Andrea Armenta

Behavior Services Professional

Hello. My name is Andrea Armenta.  I am a Behavior Professional for Among Friends.  Before coming to Among Friends, I was a special education teacher in a self-contained life skills classroom for middle and high school students. The students who attended my classroom were students who had complex or severe disabilities and often needed multiple levels of support.  I was also blessed with being a camp counselor at Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp.  Camp Kiwanis provides the camping experience to individuals who experience significant disabilities.  For me, helping others become more independent, self-reliant and confident in their own abilities is very rewarding!  

When I am not working, I love spending time with my family. I enjoy taking my dogs on walks, reading books, listening to music, weightlifting and watching competition baking shows!  I live a quiet life in Eastern Oregon with my amazing husband and daughter. I am so lucky to be able to walk my daughter to and from school every day!  

I try to be the best version of Andrea that I can be. In life, and in work, I aim to treat others with respect and kindness.  I look forward to working with you and helping you be the best version of yourself, as well.

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Get to Know Andrea

  • I love spending time with my family. I enjoy taking my dogs on walks, reading books, listening to music, weightlifting and watching competition baking shows!

  • I have two dogs! One old lab-mix named Gunner, who is very sweet and a big mama’s boy! My other pup is a pit-mix named Nina, who is so smart but also very very needy! I am thankful to have such wonderful pets as a part of my little family!

  • I live a quiet life in Eastern Oregon with my amazing husband and daughter. I am so lucky to be able to walk my daughter to and from school every day! I am fortunate to also live in the same town as my mom, sister and grandmother!

  • I have one child. My daughter is 9 years old and in 3rd grade. She is sweet, smart, funny and has an artist’s soul! I am beyond appreciative to be her mom!

  • I was born and raised here in Oregon. I grew up in a very small mountain community called Ukiah. Once I grew up, I spread my wings and flew to the big city of Portland and then even further away to Joshua Tree in California. However far away I am, Oregon has always felt like home!

  • I am a happy home body, but the quarantine did have a huge impact on my personal life. I lost some friends I had made over the years and found myself very depressed. However, having a loving family helped me work through that period of time. The quarantine helped me be more present and appreciative of social interactions when I do get to have them.

  • I traveled to Santorini Greece when I was in my early 20’s. It was stunningly beautiful, whitewash buildings, cobblestone streets, cats sunbathed everywhere, and the sea was extraordinarily blue. I remember traveling by scooter and the hillsides smelling like wine! I hope to go back someday.

  • Randy Travis came and performed at the Pendelton Round-Up it was a big deal! I was in middle school.

  • I am an avid reader! I love Stephen King and Dean Koonts books. One of my all-time favorites books by Stephen King is The Stand, I have read that book many times! I also love Anne Bishop her The Others series is fantastic, with character development out of this world!

  • If I could go back in time, I’d love to have a homemade dinner roll made by my grandma K.; no one could make bread like she could! I also love thin crust pizza.

Professional Information

  • Portland State University

  • 5 years (as of 2024). I was a special education teacher in a self-contained life skills classroom for middle and high school students. The students who attended my classroom were students who had complex or severe disabilities and often needed multiple levels of support.

  • One summer I was a camp counselor at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. Camp Kiwanis provides individuals who have significant disabilities the wonderful experience of camping! It was a profoundly moving experience for me and this was the summer I realized I loved working with individuals who have intellectual and or developmental disabilities.

  • I try to be the best version of Andrea that I can be. In life, and in work, I aim to treat others with respect and kindness. When I am working, I am present and actively listening.

  • When I was teaching anytime one of my students gained a skill, they previously struggled with I felt a great sense of accomplishment. For me helping others become more independent, self-reliant and confident in their own abilities is very rewarding!

  • Through the years I have met many wonderful and inspiring mentors! Women who have encouraged me to strive to be a better role model and work harder for the things that I love and am passionate about!

  • I am new to Among Friends and am excited to be joining their team because I am looking forward to being part of a dynamic team that supports the community of individuals who I am passionate about working with!