ANEC Holds Annual Seminar on Supporting Teachers

NEW YORK—On Sat., Sept. 7, the Armenian National Education Council (ANEC) sponsored a seminar for teachers in Armenian day and Saturday schools in the U.S. eastern region. Attendees from schools in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Providence, and Philadelphia gathered at the Armenian Prelacy headquarters in New York for breakfast and opening remarks that morning from His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, who spoke about his experience as a teacher and the important role of the educator. The task of educating the next generation is not just a cultural issue, he emphasized, but a national one.

Serving as the day’s master of ceremonies, ANEC member Dr. Asbed Vassilian told participants, “This seminar is dedicated to you.” Each year, he said, ANEC looks for ways to change and improve. He then gave a brief overview of the program and introduced the first speaker, ANEC’s director Dr. Vartan Matiossian.

Matiossian’s presentation, titled “‘Secrets’ of the Armenian Language,” aimed to empower teachers with an in-depth knowledge of the roots of the Armenian language, while dispelling common myths. Matiossian spoke about the Armenian language as part of the Indo-European tree, the connection between Classical and Modern Armenian, Eastern and Western Armenian, and the spelling debate.

Maroush Gulumian then shared her vast knowledge on the topic of “Teachers’ Resources: Where to Find and How to Use Them.” Her discussion ranged from textbooks for various ages and abilities, instructional reading materials, and books teaching mathematics in Armenian, to maps, puzzles, videos, and DVDs. For each item presented, Gulumian commented on where it was produced, where it could be purchased, and how it could be used. Participants were then able to browse and purchase the materials from the Prelacy Bookstore.

The teachers then enjoyed a lunch provided by ANEC, and had the opportunity to mingle and discuss their thoughts on the topics presented. After lunch, ANEC chairman Haroutune Misserlian presented the third portion, titled “Armenian History through Maps.” He talked about the notion of teaching through association, and Armenian School teachers focusing on instructing students on the depth of knowledge that they might not get at home or public school.

The final presentation by Matiossian, titled “Basic Knowledge on the Armenian Genocide,” provided an overarching framework on effectively teaching students about the Armenian Genocide. He noted that it is important to show students that although governments may change, the responsibility they bear regarding the past carries on. He also spoke a bit about the distinction between the historical name for the genocide (Medz Yeghern) and the legal name (Armenian Genocide).

In his closing remarks, Vassilian talked about the support ANEC promises to teachers, students, and administrators, but also of the power for change that lies in the hands of each school. ANEC cannot solve each school’s problems, he said, but can support each as they find solutions. Vassilian concluded by saying that ANEC will work towards finding ways for teachers to connect and work together, and support each other.

Over coffee and desert, ANEC members led an open discussion about the topics presented, and about concerns or other comments teachers wanted to share. A lively conversation took place around preparing the next generation of Armenian School teachers and the continued growth of the student population.

ANEC is a joint body formed through the partnership of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Relief Society. For more information, visit www.armenianprelacy.org.