PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

August 18, 2006
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DIOCESE’S TEACHER’S CONFERENCE PROVIDES TIPS, TOOLS TO PARISH ARMENIAN
EDUCATORS

By Jake Goshert

They talked about the philosophy of teaching the Armenian language and
culture. They discussed ways to effectively plan a classroom lesson, how to
address differentiating instruction, acculturation, teacher attitude, and
second language learning. The goal was to give the Armenian School teachers
the tips and tools needed to propel our heritage into the new century.

Through the Teacher’s Conference, a week of daylong sessions at the Diocesan
Center in New York City, 14 Armenian School educators from parishes
throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) were
exposed to a variety of pedagogical strategies.

"I thank these educators, versed in curricular and teaching philosophies and
methods, who enriched and improved our knowledge and teaching styles," said
Aida Asdghig Sarkissian, a teacher at the St. James Church of Watertown, MA.
"They reviewed important concepts and focused on valuable tools and methods
for more effective teaching. It gave us the inspiration and renewed courage
to face the coming year with greater zeal and imagination."

The weeklong conference began July 16. There was no cost to participants,
allowing interested parishes of all sizes to send educators.

SERIES OF EXPERTS

The daily sessions of the Teacher’s Conference featured experts from schools
such as Columbia University, Hunter College of New York City, and St.
Peter’s College of Jersey City, NJ.

They spoke on a variety of topics, including: the connection between the
classroom and home environment, preparing effective lesson plans, how to
teach Armenian as a second language, and how to maintain a disciplined
classroom. The teachers also were introduced to in-depth discussions of
some of the most important aspects of Armenian history, culture, music, and
arts.

"The great thing about our parish schools is this: Not only do we have good
teachers who are committed to their work, but they’re also very open-minded
and eager to improve their skills," said Gilda Buchakjian, the Diocese’s
coordinator of the Armenian studies who organized the conference. "With
this program, we tried to have speakers and topics that would address
concerns raised by our local parish educators. If we can provide them tools
to improve their performance, we can further propel our Armenian culture
into the next generation."

Many of the teachers were eager to use what they learned in New York when
they returned home.

"I was inspired by this week. I learned a lot about my heritage, which I
want to teach back to my students," said Shake Potoukian, a teacher at the
St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL. "All the guest speakers were very
helpful and I learned more than I could have imagined."

Following the week of lessons, the teachers then had to take to the floor,
giving presentations to their peers on any of the topics included in the
week. It was a way for them to highlight the important points and reflect
on all that they had studied. A graduation ceremony followed a badarak
celebrated by Fr. Mardiros Chevian at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral.

PASSING ON CULTURE

The goal of this and other Diocesan programs is to advance the understanding
and appreciation of our unique Armenian heritage among future generations.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, met with the
participating educators. He told them he appreciated their desire to
enhance their understanding of the Armenian culture, and he praised them for
giving their time and talent to educate others.

"Transmitting our spiritual, national, and cultural heritage does not occur
mechanically," he said. "As teachers, you are the ones who will put the
spirit into the minds and hearts of a new generation. You will bring life to
our language, our faith, our history, and our traditions."

The Teacher’s Conference is a program offered every other year at the
Diocesan Center, though teacher training is done constantly on a regional
basis.

"This week was an immersion in language, history, religion — all things
Armenian," said Janet Ozsolak, a teacher at the St. Gregory the Enlightener
Church of White Plains, NY. "I’m going home informed and inspired."

— 8/18/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): From left, Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of
Armenian studies for the Eastern Diocese, Professor Seta Dadoyan, and Dr.
Sograd Boyajian, two of the speakers at the Diocese’s Teacher’s Conference,
joined by the participants from parishes around the Diocese.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Hovsep Melkonian from Washington D.C., speaks on the
combined Armenian and Sunday School prototype during the Teacher’s
Conference, which ran the week of July 16, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dr. Mary Shamshoian-Olson from Racine, WI, discusses
research-based strategies for teachers during the Teacher’s Conference
hosted at the New York City Diocesan Center.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): One of the speakers at the Eastern Diocesan Teacher’s
Conference, Harout Misserlian, proposes the foundational basics of Armenian
history instruction.

PHOTO CAPTION (5): Author Lucine Kasbarian (center) signs autographs for
local Armenian School teachers after speaking on the role of schools and the
community to safeguard Armenian identity during the 2006 Teacher’s
Conference.

PHOTO CAPTION (6): Hovhannes Khosdeghian delivers a workshop on "Effective
Lesson Plans and Subject Organization in Teaching Armenian Language and
Culture" to parish Armenian School teachers during the Eastern Diocese’s
Teacher’s Conference in New York City.

PHOTO CAPTION (7): Veteran educator and motivational speaker Dottie
Bengoian, speaks about teacher attitude during the Eastern Diocese’s
Teacher’s Conference for local Armenian School educators, which was held in
New York City the week of July 16, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (8): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, flanked by Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, Diocesan coordinator of
Armenian studies, and participants at the Diocese’s Teacher’s Conference for
local Armenian School educators. Topics discussed at the week-long
conference included: Philosophy of Armenian education, Armenian literacy for
second language learners, acculturation, discipline, identity,
differentiating instruction, feasts and traditions, instruction through the
arts and music and lesson planning.

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