Educational Values
For those growing up in the United States as Armenians, it is important to instill cultural values and educate younger generations about the past and present and prepare them. Below, Ms. Silva Mesrobian discusses her perspective teaching young Armenian students as the Head of Armenian Studies at an Armenian school.
Preserve Your Heritage with Learn About Armenia -- Emma's Gold Award Project
How have recent events impacting armenians affected your profession and/or your life?
"As diasporan Armenians, we have always felt that our motherland has been what unifies and connects us all. We have always dreamed of a free, independent and strong Armenia. The latest political developments and current affairs in Armenia have been very difficult to witness, and almost unbelievable to us as diasporans. We cannot fathom the reality of the current situation in Artsakh, and what it means to lose the historic lands we have fought so hard for over centuries. These circumstances have made my job as an Armenian educator very difficult, since regretfully I must be the one to explain to our students what is happening in Artsakh and Armenia."
Preserve Your Heritage with Learn About Armenia -- Emma's Gold Award Project
how has the armenian genocide influenced your teaching?
"The Armenian Genocide has greatly impacted me not only as an Armenian, but also as an educator. My grandmother and grandfather survived the Genocide and recounted their survival stories to me. Those vivid words have echoed in my mind and have been a spark that has ignited a fire in me as an Armenian who demands justice and reparations for all Armenians. Although the students I teach are very young, I am driven to instill in them a special connection to Armenia, and a love of their culture and language. I teach my students that their ancestral roots come from Western Armenia, and to find their respective villages and towns on a map of historic Armenia. I also believe that the details of the Armenian Genocide should be taught to more mature students, such as 5th grade and older, when students can truly grasp the events that took place in 1915."
Preserve Your Heritage with Learn About Armenia -- Emma's Gold Award Project
what do you think are the most important concepts that should be taught to young armenian students?
"In my opinion, the Armenian language, history, and culture are very important to teach our youth, as they are our future as Armenians. To know and love the language and culture gives students the opportunity to become curious about the history of our people and the various paths taken to get us to where we are now. Of course it is important to mention our faith and religion, as Christianity has been a constant theme in many historic Armenian events and battles. For centuries we have fought for our faith, culture, language, and existence as a people. Now we fight to educate our youth, and instill in them the unity and spirit that has kept us tethered together as people and connects us to our homeland."
