Valeria: ten years of courageous choices and growth with the Foundation
‘I graduated in Primary Education,’ says Valeria Cristino, 26, originally from Tivoli, with a smile.
This is an important milestone, the result of a journey that has not always been straightforward but has been deeply meaningful, in which the Fondazione Mondo Digitale has played a central role from the very beginning. Valeria first came into contact with the Foundation almost ten years ago, while attending the Spallanzani high school in Tivoli.
‘We took part in the Phyrtual Factory programme, the inclusive youth accelerator. That was my first interaction with the Foundation,’ she recalls. From that moment on, the bond has never been broken: first as a student involved in coding and innovation activities, then, since 2019, as a trainer for projects such as Ambizione Italia per la scuola and Smart & Heart Rome, and today she is still active in our initiatives.
Her commitment as a trainer has left a deep mark on her personal and professional journey: ‘It has definitely been very important. I used to study engineering, but while taking courses with the Foundation, I discovered my passion for teaching and decided to change. It was my first real encounter with school.’
In her role as a trainer, Valeria has gained essential skills, both interpersonal and teaching: ‘The relationship with the children, working with schools, but also with teachers... I learned what it really means to pass on knowledge and help others learn. It's one of the most beautiful things I've discovered.’ She adds sincerely, ‘I also learned to work in a team, something that the Foundation has always encouraged us to do, ever since I was a student in the training projects.’
Although her degree thesis was on children's literature, Valeria enthusiastically emphasises the link between her educational interests and her experiences with the Foundation. "I wanted to write about coding, but in the end I went down a different path. However, a few years ago, with the Foundation, we carried out a storytelling project with Scratch, using Aesop's fables to run workshops with children. It was a way to combine school, technology and passion, a bridge between seemingly distant worlds.‘
If you had to describe your experience with the Foundation in one word, what would it be? ’Inspiring," she replies without hesitation. A definition that encapsulates the deepest meaning of our work: accompanying people in moments of choice and growth, offering stimuli and opportunities that help them build a future tailored to each individual.
Our heartfelt congratulations go to Valeria on her graduation and a special thank you for the enthusiasm and dedication with which she continues to share her journey with us.
