Armenian Teachers Symposıum Held at Diocesan Center

Teach me to speak, read, and write. Give me the key that unlocks the treasure of my heritage."

—Barbara Hovsepian

Close to 60 Armenian educators gathered at the Diocesan Center in New York for the Armenian Teachers Symposium on Saturday, September 6. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian opened the day with a prayer. Educator Vehanoush Tekian gave the keynote address on the wonders of the Armenian alphabet. Her presentation ended with quotes from famous poets Zahrad and Jacques Hagopian.

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PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian 

Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697  

E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

September 16, 2014

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ARMENIAN TEACHERS SYMPOSIUM HELD AT DIOCESAN CENTER

Teach me to speak, read, and write.

Give me the key that unlocks the treasure of my heritage."

—Barbara Hovsepian

Close to 60 Armenian educators gathered at the Diocesan Center in New York for the Armenian Teachers Symposium on Saturday, September 6.

Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian opened the day with a prayer. Educator Vehanoush Tekian gave the keynote address on the wonders of the Armenian alphabet. Her presentation ended with quotes from famous poets Zahrad and Jacques Hagopian.

Armenian Studies director Gilda Kupelian introduced new resources, spoke about best practices and Diocesan standards, and recommended requirements for graduates of Armenian schools. She congratulated three new principals in attendance as well as a new teacher who is a recent graduate of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School and the Diocese's Khrimian Lycuem.

Teachers shared practices and programs implemented at their local schools and took part in a workshop during which they discussed the criteria for the ideal Armenian school.

Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, the Diocese's director of Music Ministry, shared Vahan Tekeyan's poem Yegeghetsin Haygagan put to music, and encouraged teachers to teach it to their students. He was accompanied by longtime educator and mezzo soprano Maro Partamian.

Other highlights included the recitation of Armenian poetry, including an original poem by participant Barbara Hovsepian, and the presentation of awards to accomplished teachers.

Maro Partamian, Anahid Mateossian, Barbara Hovsepian, Hagop and Marie Ghajanian, and Haikaz Gharakanian were recognized for more than 25 years of service to the Armenian school. Helen Minassyan, Hasmik Kadamian, Anoush Makarian, and Maryann Utuciyan were honored for 10 years of service. The Kirikian Armenian School of Tenafly, NJ, was recognized as the school with the highest enrollment.

Archbishop Gizirian closed the symposium with heartfelt words of encouragement to Armenian School teachers. "We have two anchors," he said, "The Illuminator's lamp and Mesrob Mashdots' torch. Continue your work so that the new generation proudly says, ‘We are Armenian,' and carries forward these treasures passed down to us from our forefathers."

Representatives from the following eight Armenian schools attended this month’s symposium: St. Vartan Armenian School and Khrimian Lyceum of New York, NY; Holy Martyrs Language School of Bayside, NY; St. Gregory the Enlightener School of White Plains, NY; St. Gregory Armenian School of Brooklyn, NY; Kirikian School of Tenafly, NJ; St. Leon School of Fair Lawn, NJ; and Holy Resurrection Armenian School of New Britain, CT. Also present was Armenian scholar Vartan Mateossian, director of Armenian National Education Committee.

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Photos attached.

Photo 1: Armenian School educators pose for a photo with clergy on the steps of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York.

Photo 2: Participants listen to a presentation during the Armenian Teachers Symposium.