CCU Alumna Recognized for a Quarter Century of Excellence in Teaching

Beverly Jo Keeney-Kowalski, a graduate of Colorado Christian University heritage school, Rockmont College, was recently named a Metropolitan Who's Who Honored Member in Education. A special selection committee hand picked the Who's Who honorees based on their accomplishments, academic achievement, leadership, and service.

Keeney-Kowalski has been involved in education for over 23 years and held positions at San Gabriel Christian School, Valley Christian School, and Fruitdale Preschool/ Kindergarten in California as well as Colorado's Jefferson County Public Schools. Her expertise includes reading instruction and biblical studies.

Currently a kindergarten teacher for Belleview Christian School in Westminster, Keeney-Kowalski was also recently honored by the Cambridge Who's Who and the Who's Who of American Teachers in 2004-2005 and 2006-2007. American Teacher honorees are nominated by former students; recipients of the Cambridge and Metropolitan awards are nominated by colleagues.

Belleview Christian School is a perfect fit for Keeney-Kowalski as it specializes in providing excellent traditional education as well as an accelerated progress program for students. A love of children and seeing them grow and learn has been the motivating force for Keeney-Kowalski, who earned a B.A. in both Education and Biblical Studies from Rockmont College in 1962.

Keeney-Kowalski credits the College for playing an integral role in her path to becoming an outstanding educator. She originally hadn't planned to become an elementary teacher, but was steered in that direction by a Rockmont mentor.

"I took his advice and, when I finished my degree, I knew it had been God's plan for my life all along," she explained.

"My undergraduate education prepared me very well," Keeney-Kowalski stated. From her first day as a student-teacher, she felt that education was the right career choice and that she had been equipped with the tools for success.