Teacher Jacqueline Armento, who holds degrees in social studies and criminology and has a passion for both fields, found her happy place at John Bowne HS in Flushing, Queens.

“I love this school. I love the community that we built here. I love that I get to teach social studies and I get to teach law,” Armento said. “So, two things that I’m super passionate about, I get to do every day, which is awesome.”

Armento joined Bowne HS in 2020 as a social studies teacher and, three years later, became law coordinator for the school’s Law Institute. That same year, the 7-year-old program became one of the first CTE-certified law programs in New York State.

Her work developing and coordinating the program alongside school leadership earned her recognition at this year’s UFT Career and Technical Education Awards night, where she received a UFT CTE Educators Award.

Bowne HS Chapter Leader Melissa Alvarez credited Armento with helping to spearhead the legal CTE program, calling her the “point person that really took the lead, took the initiative.”

The Law Institute is offered beginning in 9th grade and now serves about 250 students preparing for careers in law, law enforcement, court reporting and related fields. “These kids — they’re so driven,” Armento said.

Students gain hands-on experience through the school’s youth court, where they take on roles as attorneys, jurors and other courtroom participants, handling cases tied to violations of Chancellor’s Regulations. Some students, Armento noted, “are actually trying to push for more serious cases.”

As law coordinator, Armento works closely with her assistant principal to organize trips, plan events such as career days and town halls, and produce regular program updates. She also advises the school’s Law Club.

Her path to the high school classroom was not linear.

Armento first earned a master’s degree in early childhood education, while working as a paraprofessional, before realizing she was better suited to teaching older students. She then pursued a second master’s in social studies education.

“You know when you just walk in somewhere and you know that this is where you’re supposed to be?” she said of her high-schoolers. “That’s exactly how I feel with this age range.”

Armento said her stepfather, who died in 2013, continues to shape her work. A former middle school teacher, he was forced to leave the profession due to health issues and before completing his own graduate studies. The two bonded over their love of social studies through long conversations and watching documentaries.

What her stepdad dreamed about, she said, “I am doing every single day.”