TEACH FOR ARMENIA’S KOCHARI

Our movement for educational justice  is like the kochari. Communities across Armenia have their own special dances, yet each kochari shares similar movements. Each kochari emphasizes the importance of building community by moving together in unison. With hands linked, we move together to signify that we are united in our cultural heritage. Similarly, Teach For Armenia’s Kochari is a collection of unifying concepts that help to synchronize our collective movement. In short, our efforts across the country reflect the uniqueness of each community while revolving around a shared vision.

THE PROBLEM AS WE SEE IT…

Over half of Armenia’s population is now concentrated around Yerevan, and the majority of the nation’s wealth is centered  within a few square kilometers of the capital’s city center. Across Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh: 2017-2023), villages are dwindling due to a lack of opportunity. However, we believe that transformation is possible, and our students will lead the way.

OUR 2050 PROMISE

AT TEACH FOR ARMENIA, WE AIM TO TRANSFORM THE NATION THROUGH EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE BY ENSURING THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND MINDSETS TO BE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

HERE IS OUR PROMISE TO A CHILD BORN INTO ONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES TODAY:

By the time you are 25 years old, the nation will be transformed because of YOU.

You will be equipped to tackle local problems using global solutions. Your commitment to civic responsibility will galvanize a movement for educational justice. The pride that you have for your community will spark local ingenuity. The Armenia that you will know as an adult will be radically different from the Armenia that we know today, because of your leadership, and the leadership of your peers, parents, teachers, and mentors.

To achieve this, Teach For Armenia trains its Teacher-Leaders (i.e. participants in our two-year Teacher Leadership Program) to leverage Change-Based Learning with their students.

STUDENT VISION

HONORING OF THE PAST

We aim to provide an education that is culturally affirming of Armenia’s history, locally contextualized, & tied to our communities to community innovation.

ADAPTIVE TO THE PRESENT

We aim to elevate the voices of our students & cultivate leadership so that our students can navigate the changing dynamics within Armenia.

The current reality is that students across the country do not have access to an excellent education, and opportunities in rural communities are limited. Teach For Armenia’s Student Vision aims to change that.

CORE VALUES

Innovation: We reject the status quo. We back bold ideas that challenge outdated systems and push education forward.

Collective Action: We don’t go it alone. We build coalitions that cross divides and get results—together.

Justice: We call out inequity and build systems that work—for every learner, everywhere.

Leadership: We grow professionals who drive large-scale change—in classrooms, schools, in policy.

Rootedness: We lead with love for Armenia. Education is our path to identity, resilience, and national strength.

Agency: We equip people to act—right now, right where they are. Ownership beats waiting.

Excellence: We set the bar high. Strategy, outcomes, and accountability aren’t optional—they’re how we win

AGILE FOR THE FUTURE

We aim to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

COMMUNITY INNOVATION PHILOSOPHY

WE ENVISION AN ARMENIA WHERE OPPORTUNITY IS DISTRIBUTED EQUITABLY ACROSS THE NATION. AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE BELIEVE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE FULL OF INFINITE POSSIBILITIES, AND OUR STUDENTS HAVE THE POWER TO UNLOCK THAT POTENTIAL.

In order to realize our Student Vision and system-wide transformation, we must also target community innovation for the purpose of delivering an excellent education to ALL students. For that reason, we believe it is important to teach our students to:

  • IMAGINE INFINITE POSSIBILITIES TO SPARK LOCAL INGENUITY
    By promoting local ingenuity, our students feel proud of the gifts that their communities have to offer.

  • PRACTICE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY
    By promoting civic responsibility, our students will learn valuable leadership skills.

  • STAY CONNECTED TO GLOBAL TRENDS TO SOLVE LOCAL ISSUES
    By promoting global connectivity, our students will be prepared to shape Armenia and Artsakh in a rapidly changing world.