Barbara Cicalini, copywriter
- Massimo Guadalupi, copywriter
- Italian Wine and Food Institute New York
- Stefano Lami, scientist
- Linda Ann Loschiavo, editor
- Marina Malvezzi, editor and chef
- Micaela Martegani Luini, art critic
- Antonio Monda, film director
- John Rizzo, journalist
- Alberto Ruju, biologist
- Gaither Stewart, foreign correspondent
- Martin Stiglio, director Italian Cultural Institute
- Angela Vistarchi, professor
- Kathrine Simon, fashion designer
- Raffaella Acampora
- Clelia Cavallaro, composer and vocalist
- Laura Caparrotti, Kairos Italy Theatre director
- Alessandro Fabrizi, actor
- Giovanni Micoli, actor
- Marco Perduca
- Vincenzo Pugliese, actor
- Edoardo Bellando
- Andrew Cangelose
- Carolina Cobelli
- Madeline Escobar
- Erika Hauschildt
- Tamara Lee
- Jennifer Prado
- Maria Rea
- Paolina Weber
- Umberto d'Arista, teacher of Italian
- Giuseppe Barni, teacher of Italian
- Rossana Chille, teacher of Italian
- Rossella Livraga, consultant
- Gianni Lopez, photographer
- Paola Ruju, language teacher
- Paolo Tartanella, journalist
- Stefano Vaccara, political editor and columnist
- Renato Zacchia, photographer
- Chiara Carfì, marketing and PR consultant
- United Nations Staff Recreation Council, Il Circolo Culturale Italiano, New York