Meet Our Team
Alessandra Scimone
Founder, ESL Teacher and Managing Director
What do I love more than teaching? The chance of touching my students’ hearts and minds, to encourage them to believe that nothing is impossible especially if you speak English. I'm a strong believer that by knowing English their dreams can come true.
Other than teaching, I like to spend time with my big family as I’m a mother of 5. I also love cooking, going to the movies, listening to music and traveling.
My passions and interests are a big source of inspiration for the classes I create. I consider myself to be very lucky because not only do I love my job, but each student makes me a better teacher and person.
Emily Mills Woodruff
Teacher
My name is Emily and I teach English, both online classes and summer camps, with Little America. Although I’m American, I speak Italian and have traveled to Italy many times. In addition to teaching, I’m also a professional opera singer and I teach private music lessons. In my free time I enjoy running, yoga, cooking, reading, and renovating a house with my husband.
Abigail Wood
Day Care Assistant
My name is Abigail and I am a Daycare Assistant. I have been working in childcare for five years. Previously I've worked as an after school caregiver, a program director, and an outdoor program facilitator. I love working with youth of all ages, but I especially enjoy working with preschool aged children.
Katie Bastianelli
Assistant Business Development Manager
Business English and English for Traveling Teacher
TOEFL Class Teacher
My name is Katie and I have always had a fascination for foreign languages and cultures. I majored in French in college and had the opportunity to study abroad on several occasions. After college, I moved to Rome, Italy on a whim and ended up staying there for six years. I completed my Master’s Degree while in Italy in International Relations and worked for the United Nations and other nonprofit organizations. I also received my TEFL certificate while in Rome.
After moving back to the US, I continued to work from home in various capacities and joined Little America llc in March 2020. Working with them has been a wonderful way to continue maintaining my connection to Italy!
Volunteers/Helpers
Vanessa Raffaele
Website and Marketing Designer
My name is Vanessa and I'm currently in charge of the website upkeep as well as marketing/ad designs. I graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a BFA in Dance and a BS in Video Production in 2019. After spending some time in NYC, home due to Covid and traveling, I have settled for the time being in Fuerteventura (Spain) where I'm currently working in a resort as a dancer and fitness instructor. In my free time I love listening to music, reading and watching tv/movies.
Virginia Raffaele
Teacher
My name is Virginia and I teach a couple of online classes as well as assist my mom with the summer camp in the US. I am a current SUNY Fredonia graduate with a BFA Dance and BA Theater Arts. At the moment, I’m based in the Cleveland, OH area, working in Theatre. In my free time I like cooking, watching tv and reading.