PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
Contact: Karine Abalyan
E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

October 7, 2009

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AT ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM FOR ARMENIAN SCHOOL TEACHERS, PARTICIPANTS DISCUSS
TIES BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND FAITH

At the annual Symposium for Armenian Teachers at the Diocesan Center
last month, educators heard presentations from a scholar of Armenian
Studies and a veteran teacher on the ties between the Armenian
language and faith, and focused on ways they could help students
identify these connections in the classroom.

More than 70 participants representing 10 Diocesan Armenian schools in
New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts attended the event on
Saturday, September 12. The day’s program was organized by the
Diocese’s Armenian Studies coordinator Gilda Kupelian.

Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary, spoke to educators about the origin of the Armenian
alphabet and its close relationship with Christianity.

In addition to making it possible to translate the Bible into
Armenian, the alphabet helped embed Christian terms in the Armenian
language by associating certain letters with words like `God’ and
`Christ.’

For example, Professor Ervine noted that the first letter of the
alphabet – `Ô±’ (Ayb) – is linked to the word `Asdvadz,’ or `God.’
Meanwhile the letter `Õ” (Keh) – originally the last letter of the
Armenian alphabet – represents the cross and is associated with
`Kristos,’ or `Christ.’

Hovsep Melkonian, who has served as the principal of Hamasdegh
Armenian Language School in Bethesda, MD, spoke about a teaching model
he developed which scheduled Armenian and Sunday School classes on the
same day.

Quoting Mkhitar of Sepastia’s saying, `I do not sacrifice my nation
for my faith, nor my faith for my nation,’ Mr. Melkonian explained how
the model helped students make connections between Armenian language,
religion, and culture.

Mr. Melkonian also spoke about challenges Armenian Schools face in the
diaspora and asked teachers to think about the mission of Armenian
language programs. He stressed the importance of evaluating teachers’
work, recognizing dedicated educators, and organizing public
performances and other activities to exhibit student work and motivate
students.

Gilda Kupelian, the Diocese’s Armenian Studies coordinator, introduced
the Armenian Alphabet Writing and Coloring Book and accompanying
flashcards, which were recently released by the Department of Youth
and Education. The resources help young students reinforce the
Armenian alphabet, basic vocabulary, and writing skills.

In addition, she highlighted the Arevig software, produced by the
Gulbenkian Foundation in Portugal, and its companion English guidebook
and lesson plans, developed by Kupelian.

Also during the symposium, teachers reviewed recommendations issued at
the Clergy Conference last spring, which encourage the establishment
of programs for students of non-Armenian speaking families, summer
classes, and the increased use of technological resources in the
classroom.

Reviewing the `Armenian Schools Survey,’ which was completed by all
Diocesan Armenian Schools in the 2008-09 academic year, educators
noted the suggestions to hold regional workshops for teachers, foster
parental involvement in Armenian language instruction, improve
students’ knowledge of Armenian culture, and introduce updated
textbooks.

`We have already taken steps to propagate cultural literacy and are
working incessantly to do the same for language learning in our
existing programs, as well as for our new initiatives,’ said
Kupelian. `Our guest lecturers inspired us with their erudition and it
is always gratifying to witness the continued commitment of the
Armenian language teachers and principals.’

The day also featured an award ceremony. Lucy Martayan of Holy Martyrs
Saturday School in Bayside, NY, was honored for 52 years of service;
and Nectar Munro of St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian School in
White Plains, NY, and Araxi Shamamian of St. Vartan Cathedral Armenian
School in New York, NY, were honored for 25 years of service.

For 10 years of service, the following individuals were presented with
a bust of writer and poet Khachatur Abovyan: Dr. Levon Capan of
Kirikian Armenian School in Tenafly, NJ; Mayreni Jermen Hallajian of
the Shnorhali School in Washington, D.C.; Maro Partamian and Vartan
Garniki of the Khrimian Lyceum in New York, NY; Kayaneh Haroutounian
of Soorp Kevork Armenian School in Houston, TX; and Svetlana
Amirkhanian, Marina Bagdasarova, Angela Kazarian, and Yuriy Tsaturyan
of St.Gregory the Illuminator Armenian School of Brooklyn, NY. The
busts were crafted in Armenia on the occasion of the 200th anniversary
of Abovyan’s birth

In addition, all participants received signed Bibles from Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern).

`The workshop was helpful. I really enjoyed it,’ said Anna Asatrian, a
teacher at St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian School in White
Plains, NY.

`We were very impressed by the lectures,’ added Marie Yacoubian of
Holy Martyrs Saturday School in Bayside, NY. `They were constructive
and innovative.’

###

Photos attached.

Photo 1: Lucy Martayan of Holy Martyrs Saturday School in Bayside, NY,
was honored for 52 years of service at the Symposium for Armenian
Teachers held at the Diocesan Center last month.

Photo 2: For 10 years of service, educators were presented with a bust
of writer and poet Khachatur Abovyan at the Symposium for Armenian
Teachers held at the Diocesan Center last month.

Photo 3: Participants pose for a group photo at the Symposium for
Armenian Teachers held at the Diocesan Center last month.

Photo 4: Hovsep Melkonian, who has served as the principal of
Hamasdegh Armenian Language School in Bethesda, MD, spoke about a
teaching model he developed which scheduled Armenian and Sunday School
classes on the same day.

Photo 5: Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of Armenian Studies at St.
Nersess Armenian Seminary, spoke to educators about the origin of the
Armenian alphabet and its close relationship with Christianity.

Photo 6: Nectar Munro of St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian School
in White Plains, NY, and Araxi Shamamian of St. Vartan Cathedral
Armenian School in New York, NY, were honored for 25 years of service
at the Symposium for Armenian Teachers held at the Diocesan Center
last month.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress