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ARMENIAN EDUCATORS AND OFFICIALS EXCHANGE VISITS WITH PERKINS
Watertown TAB & Press, MA
Aug 21 2013
WATERTOWN -
Schools around the world may be out for the summer, but educators and
government officials have been hard at work strengthening relationships
that will unlock the potential of children who are blind or deafblind
in Armenia. In Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as in Yerevan,
representatives of Perkins International have been working together
with the Armenian government and educational institutions to improve
opportunities for the children they serve.
In June, 28 participants celebrated the completion of a highly
specialized program at the Armenian State Pedagogical University
in Yerevan. The series of four intensive seminars over a two-year
period was arranged by Perkins International in conjunction with
the University, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Kharberd
Specialized Children's Home and the "For You" charitable organization.
Professionals and university students from Gyumri Children's Home, Mary
Izmirlyan Children's Home, Special School #14, local inclusive schools
and Kharberd Special Children's Home enhanced their skills as teachers
of children who are visually impaired with additional disabilities.
Indicating the value placed on the collaboration, the celebration
was attended by United States Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern,
joined by Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan and
other Ministry officials, in addition to Armenia State Pedagogical
University Vice-rector Ara Yeremyan, Dr. Haratun Balasanyan from
Kharberd Specialized Children's Home and other dignitaries. Dennis
Lolli of Perkins International traveled from Watertown to Yerevan to
attend the event.
The university program not only deepens expertise, but also expands
the numbers of children who can be educated to reach their fullest
potential. Of an estimated 8,000 children with disabilities in Armenia,
approximately 1,700 are blind with additional disabilities.
In 2011, programs served no more than 75 of these children. To
reach more children in need, Perkins garnered private support and
partnered with the Armenian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and
local social homes. By the end of 2013, Perkins partners in Armenia
expect to impact more than 400 children and to double the activities
involving families.
Furthering the power of collaboration, Dr. Balasanyan accompanied Lala
Ghazaryan, Head of the Department of Family and Children's Issues,
and Senior Specialist Karine Khacatryan from the Ministry of Labor
and Social Affairs, on a trip to observe classes and teaching methods,
interact with students and share ideas with educators at Perkins School
for the Blind in Watertown in early July. Numerous professionals
from Armenia had already spent time honing their skills at Perkins
since 2005.
At a July 10 reception welcoming members of the local Armenian/American
community, Ms. Ghazarhyan told the gathering, "The government in
Armenia is doing whatever is possible for children in special
education." She acknowledged the contributions of the Armenian
diaspora. "Our successes would be difficult to achieve without
friends like you. There is lots left to do," she said, "Together,
we can do it."
Perkins President Steven Rothstein also spoke of the power of
partnership, "Here at Perkins, or in Yerevan, we have one goal. With
incredible partners like you, we can train teachers, build capacity,
provide the tools and the equipment needed to empower teachers and
parents to release the genius that exists in every child."
http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/news/x1843576959/Armenian-educators-and-officials-exchange-visits-with-Perkins
From: A. Papazian
Watertown TAB & Press, MA
Aug 21 2013
WATERTOWN -
Schools around the world may be out for the summer, but educators and
government officials have been hard at work strengthening relationships
that will unlock the potential of children who are blind or deafblind
in Armenia. In Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as in Yerevan,
representatives of Perkins International have been working together
with the Armenian government and educational institutions to improve
opportunities for the children they serve.
In June, 28 participants celebrated the completion of a highly
specialized program at the Armenian State Pedagogical University
in Yerevan. The series of four intensive seminars over a two-year
period was arranged by Perkins International in conjunction with
the University, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Kharberd
Specialized Children's Home and the "For You" charitable organization.
Professionals and university students from Gyumri Children's Home, Mary
Izmirlyan Children's Home, Special School #14, local inclusive schools
and Kharberd Special Children's Home enhanced their skills as teachers
of children who are visually impaired with additional disabilities.
Indicating the value placed on the collaboration, the celebration
was attended by United States Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern,
joined by Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan and
other Ministry officials, in addition to Armenia State Pedagogical
University Vice-rector Ara Yeremyan, Dr. Haratun Balasanyan from
Kharberd Specialized Children's Home and other dignitaries. Dennis
Lolli of Perkins International traveled from Watertown to Yerevan to
attend the event.
The university program not only deepens expertise, but also expands
the numbers of children who can be educated to reach their fullest
potential. Of an estimated 8,000 children with disabilities in Armenia,
approximately 1,700 are blind with additional disabilities.
In 2011, programs served no more than 75 of these children. To
reach more children in need, Perkins garnered private support and
partnered with the Armenian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and
local social homes. By the end of 2013, Perkins partners in Armenia
expect to impact more than 400 children and to double the activities
involving families.
Furthering the power of collaboration, Dr. Balasanyan accompanied Lala
Ghazaryan, Head of the Department of Family and Children's Issues,
and Senior Specialist Karine Khacatryan from the Ministry of Labor
and Social Affairs, on a trip to observe classes and teaching methods,
interact with students and share ideas with educators at Perkins School
for the Blind in Watertown in early July. Numerous professionals
from Armenia had already spent time honing their skills at Perkins
since 2005.
At a July 10 reception welcoming members of the local Armenian/American
community, Ms. Ghazarhyan told the gathering, "The government in
Armenia is doing whatever is possible for children in special
education." She acknowledged the contributions of the Armenian
diaspora. "Our successes would be difficult to achieve without
friends like you. There is lots left to do," she said, "Together,
we can do it."
Perkins President Steven Rothstein also spoke of the power of
partnership, "Here at Perkins, or in Yerevan, we have one goal. With
incredible partners like you, we can train teachers, build capacity,
provide the tools and the equipment needed to empower teachers and
parents to release the genius that exists in every child."
http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/news/x1843576959/Armenian-educators-and-officials-exchange-visits-with-Perkins
From: A. Papazian