Flavio Bacci 

He is an experienced educator, trainer, and coach with a strong background in both formal education, the social-educational sector, and corporate training. After graduating in Physics and later earning a degree in Educational Sciences with honors, he taught Mathematics and Physics in Italian high schools for several years, combining academic rigor with a deep commitment to students’ personal development.

He also spent more than a decade working in social services, where he managed and supervised educational communities for children and adolescents, designed training programs for volunteers, and coordinated pedagogical projects aimed at child development and protection. Since 2013, he has collaborated with the Patrizio Paoletti Foundation on research and psycho-pedagogical training, as well as on European educational projects.

In parallel, Flavio has developed solid expertise as a corporate trainer, delivering programs on soft skills such as emotional intelligence, leadership, communication, and personal effectiveness to a wide range of organizations and professionals, including executives and CEOs.

This unique blend of teaching, pedagogical research, social work, and corporate training has given him a broad and versatile expertise in fostering learning, personal growth, and collaboration through innovative educational approaches.

Valerio Li Puma

Since 2018, Valerio Li Puma has managed and contributed to EU-funded projects (through ESI and programmes such as ENI CBC MED, INTERREG, SMP-COSME, Erasmus+, including Next Generation EU), as well as to nationally funded initiatives. His work focuses on project management, financial reporting, output development, communication, and project design. He has also served as a trainer in courses on EU project design, Project Management, and Soft Skills.

Holding a Master’s degree in Economics and Management and an Executive MBA, he has developed and consolidated expertise in General Management, Project Management, Innovation Management, Financial Reporting, EU Project Design, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Economics, International Cooperation, Social Inclusion, Mediterranean and Local Development.

His professional background is strongly oriented towards sustainable development, with a focus on: the green and digital transition (including AI systems application) of economic sectors across the Euro-Mediterranean area; innovation in the education and training system to address the evolving needs of the labour market; local development and interregional cooperation to foster innovative ecosystems; knowledge sharing and capacity building in key socio-economic sectors.

Today, he is responsible for European Projects at Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, where he has been collaborating since 2022. 

Ilaria Barborini

Ilaria enriched the journey of our Foundation – and of all those who were fortunate enough to know her – with colour, expertise, dedication, professionalism and many, many smiles. The joy she always brought to everything she did made everything feel light and easy to cope with. ‘Spirit’ is the project she left us with, but the truth is that what Ilaria has left to all of us is the greatness of what she managed to convey not only to those who met her in person, but also to those who have met her – and will continue to meet her – through the many teachers and educators who had the opportunity to take part in the projects she oversaw with such love and dedication.

Renata Berrino

My name is Renata and I live in Piedmont. I am now happily retired, but I was a happy teacher for 42 years. I began my career as a nursery school teacher and for nearly 20 years I worked with very young children, trying out various activities – including English – but above all having great fun with them. Later, I moved on to primary school, and there too I continued to seek out new and enjoyable ways for both myself and my pupils to learn and teach. English has always been my core passion, so I focused on this language to help children learn other subjects and areas of the curriculum, using the CLIL methodology and storytelling as tools to open up new horizons and opportunities for understanding the wonderful world around us. For me, learning is a fantastic adventure that never ends; teaching is simply the other side of the coin. The passion you put into it is what makes the journey unique.

Teresa Signorile

Wendy Hart

Wendy Hart is an English teacher at Assisi International School, where she has been teaching in the Nursery and Primary Schools since 2017. She undertook her studies in the United States, Chile and Mexico; in 1991, she attended a course in Italy on Montessori differentiated teaching for the 3–6 age group. Having always been passionate about teaching and the world of early childhood, she integrates a strong interest in art, creativity and methodologies capable of actively engaging children into her educational practice. During the 2024–2025 school year, she took part in the ‘Spirit in Primary School’ project, experimenting with pupils on the activities proposed on the themes of technology, soft skills and traditional games. The experience yielded excellent results, both in terms of the children’s participation and motivation, and with regard to the educational outcomes achieved.

Eleonora Morganti

Elena Pujia

Elena Pujia is a lead class teacher at the Primary School of Assisi International School, where she has been working since 2010 and where she had previously gained experience in the Nursery School. In the same year, she obtained a diploma from the Montessori Differentiated Teaching Course at the Opera Nazionale Montessori in Rome. In her educational work, she pays particular attention to beauty, creativity and the care taken in shaping learning experiences – values she shares on a daily basis with both pupils and colleagues. During the 2024–2025 school year, she took part in the Spirit Project, contributing to the trialling of initiatives aimed at Primary School pupils. The activities focused on technology, soft skills and the rediscovery of traditional games have provided her with concrete opportunities to observe, engage and guide the children through experiences capable of combining learning, social interaction and creativity, with very positive results.

Augusta Tabusso

Palma Distaso

I am a psychologist, counsellor and special needs teacher in primary schools, with over twenty years’ experience in the fields of social inclusion, personal care and training. My career combines classroom work — focusing on inclusive teaching and strategies for listening and education — with professional training in the educational, healthcare and third sector fields. In primary schools, as a support teacher, I deal on a daily basis with inclusive teaching and with guiding educational processes so that every child can realise their potential. In secondary schools, my work extends to older pupils and future professionals in the field of care techniques and socio-cultural activities, as well as delivering courses for teachers and educators. My experience in the healthcare and clinical sectors is channelled through my teaching at the School of Counselling and Training and through training programmes for hospital staff. In the third sector and voluntary sector, I collaborate with Volunteer Service Centres (CSV) by offering training and counselling programmes for third-sector workers. I oversee specific training for volunteers in the Universal Civil Service scheme. I have been volunteering since 1998 to the present day with the Vincentian Volunteer Association – Special Service for Minors. Here, I provide support to young people at risk of social deviance, run experiential workshops, provide counselling and facilitate self-help groups, as well as overseeing the overall coordination of projects. Finally, since 2014, I have served as the liaison officer for the Court of Foggia at the GVV Trinitapoli: I monitor the work placements of individuals enrolled in the Community Service Programme (LPU) and coordinate reintegration and rehabilitation projects for adults and young people subject to probation orders (MAP). My aim, in every area in which I work, is to build bridges: between the law and humanity, between hardship and strength, between the individual and the community.

Serena Gregorini

With over twenty years’ experience in education, I have taught at all levels of schooling: pre-school, primary and secondary. Alongside this, I work at university as a tutor on the Primary Education programme and as a trainer in teaching workshops, supporting trainee teachers in lesson planning and pedagogical reflection. Over the years, I have taken part in various national and European projects focused on development and research in the field of education, contributing to methodological innovation and the dissemination of innovative and inclusive practices. My work is based on an open, collaborative educational vision geared towards professional development, with a constant commitment to promoting quality, research and continuing professional development.