Instructors

Elizabeth Fernandes Oriani 

Educational Programming Coordinator & Portuguese Instructor 

Email: ElizabethBittencurt@VivaBrasilSTL.org 

Beth is native from São Paulo, Brazil.  She started her professional in technology carrier in São Paulo, and continued it in Portugal (1998 – 2006).  In 2006 she moved to St Louis. Beth has been an active and passionate participant of Viva Brasil association since its inception.    She is also a Portuguese instructor at the Viva Português program. 

Eliane de Grossi de Souza 

Portuguese Kid's Instructor 

Eliane Grossi, Brazilian, born in Jundiaí - São Paulo State. Married with one child. She has an Associate degree in Mathematics & Law and a Master Degree in Labor Law, she is also a Certified Accounting Technician. Eliane taught Math in Public School in Brazil, worked in financial industry, and was owner-partner in her Accounting Office for 8 years. The following 10 years, Eliane practiced Law. Since 2013 Eliane transitioned to staying home, following the family’s relocation to St. Louis/USA. Eliane realized that she was removed from her culture, language, family and friends. Overcoming her obstacles, step by step, with volunteer work and her connection to the Brazilian community only added to her life experiences. And how beneficial it has been! Now she believes it is time to give back and help the Brazilian community.

Leticia Sophia Pesce

Portuguese Adult Instructor 

Email:

Sophia is a native Portuguese speaker from São Paulo, Brazil. She graduated with Bachelor in Marketing and Communication, took two years of Fine Arts College and has experience in Graphic Designer. Sophia also owned and operated an Italian restaurant with her husband Marcello. Sophia, Marcello and her daughter Maria moved to St. Louis in 2016. She now wants to dedicate more time to arts and culture, and she thinks spreading her mother language is a wonderful way to do it.

Marcello Pesce 

Portuguese Adult Instructor 

Email:

Marcello is a native Portuguese speaker from São Paulo, Brazil. Besides Portuguese, Marcello is fluent in Spanish, Italian, English and French. He has a background in sales and marketing and has worked for companies such as Danone, Mattel, Bunge and Rubbermaid. After working in sales and marketing, Marcello started his own Italian restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil. He has a Bachelor in Business Administration and an MBA in Retail Management. Marcello arrived in St. Louis a in 2016 with his wife Sophia and daughter Maria. Marcello now works as a financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual and is passionate about teaching and helping people.  

Paula Sterling

Paula is a native Portuguese speaker from São Paulo, Brazil. Besides Portuguese, Paula is fluent in Spanish and English. Her professional background includes positions in Instructional Design, Translation and Project Management, and she has worked for companies such as Edward Jones, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Ungerboeck Software. Currently Paula works as a Senior Learning and Development Specialist at Citibank in O’Fallon, MO. Paula is a certified k-12 teacher in Brazil, besides holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature from Pontifícia Universidade Católica - São Paulo (PUC-SP), and a Master’s Degree in Science of Education with emphasis in Instructional Technology and Performance Improvement from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – SIUe).  Paula arrived in St. Louis in 2007 with her son Amin and is passionate about sharing the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture with the local St. Louis community. 

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