Armenian Teachers Focus on Technology

14 September 2011

At the annual Symposium for Armenian Teachers, held this year at St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, N.J., presentations were given by expert educators on the ways students learn and on how technology can aid in the learning process. 

More than 40 participants representing six Diocesan Armenian schools in New York and New Jersey attended the event, which was hosted by St. Thomas' Kirkian Armenian School on Saturday, September 10. The day's program was organized by Gilda Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian Studies in the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education.

Jim Jacobson, a professor of education at St. Peter College in New Jersey, gave an interactive presentation on the principles of learning. Participants also heard from Artoun Hamalian, director of education at the Armenian General Benevolent Union, who spoke about virtual classrooms and other technological tools for teaching children the Armenian language in today's world.

Ms. Kupelian introduced new resources and works in progress at the Diocese's Armenian Studies program. These include planning interscholastic cultural events for students and the development of a practical grammar book. Ms. Kupelian also noted the emphasis being placed on hosting an increased number of regional seminars to allow educators from different parts of the country to hear about the latest developments in Armenian studies and to share concerns and advice. The most recent regional seminar was held in Cambridge, Mass., last May for teachers in the New England area.

In addition to the presentations by guest speakers and Ms. Kupelian, symposium participants viewed and discussed a video on Classical Armenian orthography.

The day also featured an award ceremony. Sirvart Demirjian, Araxi Diratsouian, and Nazik Sesetian of Tenafly's Kirkian School were honored for 25 years of service. Tanya Vartanian of the Kirkian School and Berch Manukian of the Diocese's Khrimian Lyceum were honored for a decade of service.

The honorees were presented with gifts on behalf of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), in appreciation of their dedication to teaching children the Armenian language and culture.

The participating schools also received copies of a CD featuring the Armenian and American national anthems, as arranged by Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, the Diocese's coordinator of Music Ministry. Schools wishing to obtain the CD should contact Ms. Kupelian at (212) 686-0710 ext. 148.

The Kirkian School, which hosted the symposium, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The school-the largest in the Diocese-was recognized by Armenia's Ministry of Diaspora on this occasion.

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