All our teachers are native speakers and qualified to teach their specialist areas.
The Headmistress of the Elizabeth English Academy
DR. Belinda Elizabeth Serra was born in London, where she grew up. After obtaining her A-levels from Mander Portman Woodward tutorial college, she enrolled at Pisa University to follow an MA Degree course in modern languages and literature. She received a second MA from Jean Paul II in Lyon and went on to study and research her PHD in postcolonial literature at Pisa University.
In the working world she began teaching in various Italian state schools in the province of Pisa, and held the position of English teacher at Worldtalk language school for a decade. She worked as English language assistant at the Economics faculty in Pisa before moving to the language faculty to become a researcher in literature.
She has extensive experience working in International Schools including Westminster International, Pisa.
She opened The Elizabeth English Academy in 2013. The first bi-lingual academy in the province of Pisa and holds the position as Director of Studies.
Prof. Emiliano
Emiliano Lazzeri, graduated with honors in Contemporary History from the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy of the University of Pisa. He has gained many years of teaching experience in teaching the Italian language and mathematical and physical sciences. He collaborated with the Interdepartmental Center for Peace Sciences (CISP) of the University of Pisa. He is the author of various historical-scientific publications.
Miss Karen
Miss Karen gained her B.A (Hons) Fine Art degree from Middlesex University and went on to do her P.G.C.E in art education at the University of London 2002.
Karen previously taught in the U.K for 19 years, with experience of teaching across different age ranges and has supported teachers in their training and professional development.
In the U.K, Karen held the position of Specialist Leader in Education (art) and was nominated for the 2021 Teaching Awards in Essex (U.K)
Since living in Italy, Karen has more recently completed the C.E.L.T.A in teaching E.F.L and is delighted to be teaching at the Academy; inspiring, developing and nurturing the love
and knowledge of art, design and creativity within young learners.
Mr. Joaquin
Mr. Joaquin was born in Caracas, Venezuela where he gained his double degree in Production Engineering and System Engineering. Living in the United States of America, Mr. Joaquin specialized in studying English and gained experience in teaching different languages.
He moved to Italy in 2021, where he worked at the International Office of the University Of Pisa. Currently, he is working on obtaining his Maters Degree in Business and Economics.
Mr. Joaquin has worked in the Academy since 2021, teaching ICT, Spanish and technical subjects. He characterizes himself by his fun learning methods making this a work he certainly enjoys.
Miss Katherine
Miss Katherine was born and brought up in Dorset, UK. She studied at the University of Wales where she was awarded a BSc Econ (Hons) in European Studies. After graduating, she taught for two years in Geneva and Turin and then spent a year travelling in Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Australia and New Zealand.
On returning to the UK, she completed a post graduate teaching qualification (DELTA) and then taught in Milan and at the British Council in Bologna until 1996when she moved back to the UK to start a family. While there, she taught in Norwich and in Oxford, where she was coordinator of the EAL Department at a well-known independent school.
In 2018, she moved with her family to Lucca and has been teaching at The Elizabeth English Academy in Pisa since 2019. She loves being a part of the academic and personal development of the children in her charge.
Miss Charlotte
Miss Charlotte was born in Pisa and is bilingual in English and Italian.
She graduated from the Scuola Superiore di Mediazione Linguistica di Pisa in 2014 specialising in English and Spanish. After experiences teaching English in play groups and summer camps, she discovered her passion for teaching young children.
Since 2015 she has been part of the Elizabeth English Academy. Miss Charlotte is a dedicated teacher who loves her job and loves the children entrusted to her care.
Miss Valeria
Miss Valeria was born and educated in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2016, she gained her Master of Education’s degree from the Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2017, she gained the International Baccalaureate Certification.
Miss Valeria has worked in the international school Academia Washington in Caracas, Venezuela for five years and then moved to Pisa, Italy where she worked for two years at Westminster International School.
Miss Valeria has been part of The Elizabeth English Academy since 2020 as a Reception teacher.
Miss Valeria enjoys enriching the life of the little ones with stories, songs, games and different activities which help them grow safe and awesome!
Miss Kate
"Many years have passed since I first left the UK and went to France where I withheld a career in fashion,teaching,interpreting and translation .
Following that I arrived in Italy and continued to teach English as a second language in the North of Italy and eventually arrived here in Tuscany where I found love and family and settled. Here I've continued for over 20 years to work as an ESL teacher in state and private schools
I've been dedicated to sharing my love of the English language to children and adults for many years and will continue to do so for many years to come."
"A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart."
Miss Parastou
Miss Parastou was brought up in Tehran, Iran. She started teaching English during her undergraduate studies in Iran. Obtaining her bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences from The Azad University of Tehran in 2019, she started working at Hajar hospital for a year.
In 2020, she moved to Italy, where she currently pursues a masters degree in Neuroscience at the University of Pisa. There, she started as a biology tutor and later joined the international office of the university.
Since 2022, she has been a science teacher at the Elizabeth English Academy. Miss Parastou enjoys teaching kids and is delighted to share her passion for science with the young minds at the academy.
