Fresno, California – [May 6, 2024]
The Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Fresno (AGCC) proudly announces its recent educational outreach efforts with the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) in conjunction with the Genocide Education Project. The purpose of these efforts was to advance genocide awareness and the teaching of genocide for educators and students in the Fresno community.
From April 2 to April 4, the AGCC and the Genocide Education Project facilitated a series of educational workshops tailored for social studies and English Language Arts teachers from grades 3 to 12. These workshops served as vital platforms for teachers to deepen their understanding of Armenian history, culture, and the events of the Armenian Genocide, providing insight on the historical factors and contextual elements. The workshops engaged the teachers by incorporating personal stories, local connections, and art, offering ideas for how teachers could transfer the knowledge to their students.
Each workshop was designed to meet the diverse needs of educators across grade levels. On April 2 and April 4, sessions were tailored for teachers from grades 7 to 12, where topics of resistance, agency, and empowerment were discussed. April 3 was dedicated to teachers from grades 3 to 6, and focused more on exploring the Armenian culture and history with a “Bird Letters” Letter Art lesson-activity. This lesson introduces students to the Armenian culture through the Armenian alphabet and examples of illuminated manuscripts. The material delivered to the teachers was designed to be age-appropriate and relevant to state standards. Participants of the workshop were provided with the necessary resources to effectively integrate Armenian Genocide education into their curriculum.
Across the span of three workshop days, over 25 educators from FUSD participated and deepened their knowledge in Armenian history. “Workshops such as these empower educators to navigate the topic of the Genocide with depth and accuracy. By transferring this knowledge to their students, they activate a ripple effect that helps shape students to be empathetic and informed global citizens,” stated AGCC, Fresno Chairperson Marine Vardanyan Peters.
The Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Fresno looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Fresno Unified School District and the Genocide Education Project in its ongoing mission to promote genocide awareness and education.
For more information about the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Fresno, please visit agcfresno.com or email at agccfresno@gmail.com.
