Marist World Language teacher, Ms. Alessia Zulato, brings an abundance of international wisdom to the classroom after having lived in Italy for her entire childhood.
While Zulato is a teacher now, she did not always plan to become one.
“I wanted to find a job that allowed me to travel,” said Zulato. “I dreamed of becoming a flight attendant which obviously didn’t work out.”
It was not until Zulato attended a study abroad program in France that she realized she wanted to pursue a career in teaching. She went on to study in Rennes, France where she earned her masters degree in education. She graduated in June of 2009.
A year later, Zulato moved to Chicago in April of 2010 to start a new chapter of her life. She began working at Marist High School in 2017.
“While things got difficult, I had to remember that it was too late to turn back,” said Zulato. “I usually don’t give up.”
Zulato’s outgoing personality, paired with her intense determination to succeed, has helped her thrive in America despite the challenges that come with moving to a different country.
When she first arrived in the United States, Zulalto was far from fluent in English despite having studied it for much of her life. Through perseverance and practice, she has become more than proficient.
Zulato frequently enjoys talking to and meeting new people. Her husband, Marist social studies teacher Mr. Daniel Brant, admires this about her.
“She has the ability to talk to people from all walks of life and is the most authentic person I know,” said Brant.
When she is not teaching, Zulato enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and their two daughters, Eleonora and Elisa. She also loves cooking, especially Italian dishes, as it connects her to her home country.
“She is the best Italian chef in the Chicagoland area,” said Brant.
Zulato is also a true polyglot. She has mastered four languages: Italian, French, English, and German. Learning new things, including languages, is one of her passions.
Besides her native language of Italian, Zulato says that her favorite language to speak is French.
“I especially enjoy reading books in French,” said Zulato. “My favorite genre to read is historical novels.”
After living in America for a little over fifteen years now, Zulato has held tightly to her Italian roots. Whether it is in the classroom sharing stories with her students or at home teaching her daughters how to speak Italian, Zulato makes sure to keep her culture alive.
Her daughters speak Italian, French, and English, just like their parents.
“I am making them very Italian,” said Zulato.
Her journey from living in a small town in Italy to becoming a teacher in America is proof of her resilient, outgoing, and kind character.
