PAN-ARMENIAN ASSOCIATION OF DIASPORA TEACHERS
The teaching of our language and culture, especially outside the homeland, has always been a matter of direct concern for Armenian educators, becoming one of the main tools for preserving national identity. In this context, the “Pan-Armenian Association of Diaspora Teachers” (PAADT) was founded, which today stands alongside Armenian teachers in the Diaspora and functions as a unifying and guiding platform.
The history of PAADT begins in 2015, when the RA Ministry of Diaspora organized the “Diaspora” Summer School, which brought together more than 300 Armenian teachers from various countries. Within the framework of the school, participants were trained in six areas:
– Accelerated teaching of the Armenian language,
– Professional development for Armenian language teachers and education specialists in the Diaspora,
– Educational courses for Diaspora journalists, song and dance teachers, choreographers, and youth leaders.
Graduates of the “Diaspora” Summer School, Azniv Paronyan from Moscow and Anna Osepian from Orenburg, united around a common idea and decided to found the “Pan-Armenian Association of Diaspora Teachers.”
The emblem of the new union was designed by Hasmik Khachatryan (Tuapse), and the name “Hayreni Tun” (“Home”) was chosen, symbolizing the warmth and unity of the Armenian family. Shortly afterward, the first closed Facebook group was created for communication and exchange of experience.
In 2018, in Krasnodar, at the initiative of Yerazik Harutyunyan, the Second All-Russian Conference of Armenian Teachers took place, attended by the majority of Armenian language teachers in Russia. After attending the conference, Anna Osepian was inspired by the unity of Armenian teachers and decided to create the Union of Armenian Language Teachers of Russia. Moreover, together with Azniv Paronyan, they created an online platform for exchanging methodology and educational materials. This stage became a preliminary step toward uniting Armenian teachers in Russia and creating a shared educational space.
Important meetings followed, including the Third All-Russian Conference of Armenian Language and Armenian Studies Teachers titled “To Learn Means to Know Armenia.” In her speech, Anna Osepian emphasized the necessity of establishing PAADT, calling on colleagues to support the initiative. Her programmatic speech, supported by Azniv Paronyan, became the foundation for the formation of PAADT.
The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly changed the ways of teaching and communication.
In 2020–2021, amid global communication restrictions, Armenian teachers of the Diaspora became more active on online platforms. The Facebook group “Union of Armenian Teachers in the Russian Federation” was created, becoming an important center for mutual support and experience exchange.
The group grew daily, welcoming teachers from different parts of the world and eventually uniting the “Hayreni Tun” and “Union of Armenian Teachers in the Russian Federation” groups.
In February, specialized groups were also created for teachers of Armenian language, literature, and other subjects. During this period, WhatsApp groups were formed as well, becoming more intensive platforms for cooperation. By uniting these groups, the “Pan-Armenian Association of Diaspora Teachers” was officially formed.
This unification and technological development led to the creation of a global network for teaching the Armenian language and culture.
As of April 1, 2025, PAADT had 24 specialized groups and more than 450 participants from various countries around the world. All this proves that the union of Armenian language teachers has become a global educational platform promoting the dissemination and development of Armenian-centered education.
The history of PAADT — from idea to global platform — reflects the strength, determination, and broad vision of the Armenian educational community. This organization not only promotes the spread of the Armenian language and culture in the Diaspora but also strengthens Armenian ideology within the educational sphere.
PAADT’s successes demonstrate that unity and systematic work can be effective in many other areas as well:
– On global online platforms,
– In professional groups and associations,
showing that new technologies and social networks can transform traditional formats in education, allowing outreach to a broader and more diverse audience.
PAADT has become not only an independent educational initiative but also an important pillar of the global Armenian community. It promotes the Armenian language, Armenian culture, and humanistic values in various countries, supports the preservation of national identity, and enhances the competitiveness and innovative character of Armenian-centered education in the international educational field.
The history of PAADT — from 2015 to the present — inspires other educational and cultural organizations, demonstrating that united and purposeful work can grow into a global movement. It proves that small nations can make great strides when empowered by unity and determination.
The Union of Armenian Teachers continues to grow and develop for the preservation of Armenian identity and the improvement of educational quality in Diaspora Armenian schools. We expect that PAADT will continue to expand, incorporating new professions, new countries, and new groups, while the dissemination of the Armenian language and culture remains its primary mission and goal.
The creation of an online newspaper about Diaspora schools is our organization’s next project, becoming a reality thanks to the selfless and diligent work of a group of creative educators. We hope the newspaper will gradually expand its geographic reach and its range of content.
Pan-Armenian Association of Diaspora Teachers
Anna Osepyan, Azniv Paronyan
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