Instructor Profile - Ann Evangelisto
Ann Evangelisto
Meet Ann Evangelisto - by Barbara McLean. April 2017.
This is the story of an astonishing teacher so devoted to learning and teaching, so touched by words and thoughts, and so enthusiastic and optimistic about her task that just one conversation with her will ignite your passion to learn anew!
Her name is Ann Evangelisto and she has been teaching Literature at OLLI since 1998. A tiny, plucky, soft spoken lady is Ann, delightfully articulate, who shares easily the details of her life with a twinkling eye and somewhat astonished countenance. “I am not accustomed to talking about myself” she chuckles. It was with a marvelous sense of humor and charming candor that this devoted teacher talked about her life and world. Her fine mind and determination to learn and become shines throughout the story of her life.
Ann grew up in a lovingly traditional Italian family in Altoona, PA. The culture of her Italian family permeated her world and she ate Italian, played with other Italian children, and went to Catholic school. Although her grandparents spoke Italian, her parents did not insist the children learn the language. Her family’s income was modest so when it came time for college, Ann had to work and scrape together enough money for her own education. Sometimes food was scarce, sometimes she slept in a basement bed next to a furnace as school housing was more than she could afford. Once she lost a job in a school cafeteria because she was so very hungry, she ate a piece of uneaten cake from a tray headed to the garbage She could not afford text books so when the books she needed were already checked out of the library, she had only her class notes to see her though. But her determination and love of learning kept her going. Her family’s support, although never financial, was always available. Ann relates the facts of her childhood without any trace of anger or sadness and, in fact, regards herself as so very lucky that she could get an education. Ann graduated from Penn State as an English major with a Bachelor of Arts degree and began teaching at the Keith Jr High School where she stayed several years. Knowing she wanted an advanced degree, she did substitute teaching while pursuing a Masters Degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
It was Ann’s sister who moved to North Carolina and encouraged Ann to move down too. Much against her better judgment, and taking a cut in pay, she did. Answering an ad in a newspaper for a teaching job, she moved to Weldon City, a very impoverished community that was looking for a teacher for a gifted program. “So I put together a program and started. It went really well, the parents were so supportive. I was there for 6 years”. From there, she went to New Bern also to teach a gifted program in the high school. “The parents there were initially very challenging and I had to work hard to build my program” she related. There about 7 years, but longing for more cultural activities, Ann jumped at the chance to teach in Durham High School and then Jordan High School. There until 1994, she continued teaching English in the gifted program. She loved the kids, the parents and other teachers although the unusually high expectations of parents for their children sometimes gave her pause.
After 30 years in the classroom, in 1996, Ann retired.
But if you think this lady was “only” a teacher, read on. Ann visited 100 countries during her 30 years of teaching. She and a friend traveled “everywhere”. “I think every American ought to be required to travel outside this country because you learn so much. People in other countries, even street workers, know more about America than we do”. For a number of years, she went to Russia every other year and stayed with friends through the Sister Cities of Durham program. “But I was told not to speak on the tram or train because people would know I was American, even though I would dress ‘down’ in dark colors so as not to call attention to myself. Travel was not always easy then….or even now”. But St. Petersburg, Russia is still one of Ann’s favorite cities, “it is elegant”. Her most interesting trip was to Mongolia where she stayed in a Yurt! “Traveling has enabled me to be a better teacher”, she reports as she finds literature from authors she would never have known here at home.
“In 1998 I saw a brochure for Olli” and began teaching.” I love to do the research for my classes and in my travels, I find interesting writings to share”. Ann reports that her OLLI students are well read and well prepared. “I learn more from my students than they learn from me! Teaching at OLLI is wonderful because classes can be so intense with students bringing their own experiences to share with all”. With a twinkle, Ann reports that this year she learned to use power point. “I needed to join the 21st century so I went to U-Tube and a young man who looked to be about 13 taught me, and although I swore I would never use it, this year I did and it has been great”. An adventurer with technology as well as with authors, Ann’s enthusiasm to learn and grow becomes obvious!
So what does this merry musketeer do these days for fun? “I ride that train! I will go anywhere on a train. I just love to travel this way as I meet so many nice people and can read and enjoy the trip”. Ann also volunteers one day a week at the local elementary school helping with the after school program. Ushering at Baldwin and for ADF allows her to attend concerts and dance performances. She also travels often to Altoona (on the train of course!) to visit her family. She is an art collector, favoring North Carolina artists and also collects books, “oh so many books” - - book storage in her home has always been a major problem!
The joy of learning and becoming is infectious as you learn more about this mighty, lovely lady who has devoted her life to the art and the science of teaching. A gentle nature, a curious spirit, a determination to succeed all combine within this OLLI teacher to provide for her students the best learning she can find. Those OLLI learners who have found their way to her classes are fortunate to meet this woman so devoted to her craft. Thank you Ann, for helping students find themselves and their world through literature.
