
On October 19, 2024, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, presided over the Annual Professional Development Day Conference on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Translators. The traditional conference was organized by the Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools and held at Avedissian Hall of Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino. Around 500 educators from Armenian daily schools participated in this year’s conference. Mr. George Chorbajian, a member of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy and Representative to the Board of Regents, was present at the conference’s opening.
Mr. Sarkis Ourfalian, Chairman of the Board of Regents, gave the remarks on behalf of the Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools.
H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian presided over the official opening of the conference, blessed the participants with a prayer and delivered his message. In his message, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian expressed, “Filled with the love of Christ and following the vision of the Holy Translators, we welcome the educators from the Western Region of the United States to this conference, who are committed to our mission of national education.” Archbishop Khacherian commended the remarkable and inspiring gathering as a powerful demonstration of the strength of the Western Region and a confirmation of the importance this region places on the national education of the youth, a source of pride for the Armenian community.
H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian addressed the large crowd of educators by emphasizing the important role they play in shaping the hearts and minds of present and future generations. The Prelate stated “Dear educators, teachers, and staff, the gathering today is a special reminder that the responsibility of shaping the hearts and minds of both current and future generations is in your hands. Our conscious parents have entrusted their children’s Armenian education to our schools and to you as educators, it is important to sow the seeds for the future generations. You are the educators who will shape the Armenian-Christian generations of tomorrow.” H.E. Archbishop Khacherian ended his message by expressing, “May you and your work be blessed.”
The one-day Annual Professional Development Day Conference included exchanging of experiences, educational sessions, and workshops presented by experts in their respective fields.