JoAnn Armistead MA

Richmond, Virginia

Personal Statement

I grew up as a teacher’s assistant. From the time I was quite young, I often spent time helping my mother in her classroom and experienced firsthand all that teaching involved. I knew I would like it. But in college, a new adventurous twist became part of my story. I felt called to teach overseas. I was fascinated by fellow students who had studied an American curriculum, but grew up in Africa, Europe or Asia. They had done this because there had been American teachers willing to go where they lived. To my amazement, I ended up teaching in an international school in Pakistan and my own children became some of those fascinating brand of students I had admired in college!

I have come to see the role of a teacher as a mediator. This involves the challenge of building bridges between students and the English language through different means, good questions being one of the most powerful tools.

Resume

Education

Central Missouri State University 1991-1993 M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language

Gordon College 1983-1987 B.S. in Elementary Education, Psychology minor

Virginia Teaching License, Endorsements Early Ed NK-4 and ESL Pre-K- 12

 

Experience

Tuckahoe Elementary School, Henrico, Virginia, volunteer ESL tutor, 2016-2017

Professionally certified as an educational therapist through the National Institute of Learning
Development (NILD), 2011-2015

Murree Christian School, Murree, Pakistan, 2008-2015

-Provided educational therapy and educational testing for elementary and middle school
students in this international school setting
-English as a second language, Grades 4-10
-High school and elementary librarian
-Homeroom advisor for Class of 2014 from grades 7-12
-Elementary music

Coordinated a cooperative international homeschool with three families and an American
teacher in Pakistan, 2004-2008

Donnelly College, Kansas, Intensive English Language instructor, 1994

Chesterfield County Public School, Virginia, Grades 2 and 4, 1987-1991

 

Continuing Professional Development

 Regent University graduate level courses, Teaching How to Learn, NILD Level 2, Developing

Cognitive Competencies, NILD Level 3, Teaching Reading to English Language Learners, 2007-
2013

 

Personal

Married to Dr. Scott Armistead for 25 years with three dearly loved sons and a new daughter-
in-law (June 10, 2017)

Lived 11 years in Pakistan and can speak Urdu, the national language

Traveled through Europe and parts of Asia with a stint in Africa

Enjoy singing, swimming and reading good books with a particular love for children’s literature