This is the story of an astonishing teacher so devoted to learning and teaching, so touched by words and thoughts, and so enthusiastic and optimistic about her task that just one conversation with her will ignite your passion to learn anew!
Her name is Ann Evangelisto and she has been teaching Literature at OLLI since 1998. A tiny, plucky, soft spoken lady is Ann, delightfully articulate, who shares easily the details of her life with a twinkling eye and somewhat astonished countenance. “I am not accustomed to talking about myself” she chuckles. It was with a marvelous sense of humor and charming candor that this devoted teacher talked about her life and world. Her fine mind and determination to learn and become shines throughout the story of her life.
Ann grew up in a lovingly traditional Italian family in Altoona, PA. The culture of her Italian family permeated her world and she ate Italian, played with other Italian children, and went to Catholic school. Although her grandparents spoke Italian, her parents did not insist the children learn the language. Her family’s income was modest so when it came time for college, Ann had to work and scrape together enough money for her own education. Sometimes food was scarce, sometimes she slept in a basement bed next to a furnace as school housing was more than she could afford. Once she lost a job in a school cafeteria because she was so very hungry, she ate a piece of uneaten cake from a tray headed to the garbage She could not afford text books so when the books she needed were already checked out of the library, she had only her class notes to see her though. But her determination and love of learning kept her going. Her family’s support, although never financial, was always available. Ann relates the facts of her childhood without any trace of anger or sadness and, in fact, regards herself as so very lucky that she could get an education. Ann graduated from Penn State as an English major with a Bachelor of Arts degree and began teaching at the Keith Jr High School where she stayed several years. Knowing she wanted an advanced degree, she did substitute teaching while pursuing a Masters Degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
It was Ann’s sister who moved to North Carolina and encouraged Ann to move down too. Much against her better judgment, and taking a cut in pay, she did. Answering an ad in a newspaper for a teaching job, she moved to Weldon City, a very impoverished community that was looking for a teacher for a gifted program. “So I put together a program and started. It went really well, the parents were so supportive. I was there for 6 years”. From there, she went to New Bern also to teach a gifted program in the high school. “The parents there were initially very challenging and I had to work hard to build my program” she related. There about 7 years, but longing for more cultural activities, Ann jumped at the chance to teach in Durham High School and then Jordan High School. There until 1994, she continued teaching English in the gifted program. She loved the kids, the parents and other teachers although the unusually high expectations of parents for their children sometimes gave her pause.
After 30 years in the classroom, in 1996, Ann retired.
But if you think this lady was “only” a teacher, read on. Ann visited 100 countries during her 30 years of teaching. She and a friend traveled “everywhere”. “I think every American ought to be required to travel outside this country because you learn so much. People in other countries, even street workers, know more about America than we do”. For a number of years, she went to Russia every other year and stayed with friends through the Sister Cities of Durham program. “But I was told not to speak on the tram or train because people would know I was American, even though I would dress ‘down’ in dark colors so as not to call attention to myself. Travel was not always easy then….or even now”. But St. Petersburg, Russia is still one of Ann’s favorite cities, “it is elegant”. Her most interesting trip was to Mongolia where she stayed in a Yurt! “Traveling has enabled me to be a better teacher”, she reports as she finds literature from authors she would never have known here at home.
“In 1998 I saw a brochure for Olli” and began teaching.” I love to do the research for my classes and in my travels, I find interesting writings to share”. Ann reports that her OLLI students are well read and well prepared. “I learn more from my students than they learn from me! Teaching at OLLI is wonderful because classes can be so intense with students bringing their own experiences to share with all”. With a twinkle, Ann reports that this year she learned to use power point. “I needed to join the 21st century so I went to U-Tube and a young man who looked to be about 13 taught me, and although I swore I would never use it, this year I did and it has been great”. An adventurer with technology as well as with authors, Ann’s enthusiasm to learn and grow becomes obvious!
So what does this merry musketeer do these days for fun? “I ride that train! I will go anywhere on a train. I just love to travel this way as I meet so many nice people and can read and enjoy the trip”. Ann also volunteers one day a week at the local elementary school helping with the after school program. Ushering at Baldwin and for ADF allows her to attend concerts and dance performances. She also travels often to Altoona (on the train of course!) to visit her family. She is an art collector, favoring North Carolina artists and also collects books, “oh so many books” - - book storage in her home has always been a major problem!
The joy of learning and becoming is infectious as you learn more about this mighty, lovely lady who has devoted her life to the art and the science of teaching. A gentle nature, a curious spirit, a determination to succeed all combine within this OLLI teacher to provide for her students the best learning she can find. Those OLLI learners who have found their way to her classes are fortunate to meet this woman so devoted to her craft. Thank you Ann, for helping students find themselves and their world through literature.
Editor's Note : If you would like to show appreciation to the profiled instructor, you can email to instructor-profile@olliatduke.org