Lia Andrews

Director and Founder of Language U

Lia Andrews is Language U’s creator and director. Language U and all of its “Language through FUN!” components are a combination of Lia’s love of languages, imagination, culture, travel and teaching. She received her BA in French and English with a minor in Spanish from West Chester University. She has a Master's degree in French from Middlebury College. 

In 2008, Lia began teaching French and Spanish to elementary and preschool students with an emphasis on education through music and hands-on interaction. Through this initial experience, she remarked how crucial engagement and positivity are to the learning process. And after working to create her own curriculum, she realized how little language programming and opportunities there were for children in the United States.

While studying abroad in France and backpacking through Europe in 2010, Lia witnessed the multiculturalism and multilingualism that Europe shared and she made it her life’s goal to create a program for kids that would encompass different aspects of language and culture through hands-on learning. From there, she created the Language University world and all of its themes, games and adventures.

Lia’s favorite part of Language U is being able to create an open-minded and multicultural world for children.

Paul Calvarese

Music and Video Specialist

Paul Calverese creates all of Language U’s music and videos. Before joining Lia in designing Language U’s curriculum, Paul had spent years looking for a way to combine his loves of language and music. Since 2009, he has taught Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, ESL and piano. As a founding member of LU, he helped develop the language and cultural material featured in Language U’s Spanish and Chinese in-class curriculum, and he currently produces the videos featured in the Digital Curriculum. 

Paul studied languages and writing systems throughout his childhood, which led to his degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Delaware. He also took courses at the University of Costa Rica and the Foreigners' University of Siena in Italy. He has a DELE certification (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) from Instituto Cervantes (Level C1), and several TEFL certifications. He is fluent in Spanish and Italian, and has a working knowledge of Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Mandarin Chinese.

Paul began studying music theory as a child and has played piano, guitar and drums for thirty years. He has arranged and recorded all of the songs featured in Language University's curriculum and on our album, ¡Listos! Paul's favorite aspect of Language University is the ability to share his love of language with children through original music.

Victoria Beth Andrews

Illustrator

Victoria is an illustrator for Language U. In May of 2019, Victoria, graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. During her time at JMU she discovered her love for illustration, traveling, and working with children.

After graduating, Victoria joined the Mickey Mouse in the Disney College Program where she would meet people from all over the world, while exploring the magic of Disney. At the same time, Victoria became an official member of team LU! Inspired by her surroundings, she began illustrating lovable characters and animals. Most recently, Victoria illustrated the comic book, “The Adventures of Espantapájaros.”

Victoria is also working behind the scenes editing and creating videos. You might also recognize her from some of Language U’s Facebook lives and videos where she has made surprise guest appearances. Victoria’s favorite part of being a member of team LU is illustrating and working with her sister to create fun videos that children love! 

Mary Kay Davis Sweeney

Art Specialist

Mary Kay is Language U’s art specialist. As her Kindergarten teacher once said, “Mary Kay is small, but she is mighty.” Language U is incredibly lucky to have this mighty mom and “NeeNee” of two grandchildren (featured in picture). A former PTO parent and homeroom mom, Mary Kay is unapologetically thorough and steadfast to her love of art.

Since Language U’s genesis, Mary Kay has given it the same creativity, love and attention that she gives anything in which she is involved. She designed Language U’s characters, props, crafts and she illustrated, “Amigos Pingüinos.” With her self-taught Cricut skills, she also had hundreds of crafts printed, labeled, cut out, bagged and ready for students every week. She remains a wise and insightful mentor, and she can confidently answer questions ranging from bookkeeping to budgeting to raising chickens. Mary Kay’s favorite part of Language U is witnessing Lia’s passion for her program, seeing students with her crafts, and being able to work from home with her dog, Wilbur.