Dr. Efthymiopoulos addresses the Greek teachers attending the Long Island seminar.
HICKSVILLE, N.Y. – The teachers who are dedicated to the children of the community and the preservation of Hellenism in America have long benefited material and moral support from the Archdiocese Department of Greek Education whose national director is Dr. Ioannis Efthymiopoulos. Holy Trinity parish in Hicksville hosted the department’s annual seminar for teachers and administrators in the Metropolitan New York area on Nov. 11.
The seminar, which this year became a national traveling seminar, focused on the latest additions to the well-received textbook series "Τα Ελληνικά Μου - My Greek." The books are published by the department.
Efthymiopoulos spoke of the importance of their mission to preserve the Greek language and heritage, and the Orthodox faith in America. He thanked Fr. Theophanis Papantonis and the Hicksville community for hosting the seminar. Parish afternoon Greek school Director Antonia Nikitopoulos offered welcoming remarks.
Speakers addressing the gathering included Stella Kokolis, president of the Federation of Hellenic-American Educators, who declared the initiation of the traveling seminar historic for the Community. Efthymiopoulos agreed, and added it was historic not only for what was presented and where, but because it is being implemented through the cooperation of the local metropolises and organized with the counsel and some financial support from groups like the Federation and Hellenic PAIDEA of America, whose president, Vasiliki Filiotis, noted that the valuable seminars inform academics of developments and innovations in their field, adding “It is important for us to work with the findings of experts.”
Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in New York and Thaleia Chatzigiannoglou, head of the Consulate’s Office of Education Affairs, praised the department’s initiatives.
Koutras offered words of inspiration and support to the educators and emphasized that “the language is what immigrants bring from Greece, and it contains everything…it is so rich and full that it contains everything the mind needs for mankind to appreciate the power of Hellenism.”
"You are the strength we need" to make the changes necessary for the promotion of Orthodoxy and Hellenism, he declared, "and to transmit our traditions to our children and their families...It's not just the language, but the things tied to it, our principles, values, traditions and the respect they foster. I urge you to devote all your energy to the cause -- as has Dr. Efthymiopoulos for decades."
Efthymiopoulos also acknowledged the dedication of Timoleon Kokkinos, who recently announced his retirement after years of service at the afternoon school of St. Demetrios in Astoria.
They can't get enough of "My Greek"
Efthymiopoulos spoke about the success of the My Greek series. "These books have become unobtainable," he said, adding, "They have been so well received that the demand is extraordinary." The first press run was sold out, as was the updated second; some books are now in their third run.
Among the series' achievements is facilitating the teaching of pronunciation quality through the device of activities integrated into grammar and vocabulary instruction.
In multiple areas, "We give the teachers the power to teach them well," he said. the series' methodology teaches language by placing lessons in the context of Greek history, culture and religion, integrating language and heritage instruction.
"Language instruction must be connected with other aspects of life...facilitating the interest of the students and knowledge retention" beyond what reading a text can accomplish, he stressed.
The Hicksville program began with a video displaying pictures from the department's most recent seminar in Cyprus, followed by a presentation by Maria Heracleou of the Pedagogical Institute of University of Cyprus titled "Experiential and Creative Teaching Methods in the Pre-K and Kindergarten textbooks the in the series "Τα Ελληνικά Μου - My Greek."
Maria Teleiopoulou, assistant to Efthimioupoulos and part of the "My Greek" writing team, spoke about teaching approaches in the new Issue 1A, Level 1 and Issue 1B, Level 1 textbooks of the My Greek series.
Yiota Papagrigoriou, who teaches at the Greek American Institute of at Zoodochos Pege Church in the Bronx, presented "Actitivities Involved int he Production of the Pronunciation Textbook 'Gino My Parrot,'" Issue3, Level 1.
The books are designed to bridge the Kindergarten and post Kindergarten experiences. Special care is taken to provide smooth transitions and strong links as the students advance.
Ioannis, Giavaras, a memeber of the writing team for My Greek, presented "Our Historical, Religious, and Cultural Heritage 'Meteora and Mistras - Near the gates of Heaven," Issue 1, Level 3 book.