Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Foreign Languages José Antonio Amaro (August 18, 1913-) was born in Alto Songo, Oriente, Cuba, the son of Dolores J. Jimenez and José I. Amaro. Amaro was one of seven children; he has one brother and five sisters. Amaro attended Colegios Internacionales del Cristo High School in Cristo, Oriente, Cuba, and graduated in 1928. Amaro and his wife, Frances, have two children: a daughter, Angela Dolores Amaro (September 10, 1945-), and a son, José Antonio Amaro, Jr. (September 3, 1948-). Amaro earned his B.S.A. degree in Spanish literature from the Institute of Secondary Education of Santiago de Cuba in 1938. After graduating, Amaro became an elementary school teacher at Urban Elementary School in Holguin, Oriente, Cuba, where he taught the fifth and sixth grades. While teaching at Urban Elementary School, Amaro attended the Normal School for Teachers in Las Villas, Cuba, and received his master of arts and sciences degree in secondary education in 1948. Amaro then enrolled at the University of Havana, Cuba, where he obtained his doctor of pedagogy (equivalent to the Ed.D.) degree in 1951 and the L.L.D. degree in civil and public law in 1953. From 1948 until 1954, Amaro was a faculty member at the Superior School #2 (equivalent to a senior high school), in Holguin, Oriente, Cuba, where he taught Spanish grammar, Spanish syntax and prosody, and Spanish composition and style. In 1954, Amaro became a professor at the Normal School for Teachers of Holguin, Oriente, Cuba. There he taught Spanish peninsular literature, Spanish-American literature, and Spanish language methodology until 1957. Amaro then took the position of auxiliary professor at the North University of Oriente, Cuba, where he taught the history of Spanish literature until 1959. From 1952 to 1954, Amaro also served as director of cultural affairs for the provincial government of Oriente, Cuba, and from 1953 until 1962, he was in private law practice and served as a notary public in Holgiun, Oriente, Cuba. During 1962 and part of 1963, Amaro was in political asylum at the Uruguayan Embassy in Havana, Cuba. In 1963, Amaro arrived in the United States and lived in Miami, Florida, until 1964 when he moved to Emporia, Kansas, to begin work on his master's degree at Emporia State University. In 1965, Amaro received his M.S. degree in secondary education from Kansas State Teachers' College, Emporia, Kansas. He became an assistant professor at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, where he taught undergraduate courses in Spanish. Amaro came to Appalachian State University in 1967 as an associate professor in the Department of Foreign Languages. He gained his United States citizenship in 1969 and also at that time was promoted to professor of Spanish. Amaro taught advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses in Spanish. Amaro has written two books on Spanish poetry: Desvelos, 1976, and Clamor Adulto, 1977, both published in Spain. He has also written the following articles and papers: • "How to Evaluate the Knowledge of the Spanish Language at the Intermediate Level," in KMLA Bulletin, May 1965. • "Spanish Composition Manual for Teaching," in KSTC Magazine, December 1965. • His paper, "Spanish Linguistics," MIFLC, was presented in October 1977 at East Tennessee State University. Amaro retired at the end of the 1978-79 academic year and was honored with emeritus status by the Appalachian Board of Trustees in 1979. In retirement, Amaro remains very busy. In 1979, his book on poetry, Palpitos, was published in Spain. In 1981 another book on poetry, Cosas del Amor, was also published in Spain. During 1982-84, Amaro served as the managing editor and literary columnist for Mundo Hispanico, a monthly Spanish community newspaper in Atlanta. From 1983 until present, Amaro serves as a Vista Volunteer for Action, a federal agency in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 1984, Amaro has been the managing editor of the Latin American Association Bulletin and he writes a monthly column entitled "Idea, Vox y Palabra." He also has been serving as the coordinator of "La Tertulia de Nuestra Cultura," a monthly meeting of the Latin American Association's Cultural Club. Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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