About us
Hi, I'm Jenna!
What began as a lifelong love of language found new purpose through motherhood.
Growing up in a close Italian-American family, I experienced how language and culture have a beautiful way of bringing people together. Some of my favorite memories are spending summers in Sicily with my relatives, where everyday moments showed me that language is so much more than words. It's connection, belonging, and discovering the world through a different lens.
Like many Italian-American families, our heritage language gradually faded over time as our foundation was built in the United States. Reconnecting with Italian became more than learning a language—it became a way of honoring my family's story, celebrating my roots, and carrying forward something that was nearly lost.
That passion became my career. I earned my master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with a minor in Italian, taught Italian language and culture for Orange County Public Schools, and had the opportunity to study and teach English in Italy. Throughout my career in education, I've remained passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence.
Then I became a mom, and that passion found an even deeper purpose.
Watching my own children grow has reminded me just how naturally young children embrace language. I was 13 years old when I first began learning Italian, and I wanted my children to have the opportunity to grow into our heritage language during these formative early years. Language learning has taken me on adventures I never imagined and opened doors to lifelong friendships and meaningful experiences. My hope is that it gives them the same gift—a deeper sense of belonging, meaningful connections, and the confidence to explore the world with an open heart.
The name Truvari, from the Sicilian dialect, means "to find." For me, it represents discovering language, culture, connection, and a lifelong love of learning.
At Truvari Tots, every class is thoughtfully designed around play, music, movement, stories, art, sensory exploration, and meaningful connection. Italian is woven naturally into each experience, allowing children to discover a new language with confidence and ease. Whether your family has Italian roots or is simply beginning a language-learning journey, everyone is welcome.
My hope is that every child leaves not only with a few new Italian words, but with a sense that the world is a little bigger, a little more beautiful, and full of wonderful things waiting to be discovered.
Benvenuti a Truvari Tots. I can't wait to welcome your family into ours.
