Joanna is an English, dance, and drama teacher and holds an International Montessori Diploma for teaching children aged 2 – 6 years. She is bilingual English/Italian, having lived many years in Italy. 

Born in London, Joanna trained as a dancer at The London School of Contemporary Dance before moving to Sicily where she directed, taught, and choreographed for the dance company, Arte Danza and performed throughout Italy.

Joanna’s passion for teaching children started when her daughter was born and she taught dance classes for children in Rome, Teatro Talia. She went on to study for the Montessori International Teaching Diploma and taught in various English and bilingual schools in Rome, Kendale, Mary Mount, Villa Flaminia. Joanna moved to the UK in 2008 where she taught dance and drama to children for whom English is their second language. 

Joanna teaches English to children using role play, singing and movement/dance and follows the Montessori method, “Follow the Child”. She believes in the child’s inquiring mind, what Maria Montessori called the Absorbent Mind, when the child is like a sponge, ready to absorb information. Joanna seeks to allow children to discover for themselves to become independent thinkers and doers.

Joanna has recently moved back to Catania where she is happy to join Betzy’s School’s team on the journey of the Tri Lingual International Kindergarten.