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 contry 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 concentrated within a few square kilometers of the capital’s city center. Across Armenia and occupied Artsakh, villages are dwindling due to a lack of opportunity. However, we believe that transformation is possible, and our students will lead the way.
VISION
We are working toward an Armenia where every child, including those from Artsakh, can access quality education and realize their full potential, regardless of their background or the challenges they face.
MISSION
Through a National Teaching Service Program, we are cultivating a movement of leaders committed to ensuring that all children in Armenia, including those from Artsakh, have access to quality education and help drive systemic transformation across the education system.
Our Vision 2050:
Education Transforms a Nation
Armenia faces stark disparities – rural communities left behind, talents untapped, and a generation that has survived crisis after crisis. Our vision is to turn this reality on its head. By 2050, we envision an Armenia (and Artsakh) where every child – no matter their village or socioeconomic status – unlocks their full potential and leads a life of choice. Classrooms in border villages will be as empowered and innovative as those in Yerevan. Education will be the great equalizer that fuels Armenia’s growth. We refuse to settle for “good enough.”
Our Mission is to catalyze a nationwide movement of impact-driven leaders expanding educational opportunity to all children. This means recruiting and developing top talent to serve where they’re needed most, and equipping them to become lifelong changemakers. It means cultivating students to become leaders in their own right – innovators, entrepreneurs, community-builders. It means tackling system failures head-on through policy and innovation. In short, Teach For Armenia’s programs are creating an entire generation of leaders who will ensure that by the time today’s children turn 25, they will have transformed the nation.
We are uncompromising in pursuit of this mission. Our commitment is nationwide and long-term: we are here to revolutionize Armenia’s public education system so that it empowers children to shape their own communities and country. We believe educational justice is the foundation for a thriving Armenia. This isn’t a feel-good project – it’s a strategic imperative for our country’s future. And we are all in.
STUDENT VISION
AT TEACH FOR ARMENIA, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION THAT IS:
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 and occupied Artsakh.
AGILE FOR THE
FUTURE
We aim to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The current reality is that students across Armenia and occupied Artsakh 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. By the time our Student-Ambassadors are 25 years old…
LEAD SELF:
They will be self-actualized and emotionally intelligent leaders who will think critically about the world around them and take action to build a better future.
LEAD OTHERS:
They will become advocates for educational justice within their communities. They will become active citizens, embodying pride in the history and culture of their regions. By enhancing opportunities for future generations, our students will drive transformation across Armenia.
LEAD SYSTEMS:
They will be locally-rooted and globally-informed, contributing to the system-wide development of Armenia and our position in the global economy.
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 PRACTICE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY ACROSS ARMENIA AND OCCUPIED ARTSAKH STAY CONNECTED TO GLOBAL TRENDS TO SOLVE LOCAL ISSUES
By promoting local ingenuity, our students feel proud of the gifts that their communities have to offer.
By promoting civic responsibility, our students will galvanize Armenia's shift towards democracy.
By promoting global connectivity, our students will be prepared to shape Armenia in a rapidly changing world.
CORE VALUES
INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE
In order to achieve system-wide transformation and unlock the nation’s potential through education, we must hold ourselves to the highest of global standards while innovating locally.
RESOLVE & PERSEVERANCE
To achieve system-wide transformation, we must dare to dream big with a deep sense of possibility in our collective potential while setting audacious goals and overcoming obstacles through dedication and commitment.
COMPASSION & COMMUNITY
We approach others with compassion, practice deep listening, demonstrate emotional intelligence, and co-create a better future with our community through collective leadership.
LEARNING & GROWTH
We commit to continuous improvement and lifelong learning through rigorous cycles of introspection, reflection, research, and analysis in order to unleash our fullest potential.
INTEGRITY & HUMILITY
We recognize our own limitations, admit fault, learn from mistakes, seek to leverage the strengths of those around us, commit to overcoming obstacles, and always endeavor to do the right thing.
