By Armenoush Magarian
Published: April 25, 2016
After coming from Iran to live in my homeland Armenia, I have always wanted to share my knowledge with Armenian students, especially in villages. That is why I joined the TeachSurfing team when it was first being founded. My sister, Miganoush Magarian is the Co-founder of TeachSurfing, and I shared her vision. I was happy to be able to have my input in implementing the goals of the organization.
Being an animator and a fashion designer, I wanted to do my TeachSurfing lesson in arts. I have always worried about my teaching skills. However, I started to work as an art teacher in Yerevan and it gave me the skills I needed. After gaining confidence in teaching, I went to the Getmej village school to hold an art class for the students.
The event was quite interactive. I started with a motivational speech using different artwork and showing the students that they don’t need to have expensive materials to paint and to show their talent. I told them about different types of paintings and most importantly, people don’t need to be perfect painters in order to start doing it.
The students were shy at the beginning of the class however, as soon as I gave them materials and some time to start thinking and painting for themselves, they became really active and fully engaged in the activity. They were sharing materials with each other and being really motivated about what they were drawing. I couldn’t even imagine that the presentation would have this kind of an impact and result. After 2 hours of drawing, the kids were happy to present their artwork and they were willing to share them with us as a memory from the day.
I am more than sure that I will do this event in other schools also, because it is an indescribable feeling that your work can change the mindset of kids to be more positive and give new colors to their routine school day.