ASTORIA – The Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” held a Symposium with the participation of some 130 teachers from the New York area on February 17 in the library at Saint Demetrios School in Astoria.
The main theme of the Symposium was to bring to light the various issues of concern for Greek teachers, such as wages, recognition of their work, working conditions, moving, and retirement.
At the same time, it also focused on the 100th grim anniversary of the Pontian Genocide, but also on the fact that there is no detailed reference to it in the history books at school.
“The educational goal we included was that, with my own research, I found that textbooks did not refer to the Genocide of Pontian Hellenism and the Hellenism of Asia Minor in more than 1-2 chapters. We must send a memorandum to the Ministry of Education and the Hellenic Education Office of the Archdiocese,” said Demosthenes Triantafillou, Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” President, in his opening remarks, with his proposal to be voted on later.
Keynote speaker on the Genocide of Hellenism in Asia Minor was Dr. Panos Stavrianidis, with particularly strong references during which he did not hide his emotion, garnering the applause of all those present.
Also among the speakers at the event, President of the Pan-Pontian Federation Dimitris Molochidis and former President of the Hellenic American National Council Dr. Ioannis Nathenas, who brought the icon of Panagia Soumela.
Present at the event were the Consul General of Cyprus in New York Alexis Phedonos-Vadet, the Vice President of the Federation of Educational and Cultural Organizations Dr. George Melikakis, and the Director of the Direct Archdiocesan District Education Office Athina Filippou.
The main objective of the discussion was the effort to strengthen the Fund for the Recognition and Retirement of Teachers, which has been established by Prometheus for the teachers in the Greek schools.
Triantafillou told The National Herald that the Fund can offer donations to any Greek expatriate, taking the relevant tax exemptions as well, provided that the relevant legal recognition is ensured.
“Any teacher can open an account with a first deposit of $50. I have already sent a $1,000 check in memory of my wife and 20 teachers will be enrolled. We call on expatriates to do the same,” said Triantafyllou. More information is available by phone: 551-574-2781, 201-768-0161, or 718-545-3360.
A committee consisting of parents and teachers was appointed to coordinate the trip to Greece for eighth grade students in Greek afternoon and Saturday schools to take part in a camp, either in Greece or in the Metropolis.
“I am very pleased with the results of the Symposium. We brought in new teachers. The speakers were all new. They were young, well-trained and skilled,” Triantafillou said.
Among its upcoming events, Prometheus will organize an exhibition in Greek for Greek school students on the life and work of Dr. George Papanikolaou on May 8, while a benefit dinner will be held in the same month for the Recognition and Retirement Fund for Teachers.
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