"A child is a spark, which we have to blow on to make a fire"
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/19198/a-child-is-a-spark-which-we-have-to-blow-on-to-make-a-fire.html
13:44, October 5, 2012
"A teacher is one of the first soldiers of the national army. And that
soldier doesn't have the right to turn her back or skulk. She always
has to be on the front" is how Salonik Jhangiryan, a teacher at High
School No. 1 named after Aksel Bakunts in Goris, describes the
teachers.
Jhangiryan, raised in a family of teachers, as a child dreamed of
becoming an attorney; however, as decided by her parents, she likewise
became a teacher. This successively passed on profession ties her to
the school, beginning from 1969.
"I'm not at all discontent that I became a teacher. Most importantly,
I very much loved and continue to love the children. The power keeping
a teacher at school is her love of children," says Jhangiryan.
For an honored teacher there are two professions that don't accept
mediocrity: doctors, who might physically kill a person, and teachers,
who might damage their minds and souls. "It's possible to reconstruct
a building, but if a child, and forgive me for the expression, is
moving along defectively, it's impossible to bring him back."
Jhangiryan works at a junior high school since, she says, children are
special at that age. "Children in junior high are not 'blackboards
that cannot be written on' as many seem to think. They have a unique
way of thinking; you have to be able to listen to them, understand
them, and only then guide them. A child is a spark, which we have to
blow on to make a fire. And that fire, afterwards, will warm us, her
parents, the homeland."
According to the teacher, the children gather 15 minutes early in the
morning and began the class by outlining the day. "It allows the child
to speak freely, think, and reason logically. No child in the class
has his permanent seat, except for those children who have problems
with their eyesight. In the morning, the child sits in that seat which
is vacant. The aim is to facilitate tolerance among the children. No
child is left out; all are equal - all respect, accept and listen to
each other. Perhaps this is why the children are happy to come to
class; they are never late; and there are no disagreements," says
Jhangiryan.
"If children in junior high really adopt the basic rules of behavior,
then they are rooted as part of their character. I am grateful to
fate, that I have always come across wonderful children and parents.
If a child doesn't have a learning disability, she can adopt the
program material as best as possible. And if not, then I'm to blame,
that I haven't explained it better, and the parent, who didn't the
work along with me," she says.
In honor of the 21st anniversary of Armenia's independence, the
president bestowed the highest state awards to individuals from
various sectors (education, science, art, culture, and so on). Among
those awarded are seven teachers, one of whom is Jhangiryan, who
received a medal named after Movses Khorenatsi (Moses of Chorene).
"Nothing has changed... it simply obliges you more, that your humble
work could be so highly regarded."
On the occasion of Teacher's Day, Jhangiryan wishes all teacher good
health and to be more devoted to their schools.
Anahit Baghdasaryan
Goris
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/19198/a-child-is-a-spark-which-we-have-to-blow-on-to-make-a-fire.html
13:44, October 5, 2012
"A teacher is one of the first soldiers of the national army. And that
soldier doesn't have the right to turn her back or skulk. She always
has to be on the front" is how Salonik Jhangiryan, a teacher at High
School No. 1 named after Aksel Bakunts in Goris, describes the
teachers.
Jhangiryan, raised in a family of teachers, as a child dreamed of
becoming an attorney; however, as decided by her parents, she likewise
became a teacher. This successively passed on profession ties her to
the school, beginning from 1969.
"I'm not at all discontent that I became a teacher. Most importantly,
I very much loved and continue to love the children. The power keeping
a teacher at school is her love of children," says Jhangiryan.
For an honored teacher there are two professions that don't accept
mediocrity: doctors, who might physically kill a person, and teachers,
who might damage their minds and souls. "It's possible to reconstruct
a building, but if a child, and forgive me for the expression, is
moving along defectively, it's impossible to bring him back."
Jhangiryan works at a junior high school since, she says, children are
special at that age. "Children in junior high are not 'blackboards
that cannot be written on' as many seem to think. They have a unique
way of thinking; you have to be able to listen to them, understand
them, and only then guide them. A child is a spark, which we have to
blow on to make a fire. And that fire, afterwards, will warm us, her
parents, the homeland."
According to the teacher, the children gather 15 minutes early in the
morning and began the class by outlining the day. "It allows the child
to speak freely, think, and reason logically. No child in the class
has his permanent seat, except for those children who have problems
with their eyesight. In the morning, the child sits in that seat which
is vacant. The aim is to facilitate tolerance among the children. No
child is left out; all are equal - all respect, accept and listen to
each other. Perhaps this is why the children are happy to come to
class; they are never late; and there are no disagreements," says
Jhangiryan.
"If children in junior high really adopt the basic rules of behavior,
then they are rooted as part of their character. I am grateful to
fate, that I have always come across wonderful children and parents.
If a child doesn't have a learning disability, she can adopt the
program material as best as possible. And if not, then I'm to blame,
that I haven't explained it better, and the parent, who didn't the
work along with me," she says.
In honor of the 21st anniversary of Armenia's independence, the
president bestowed the highest state awards to individuals from
various sectors (education, science, art, culture, and so on). Among
those awarded are seven teachers, one of whom is Jhangiryan, who
received a medal named after Movses Khorenatsi (Moses of Chorene).
"Nothing has changed... it simply obliges you more, that your humble
work could be so highly regarded."
On the occasion of Teacher's Day, Jhangiryan wishes all teacher good
health and to be more devoted to their schools.
Anahit Baghdasaryan
Goris