NEW YORK – Three-hundred teachers and school administrators participated today Nov. 5, 2013 in the annual Staff Development Seminar of the Direct Archdiocesan District held at the High School of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, NY.

Al Martino, director of Foreign Languages and the ESL Program at SUNY, Albany making his presentation to a captive audience. (photo GOA)

The very encouraging participation of educators serving in the parochial day and the afternoon/Saturday Greek schools of the District along with the very well structured and informative workshops and presentations made this seminar a resounding success.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, who attended the seminar, gave his blessing to the participants and praised them for their untiring work and devotion to the noble vocation of teaching.

The presentation on fun ways and methods of teaching a foreign language by Mr. Al Martino, director of Foreign Languages and the ESL Program at SUNY, Albany, was particularly interesting,  informative and captivating.

Dr. Ron Valenti presented the keynote address on “Leadership: Making the Home-School Connection.” Presentations were also made by distinguished educators such as Mrs. Vivian Selenikas, principal of the Long Island City High School in Queens, NY., Dr. George Papanastasiou, director of the Institute of Modern Greek Studies of the University of Thessaloniki, and his colleague, Prof. Panagiotis Andreou. The Curriculum, which is currently being developed by Prof. Andreou in collaboration with the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education, has been deemed essential for the awarding of credits to the students who pass the Modern Greek Comprehensive Examination. Prof. Andreou spoke on the topic “The Pronunciation in the Language Classroom:  Issues of teaching and learning.”

Archbishop Demetrios of America addressed all the participants during the luncheon, in the Petros Patrides Cultural Center of St. Demetrios Cathedral (photo GOA)