Celebrating the life of Teaching Artist Beverly Cottman

Beverly Cottman

With deep sadness and shock, we share the news of the untimely passing of beloved COMPAS Teaching Artist Beverly Cottman. Auntie Beverly, as she was also known, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 11, 2023, during a trip to Cairo, Egypt, with friends. Our hearts are with Beverly’s family during this challenging time. We wish them peace and comfort. 

Beverly was a kind, generous teacher who brought inspiration and light to her students and colleagues. To all, she was a supportive mentor, a loving force with an infectious smile, and a teller of universal truths. Auntie Beverly genuinely believed in and valued the inherent ability of every person to be creative and to experience joy in that creation. During her time as a COMPAS Teaching Artist, she received glowing reviews everywhere she went, from library performances to older adult communities to schools. Participants always shared how much they loved her energy, humor, and the way she brought artistry to everything she did. 

An educator with over 30 years of experience, Beverly was chosen as the 2022 COMPAS Teaching Artist of the Year. In her work, she presented performances, workshops, and residencies for participants at elementary schools, high schools, colleges, conventions, senior centers, and business meetings. She was a member and workshop presenter with Black Storytellers Alliance, Story Arts of Minnesota, National Storytellers Network, and the National Association of Black Storytellers. She completed 70 hours of training at the Lincoln Center Education Teaching Artist Development Lab and recently collaborated with COMPAS staff to gear up for a full-school storytelling takeover at Carver Elementary.  

Auntie Beverly

“No matter the age, all students want, need, and should have opportunities to express their creativity.”

Beverly was also an instrumental part of The Rootwork Learning Cohort, as COMPAS staff learned alongside teaching artists to study and develop best practices that are informed by the many varied lived experiences of our communities. During that time, she asked questions that were not always easy to answer, and she shared her insights and beautiful writing with the group. Always ready for new experiences, Beverly was set to be the evaluator and curriculum consultant for a COMPAS project this spring. Everyone was looking forward to the chance to soak up her wisdom, her quick laugh, and always, the joy she brought to every endeavor. 

To learn more about Beverly, in her own words, please read this interview from our blog. 

It was an honor and a joy to work with Beverly and to support her in pursuing the joy of bringing stories to so many. She will always be a treasured member of the COMPAS family.    
 

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

RIP Beverly. We will never forget the feelings of joy and inspiration you brought to our lives. 

Dawne, Joan, Julie, Emma, Matt, Marlaine, Sam 

COMPAS staff