About
My Journey
Dr. Beverly J. Armento
Growing up in an abusive, dysfunctional home, I naturally sought out safe places — and found these at school, church, the library — spaces where I didn’t cower when an adult approached me — places where my trusted mentors encouraged, motivated, and empowered me.
I was so inspired by my angel teachers that I, too, decided to teach and to “pass on” to my own students the lessons my teachers gave me: the love of and curiosity for learning, the thirst for truth, the value of safe and hopeful environments for all learners where each person is respected, treated with dignity and challenged with high expectations, and the acknowledgment that teaching and learning are sacred transactional processes where all parties must be fully and willingly engaged.
Now, after a highly satisfying fifty-year career as an educator, I am Professor Emerita at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. I pride myself most for maintaining friendship relationships with many former students, including a dozen from my very first class of fourth graders (1963-64) in Paramus, N.J.
Years Later...
“LOVED YOU THEN, LOVE YOU NOW,” is the way I feel about my former students.
Two sixth graders came-a-calling on their favorite teacher – all these years later! From Skyline Elementary School in Suitland, MD from 1966-68 – meet Jay and Kevin. I taught both of them in 5th and 6th grades! The next group include students from 1963-64, Paramus, NJ and former sixth graders from McIntosh Middle School in Sarasota, FL, 1964-65 for a reunion lunch.
Life As An Educator
I hold degrees from the William Paterson University, Purdue University, and Indiana University and have taught in New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, and Georgia. During my tenure at Georgia State University, I served as Chairperson of the Middle-Secondary Education Department in the College of Education and Human Development as well as the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Education in the College of Business. I’ve received the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award, 1985; the Outstanding Social Studies Educator in Georgia Award, 1990; and the College of Education’s Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, 1994.
For several years I volunteered at Refugee Family Services in Atlanta, primarily leading Effective Literacy Development training sessions for college level adult volunteers who worked with children in the afternoon school programs. Refugee Family Services honored me with the Refugee Champion Award in 2011.
As a kid, living in housing projects, I never envisioned my going to college. But, again because of the encouragement of my high school teachers, I did! And, because of scholarships, grants, loans, I was able to attend and graduate from three wonderful Universities with little debt. How grateful I am to my teachers and to all who sponsor and create scholarship opportunities. So, now it is my turn to “pass it on” by establishing scholarships at William Paterson University (for undergrads majoring in education) and at Georgia State University (for doctoral students).
In my retirement I’ve turned to writing and speaking about topics of interest to me: childhood trauma, adults living with untreated trauma, resilience, hope, the important role of teachers (counselors, librarians, coaches, other trusted adult mentors) in the lives of vulnerable children, and the importance of public education. You can see some of that work on my Writer and Speaker pages on this website.
Thanks for visiting with me here and do return to see what else is new.
