“Teacher of the Year” Awards Ceremony
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin- Armenian Apostolic Church
On October 22, 2009, the “Teacher of the Year” awards ceremony was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Attending the event were Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See and Mr. Armen Ashotian, Republic of Armenia Minister of Science and Education. It is the 8th year that the competition has been held under the auspices of the Mother See.
Teachers compete in the subjects of: “Armenian Language and Literature”, “Armenian History”, “History of the Armenian Church” and “Natural Sciences”. They are judged on their ability to endow students with a deep knowledge of the subjects, and graded on their creative teaching skills. The goal of the contest is to acknowledge and encourage teachers.
The competition was held through the sponsorship of sisters Sylva and Irma Der Stepanian of the USA, benefactors of the Mother See.
The ceremony was opened with the Lord’s Prayer following by opening remarks from Rev. Fr. Vardan Navasardian, Director of the Christian Education Department of the Mother See. Welcoming the guests, Father Vardan reflected on the image and character of teachers, and their mission in the Armenian public schools. Father Vardan expressed his joy for the vision that has been accomplished by His Holiness, to have public schools based on national and moral values with the spirit of patriotism and to acknowledge the significant role of the teacher in accomplishing those standards.
Mrs. Narine Hovhannisian, Head of the Department of Secondary Education at the Ministry of Culture and Education spoke on the criteria of the competition and announced that 300 teachers took part, with 41 of them reaching the final stage. Following her remarks, Mr. Armen Ashotian, RA Minister of Science and Education offered his congratulations to the winners. In his remarks, Minister Ashotian stressed the importance of education, reflecting on the close cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the ministry and their jointly implemented programs. “In modernizing education and meeting today’s needs we must not forget that for such countries and nations like ours, the first challenge is the preservation of the national identity and the spiritual and cultural education. That unique mission is implemented by the Armenian Apostolic Church as upheld by our Constitution. For decades the Armenian Church has been the savior and protector of Armenian education”, – Minister Ashotian mentioned in part.
His Grace Bishop Anushavan Jamkochian, Dean of the Yerevan State University Theological Faculty and Mr. Armen Ashotian, RA Minister of Science and Education presented the awards, a cash prize and religious publications to the teachers.
First place was awarded to Ms. Astghik Khachatrian, teacher of “The History of the Armenian Church” at School #11 in Gyumri; Ms. Margarita Khachatrian, teacher of Armenian language and literature at School #5 in Vanadzor; Ms. Hasmik Ghaplanian, teacher of Armenian history at School #2 in Vagharshapat; and Mr. Anahit Gevorgian, teacher of Biology at School # 11 school in Hrazdan. Second place prizes were awarded to 8 teachers, third place to to 11 teachers and 16 assistant teachers were given special recognition.
Many of the teachers spoke, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. At the conclusion of the ceremony His Grace Bishop Sahak Mashalian, Dean of Gevorkian Theological Seminary extended blessings and appreciation on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. “May the work of the teacher be blessed as the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. For He was the “Vardapet” – the Teacher. Therefore may the work of the teacher be blessed, who oversees the development of a child. Education will save the world”,- stated His Grace encouraging the teachers to continue their service and sow the seeds of education vigilantly, so that Armenia and the Diaspora be flooded with the light of Armenian culture, literature and God’s blessings.
Following the ceremony the women’s choir of the Geghard Monastery, conducted by Anahit Papayan, presented a musical program of spiritual and national songs.
