Olivia Ann Ferrante is a distinguished teacher of the visually impaired who has amassed more than 40 years of dedicated service in the field. Growing up with visual impairments herself from a formative age, she has been inspired to apply her personal experiences to helping others who struggle with similar disabilities. A disability advocate in her own right, she has further devoted her life to aiding other disabled individuals achieve success. Since the inception of her career, she sought to prove to her students that they should not be held back or defined by their disabilities. She has also sought to instill in her students the courage to achieve greatness.
Subsequent to receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1970, Ms. Ferrante enrolled in a master’s program for teaching blind students at the Perkins School for the Blind. Soon thereafter, she graduated with a Master of Education and began serving as chair of the Braille department with the National Braille Press from 1971 to 1974 and a traveling teacher of the visually impaired at more than 50 schools. Working at Revere High School between 1974 and 1992, Ms. Ferrante worked one-on-one with students in typing, Braille and handwriting, among other subjects. Since 1984, she has served as a consultant for the Revere Parent Teacher Association, as well as a member of the Steven J. Rich Scholarship Committee since 1993.
A certified history teacher and teacher of the blind, Ms. Ferrante is renowned for her several submitted proposals to her local government, including proposals that called for the installation of brighter street lamps, audio pedestrian signals, a police substation and accessibility for individuals with special needs at a local movie theater, which was the first of its kind in Massachusetts. Likewise, Ms. Ferrante enjoys spending her spare time volunteering for nonprofit charities. She maintains involvement with the Animal Umbrella cat shelter, the Revere Commission on Disabilities, the Braille Institute of America, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and the Catholic League.
Ms. Ferrante attributes her profound success to the support and gentle encouragement of her parents, who never set limitations on her achievements and always expected her to do her best. Additionally, her mental and spiritual wellbeing has also flourished through her Catholic faith, which has provided her with consolation, energy and strength throughout life. She has been highlighted in several editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in the East and Who’s Who of American Women.
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