NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—The Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools held its 2016-2017 Annual Professional Development Day (APDD) conference on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
This year’s APDD was once again organized in cooperation with the university’s Armenian Studies Program. Alongside the Prelacy Armenian Schools and Preschools, the conference also included teachers and faculty from Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School, Armenian Sisters Academy, Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School of Fresno and Armenian Relief Society Saturday Schools, bringing the number of participants to over 400.
Dr. Hasmig Baran, Board of Regents member, welcomed all the participants and invited Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, to deliver the invocation.
Archbishop Mardirossian addressed the attendees by emphasizing that continuing education is vital in any profession, but even more so in the teaching profession, as teachers can have a tremendous and lasting influence in the life of a child. Archbishop Mardirossian concluded his remarks by stating, “Teachers are indeed one of the most valuable facets of society. You are imparting knowledge and wisdom upon our youth in their most impressionable years. You are shaping not only their young minds, but also their hearts and souls. What they learn from you can have a profound impact on them for the rest of their lives. Thus, an investment in our youth is an investment in our future, and a good teacher brings value not only to each an individual child, but to society as a whole.â€
