CARROLLTON, Texas—Fifty-six Texas secondary school teachers participated in a day-long professional development workshop in February titled “Seeing the Humanity in Each of Us: Lessons from the Armenian Genocide.” The workshop, held in-person and online, was made possible through a grant from the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Anti-Semitism Advisory Council (THGAAC) and hosted by St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Carrollton, Texas.
Kerry Flynn, director of education at the Genocide Education Project (GenEd), led the workshop and discussed the difficult topics of genocide and the Armenian incident, and the appropriate ways to teach about the history of the Armenian genocide, its long-term denial and history. Provided guidance on classroom pedagogy. Its current effect.
Shevan Basmajian, a leader in the Texas Armenian American community, organized the event on behalf of the St. Sarkis School Board and THGAAC Grant Program Manager. Mr. Basmajian has been a liaison for the Genocide Education Project for many years, and he has partnered with GenEd on Armenian genocide education efforts throughout Texas.
A Texas educator said:
“I didn’t know much about the Armenian Genocide or Armenian history, but I am so grateful for this opportunity and the knowledge I gained from this experience. Thank you for your generosity and for inspiring me to share this with my students.” Thank you for that.”
“I am working on a genocide project that uses the original 8 stages of genocide as a template. Thanks to this workshop, I have developed the updated 10 stages and how to better use the stages as a tool for teaching about genocide. We were able to get some new ideas on how to incorporate it.”
“I come from a strong humanities background, and I am often surprised and disappointed by how few of the adults I talk to know about history, geography, or culture. I try to improve this problem in any way I can, like teaching lifelong learning classes and visiting book clubs.”
“This is my first year teaching genocide studies, but the Armenian Genocide is the last study we will study. I feel more prepared for the lessons.”
GenEd at the California Social Studies Council 2024 Conference
GenEd Teacher Fellow Cynthia Martinez led a session at the CA Social Studies Council Annual Conference held March 8-10, 2024 in Orange Grove. She introduced GenEd's new 10-lesson flexible curriculum unit. “The Armenian Genocide: Resistance, Agency, and Empowerment.”
Upcoming workshops hosted by GenEd and GenEd Teacher Fellows
April 2nd & 4th, 4:30pm-6:00pm, Fresno, California
“Resistance”: A two-part afternoon workshop introducing GenEd's new flexible units. “Resistance, agency, empowerment” (FUSD social studies and English teachers, grades 7-12, contact: Michelle Orerup; Michelle.Orelup@fresnounified.org)
April 3, 4:30-6:00pm, Fresno, California
“Bird Letter”: Afternoon workshop introducing GenEd's “Bird Letters” lesson activity on Armenian identity and post-genocide cultural preservation. (For FUSD teachers, grades 3 and up, contact: Michelle Orelup, Michelle.Orelup@fresnounified.org)
April 9th, 4-6pm PT, online via Zoom
“Voices of Resilience: Understanding the Genocide through Indigenous and Armenian Stories.”: Join GenEd and Redbud Resource Group for an afternoon of learning and exploring the resilience of indigenous peoples and Armenians in the face of genocide.
April 10th, 9am-2:30pm, Danvers, MA
“Genocide then and now: Armenian Genocide and Holocaust”: GenEd Teacher Fellows Justin Bilton and Jason Stark present current research and best practices for teaching comparative genocide studies. Please apply by Monday, April 1st.
April 27, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
This full-day seminar, led by GenEd Teacher Fellow George Darbo, will help teachers meet the genocide education requirements of Section 30 of the Wisconsin State Law and connect the Armenian Genocide, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the interconnectedness of Wisconsin's Armenian community. explore the history of Click here for details.
May 3rd, Macomb, Michigan: Michigan Social Studies Council,
“Forget Me Not: Armenia”: This workshop helps educators understand how events in Armenia's past impact Armenians around the world today. Topics include self-determination, territorial integrity, the role of the international community, and Armenian and American youth.
May 7, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., University of Michigan.Ann Arbor, Michigan
“Teaching about genocide around the world”: Sessions will include experts from UM's International Institute, a panel on education about genocide, reviews of selected educational resources, and planning, collaboration, and reflection with colleagues and experts. GenEd Teacher Fellow Amy Perkins will introduce the Armenian Genocide, and GenEd Teacher Fellow Jen Sepetis will introduce the Cambodian Genocide.
June 4-6, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
Summer Institute on the Holocaust: Kerri Flynn, GenEd Education Director, shares research-based strategies for teaching the difficult history of the Armenian Genocide and its connection to the Holocaust, as well as introduces new materials from GenEd.
June 13-14, Cleveland, Ohio
GenEd Teaching Fellow Misty Ebinger will lead this two-day workshop on the Armenian Genocide at St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church. Details will be announced later..
June 23-26, Los Angeles, California
We are currently accepting applications for participation. California Teachers Cooperative Summer Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Research, which not only connects middle school and high school teachers with experts in the field, but also provides tools to fight hate and implement innovative curriculum. GenEd will lead a new flexible 10-lesson unit session. “Resistance, agency, and empowerment.”
June 24-28 Columbia, South Carolina, Holocaust Council
“Basics of Holocaust Education”: GenEd Teacher Fellow Christy Ugland will lead the first session of the summer institute, drawing important interconnections and parallels between the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust.
July 15th, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Northampton, MA
“Humanizing the history of genocide in the classroom”: GenEd Teaching Fellow Kate Toduhunter leads this day-long workshop on genocide education, covering the Armenian genocide by the Ottoman Turks during World War I, the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia, and the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994. It focuses on lesser-known genocides, such as those against ethnic groups. , and explores the legacy of colonization in the United States.