At Lowcountry Language Academy, our instructors are bilingual and native Spanish speakers who have earned a bachelor's degree from an institution either in their native country or in the United States. Teachers have trained annually in CPR and First Aid.  Our classes' high teacher-to-student ratio allows our teachers to give students the individual attention needed to develop language skills in reading, writing, and conversation.

Our teachers share a passion for art, music, cooking, and their individual cultures. Exposing students to various Spanish-speaking cultures encourage natural curiosity and appreciation for the multicultural world we live in.  From preparing a delicious paella or empanadas to creating unique art pieces utilizing sustainable materials, our teachers foster life-long learners. 

Tania Schettini, Founder and Program Director

Tania was born and raised in Colombia, South America, where she completed her social communication and journalism degree. Her career in media began in radio, where she worked as a journalist. Later she had the opportunity to work as a television actress. Radio-Television Española invited her to travel to Spain to expand her knowledge in media. After living in Spain and traveling through Europe, her desire to learn English and broaden her career opportunities brought her to the United States. During her world tour, she met her husband, Pietro, and married in 1992. They have three beautiful children: Natasha, 27, Dominick, 23, and Isabella, 19.

Tania and Peter have raised their children to be citizens of the world by learning early to love their birth country while embracing their heritage. This sense of passion and cultural responsibility gave birth to “Cleats for a Cause,” an organization founded by the Schettini Family. Its purpose is to collect gently used cleats to donate to less fortunate soccer lovers in Colombia and worldwide.

While raising her children, Tania attended Wake Forest University, where she obtained her Spanish K-12 teaching certification. Tania worked as a Spanish teacher in Charlotte and Winston Salem, North Carolina, in the public school systems. Tania loves to travel, learn, and embrace other cultures while capturing the beauty of nature, architecture, and people through photography (although her main subjects remain her children). Tania, her family, and their dog, Ringo, have resided on Daniel Island for the last 18 years, surrounded by "Southern Hospitality." The proximity to the ocean and palm trees reminds her of her hometown environment.

Tammy Villacres, English and Yoga Teacher

Tammy earned a degree in education from Francis Marion University. She has worked in the Charleston Area School for 14 years at Mitchell and Pickney Elementary. She is certified as a mindfulness and yoga instructor with over ten years of experience.

Tammy is very proud to be part of the Lowcountry Language team. The students enjoy her unique approach to phonetics instructions by incorporating movement during her classes.

She also teaches student mindfulness at Lowcountry Language Academy. She enjoys reading, yoga, mindfulness, traveling, and leading a healthy lifestyle in her free time. Her passion for these has inspired her to teach so that others find joy in these endeavors.

Tammy is married and has lived in Charleston for 24 years. She has two daughters, Gabriela, 21, and Sophia, 16. She enjoys traveling, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends.