Teni Apelian, First-Grade Armenian Teacher
Teni Apelian is an Armenian American committed to reimagining Western Armenian education through multimodal, immersive learning experiences. She holds a BA in Professional Writing and an MA in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University but it is her work with the Armenian a cappella trio, Zulal, that sparked a deep interest in the Armenian language that has shaped her career for over two decades. She is an educational collaborator for the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and an integral team member of Zarmanazan, the international Armenian language summer program. Teni specializes in arts-based pedagogy for language revitalization and believes that joyful learning thrives in responsive, child-centered experiences. Her Armenian educational journey includes attending the Armenian Sisters Academy in Philadelphia, participating in AGBU’s AVC programs, and completing INALCO’s Teaching Western Armenian in the Diaspora program. Teni is excited to join SSAES this academic year as the first-grade Armenian teacher.
Maro Arakelian, N-5 Music Teacher/Assistant Treasurer
Maro Arakelian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts from the University of Tehran, as well as a post-graduate certificate in graphic design with an emphasis on Armenian ornaments from the Yerevan Institute of Fine Arts. She received her musical education at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia, with a major in piano performance. Maro has 15 years of experience in private piano instruction and has taught courses on Armenian music history at the Adult Education Program of the Armenian Prelacy in Tehran, Iran. After settling in the United States, Maro completed a certificate program in pedagogy at Longy School of Music / Bard College in Cambridge, MA, and is a certified Kindermusik (early childhood music education) instructor. In 2004, Maro developed the “Tap & Clap” and “Manoug & Me” program and since 2016, she has served as the Music Teacher for K-5 students at SSAES. Aside from her musical instruction and talents, Maro serves as our Assistant Treasurer.
Nairy Arakelian, Third Grade Teacher
Nairy Arakelian grew up in Nigeria and pursued her passion for teaching by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon. Nairy has 17 years of experience as an early childhood and elementary educator and will serve as instructional support and admin staff, through the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Beginning in September 2025, Nairy will be the third-grade classroom teacher. Recently moved to the Boston area with her husband and two children, Nairy has a love for music and dancing and is always excited to dive into a new project. Although not the biggest fan of winter, Nairy’s sunny disposition shines a light on her students and colleagues.
Michele Arthur, M.Ed., K-5 Computer Teacher/ Gr. 2 T-Assistant
Michelle Arthur was born, raised, and still resides in South Boston. She and her husband, Jay, have three children: Julie, Lynne, and Gregory. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from Bentley University and worked as an accountant before having her children. In 2000, she earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University and is certified to teach Preschool through grade 6. Michelle has taught Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 2nd grade at St. Brigid’s School in South Boston. She has also worked in the Boston Public Schools as a reading intervention teacher and as a Kindergarten and grade 1 paraprofessional. Before coming to St. Stephen’s in 2013, she was the computer/technology teacher for grades K-8 at St. John the Evangelist School in Canton for 3 years and the Pre-K teacher for 1 year.
Alik Arzoumanian, Kindergarten Armenian Teacher
Alik Arzoumanian was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, in a family of educators.In 1998, Alik completed her Master of Science from the American University of Beirut in Water and Soil Sciences. She moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2000 and graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2004 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration. From 2001 to 2009, she served as the SSAES Art Teacher, and during the years 2014-2017, she taught afterschool art classes at the preschool. Alik became the Armenian Kindergarten Teacher’s assistant in 2017 and has held the position of Armenian Kindergarten teacher since 2018. In addition to her teaching role, Alik is a children’s book author and illustrator, creating picture books in Western Armenian.
Vicky Ashjian, Nursery IB Teacher
Vicky Ashjian was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. She graduated from M & H Arslanian Djemaran, and later attended Pigier College. Vicky served as Assistant Manager of an international auditing company and also worked at the Japanese Embassy Administrative Offices. After Vicky and her family moved to Massachusetts in 2003, she started substitute teaching at St. Stephen’s Preschool and has been a Nursery teacher at St. Stephen’s Preschool since 2009. Vicky is a certified Lead Teacher by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). As a teacher, her primary goal is to create a nurturing, safe, and fun educational environment where children grow up being proud of their Armenian heritage and culture. The parent of two SSAES alumni, Vicky speaks 4 languages: Armenian, Arabic, French, and English.
Tirouhi Bazarbashian, Nursery IIA Teacher
Tirouhi Bazarbashian began her journey with St. Stephen’s Preschool in 2001 and has been in the early child development field for more than two fun-filled decades. She is a Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) certified Lead Teacher and also has completed Child Development, Behavior Management, Early Childhood Curriculum and Art and Music for Young Children courses at Mass Bay Community College. As an educator, Tirouhi uses her strengths of positivity and inclusivity to foster a safe emotional learning environment. She feels working with children is as exciting for her as she hopes it is for the children! She loves reading stories aloud and encouraging and teaching children to tell stories, build great imagination, comprehension, and literacy. Tirouhi believes that early childhood education is very important because it helps lay the foundation for learning and that all children deserve to have a safe educational environment to learn, have fun, and grow.
Houry Boyamian, Principal Emerita
Houry Boyamian was the Principal of St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, in Watertown, Massachusetts, from 1988 to 2023. For 35 years, she served the school with great determination and commitment, bringing a sense of identity coupled with a dedication to provide the best education possible. Thanks to her efforts, the school distinguished itself with its Armenian character, academic strength, and excellent staff. Under her administration, in 2003, St. Stephen’s became the first Armenian-American day school in New England to be fully accredited by AISNE, the Association of Independent Schools in New England. The school’s accreditation by AISNE confirmed that St. Stephen’s is on an academic par with the best private schools in the region.
Mrs. Boyamian is a graduate of Nishan Palandjian Djemaran. She holds a French Baccalaureate in Literature and Philosophy from College Protestant Francais, a BS Degree in Pharmacy from St. Joseph University, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts. For her dedication to the mission of the school and for her leadership role in the community, in 2005 she received the Mesrob Mashdots medal from the Catholicossate of the Great House of Cilicia, and in 2008 the Queen Zabel medal from the Armenian Prelacy in NY, and a Proclamation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In 2018, she also received a certificate of honor from the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia, and the Educational Excellence Award from ANCA in 2023.
Jason Crotty, Fifth-Grade Teacher
Jason Crotty grew up in and currently resides in Stow, Massachusetts. He graduated from Assumption College in 2007, majoring in English Literature and History. In 2015 he graduated from Cambridge College with a Master of Education in Elementary Education. Since 2014, Mr. Crotty has taught in various Massachusetts public school districts, including Lawrence, Lowell, and Haverhill. Mr. Crotty has previously taught as a Grade 1-5 Math, Science, Writing, and Social Studies Specialist; Grade 1 Classroom Teacher; and Grade 5 English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher. Jason is excited to teach Grade 5 at the SSAES! Outside of the classroom, Mr. Crotty enjoys spending time with his 12 year old daughter, taking walks in nature, listening to music, playing guitar, watching and talking about Boston sports, reading books, and watching movies and shows.
Jason Dawson, Fourth-Grade Teacher
Jason Dawson was born and raised in Coventry, England. Before pursuing a career in teaching, he sought experience outside of the school system and worked for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense for 3 years. After completing his university degree, he began teaching in the UK in September 1996. Mr. Dawson taught the equivalent of Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 4th grade. In 2002, Jason participated in a one-year teacher exchange program with a 3rd-grade teacher from Reno, Nevada. In 2006, he relocated to the US and taught at the British International School of Boston, covering the equivalent of 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade for 17 years. In 2020, Jason became an American citizen and is now thrilled to join SSAES. He looks forward to working with the children to help them develop in their next stages of learning.
Maral Derderian, Nursery IIB Teacher
Maral Derderian was born in Aleppo, Syria and moved with her family to Watertown, Massachusetts. After graduating from Watertown High School in 1982, she started teaching at St. Stephen’s Saturday School where her mother was also a teacher. Her mother’s passion for teaching Armenian language and culture to the next generation inspired her to pursue a career in teaching. In 1984, when St. Stephen’s first opened its doors as a bilingual day preschool with eight students, Maral joined the faculty as an Armenian teacher and an assistant teacher. After a hiatus during which time she completed her Bachelors of Science degree in early childhood education from Lesley College (University), Maral returned to teaching at St. Stephen’s. For over three decades, she has served as a nursery teacher at St. Stephen’s Preschool. Maral strongly believes that teaching is not just her profession, it is a calling, a passion, and a deep desire to teach and inspire her students.
Stephanie Grossman, First- Grade Teacher
Stephanie Grossman lives in Norfolk County. She graduated from Bridgewater State College in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Stephanie has taught kindergarten and first grade and enjoys teaching the FUNdations curriculum! Ms. Grossman holds an educator licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in Early Childhood and a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement. In addition to her professional expertise, Stephanie enjoys singing and is known for her kindness and positive attitude. She looks forward to teaching first grade at SSAES!
Yelena Hakobyan, Nursery IIA Teacher Assistant and Preschool Music Teacher
Yelena Hakobyan was born in Gyumri, Armenia. She graduated from Armen Tigranian Music School, and continued her music studies, receiving a bachelor’s degree at the Kara-Murza Music College with degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Musical Accompaniment. Yelena spent the next 18 years teaching piano at Armen Brutyan Music School. During her tenure she also worked as music instructor to kindergarten students. In 1996, Yelena and her family moved to Boston, MA. In 2004 Yelena became a music instructor for St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian School, and in 2011, she joined St. Stephen’s Preschool as a teacher assistant, eventually becoming the Preschool’s music teacher in 2015. Yelena is a certified Early Education and Care (EEC) Teacher. In addition to her preschool teaching roles, Yelena teaches piano in the SSAES Enrichment Activities program and continues to offer private piano instruction to children, hosts recitals to showcase her students’ hard work and talent to the community. Yelena has dedicated her life to teaching and enjoys working with her colleagues who are as passionate, dedicated, professional, and caring towards students as she is.
Margarita Harutunyan, Nursery IIB Teacher Assistant
Margarita Harutyunyan was born in Gyumri, Armenia. She graduated from S. Mussalyan School and she attended Tigranyan Music School majoring in piano. Margarita earned her bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy and Methodology of Elementary Education with a specialization in music from M. Nalbandyan Pedagogical Institute and was awarded a Teacher Qualification for High School from the State Examination Board. Upon graduation, she began her career as an elementary school teacher in #23 secondary school where she taught for 13 years. After moving to the United Sates, Margarita continued her passion for teaching. Parent of an SSAES alum, Margarita joined the faculty at St. Stephen’s Armenian Preschool and is a certified Lead Teacher by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (ECC). In her classroom, Margarita is dedicated to teaching children Armenian culture, language, and history, while nurturing their love of learning.
Catherine Izzo, M.Ed., Reading Specialist
Catherine Izzo holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. In 2016 she received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Reading and holds state certification in Elementary Education (grades 1 to 6) and Reading (PreK to grade 12). Mrs. Izzo taught for over 25 years at Armenian Sisters’ Academy in Lexington and the past four years was a reading interventionist in the Woburn Public Schools at the elementary level. She lives in Watertown and enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, reading, and going to Cape Cod.
Janet Khalarian, Armenian Teacher Assistant
Anna Kupelian, M.A., Nursery IA Teacher
Anna Kupelian has been teaching at St. Stephen’s Preschool since 1999. She earned her Masters in Language Arts degree from the University of Russian And Foreign Languages in Yerevan. During her extensive teaching career, Anna has had an opportunity to work with children of different ages and considers working with preschool age children as the most enjoyable and rewarding experience. Preschool education is the foundation on which more complex education is built. She truly believes that this is the time when educators can make the children feel capable of achieving things, teach them to be proud of their heritage and culture, and shape them as honest and respectful citizens. With this belief and mission, Anna enters the school every day to bring more passion, creativity, and engagement in her classroom.
Kelly Marini, Elementary Teacher Assistant
Kelly Marini is a lifelong resident of Watertown. Kelly has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Regis College. Kelly is a Teacher Assistant at SSAES with five years of experience working alongside with the lead teacher. Kelly assists with implementing instructional plans and activities; assumes the role of lead teacher in instances of absence. She supports development of students’ social emotional skills and the development of individualized behavior plans. Kelly is inspired daily by her husband and their three children. In her free time, Kelly enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with her family and relaxing on the beach.
Nayiri Manjikian, Nursery Teacher Assistant
Nayiri Manjikian was born in Beirut, Lebanon and was raised in Kessab, Syria, graduating from high school there. She has been teaching children for over 20 years and is a Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) certified Teacher. She began her teaching career at St. Stephens Armenian Saturday School where she continues as a preschool and kindergarten teacher. Nayiri also was an assistant preschool teacher at Newton School for Children. Nayiri joined the St. Stephens Armenian Preschool faculty as an assistant nursery teacher this year, with the goal to help children expand their academic development, while also teaching the Armenian language and culture.
Ardemis Megerdichian, Grades 1-5 Armenian Teacher
Ardemis Megerdichian was born in Aleppo, Syria. She attended Aleppo’s Zavarian Elementary School, Karen Jeppe High School, and studied in the Faculty of Philology at Yerevan State University. Sometimes she says jokingly, “I’ve been going to school from 3 years old till now”, because after graduating she immediately started teaching at Aleppo’s National Gulbenkian School, then at Aleppo’s Sahagian School, after which she taught at Kaloustian High School (Cairo, Egypt). Since 1999, she holds a teaching position at Boston’s St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, as an Armenian language and history teacher. Teaching the young generation of students is not just a job for Ardemis, it is her life’s mission. Ardemis has been commended by the Armenian Minister of Diaspora, in honor of her dedication to her Armenian school teaching.
Moushegh Monteiro, Art Teacher and K-5 Teacher Assistant
Moushegh Monteiro, an alumnus of SSAES (Class of 2012), is a multidisciplinary artist and educator born and raised in Watertown, Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design where he completed internships across several Boston Public Schools and specialized in landscape drawing. Through art, Moushegh aims to support the development of students’ creativity and imagination as well as students’ social emotional skills. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys playing instruments, sports, and chess.
Erin Mouradian, Kindergarten Teacher
Erin Mouradian lives in Walpole, Massachusetts. She graduated from Clark University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a concentration in Genocide Studies. Erin fell in love with teaching during her post-graduate volunteership in Gyumri, Armenia where she taught the English language for 5 months. Erin is currently the Teacher Assistant in the Kindergarten classroom who assists with implementing instructional plans and activities. Erin plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Elementary Education to become a licensed teacher. In her free time, Erin enjoys exploring different coffee shops, surfing, and being an avid Celtics fan.
Maral Orchanian, Preschool Director
Maral Orchanian has been the Director of St. Stephen’s Armenian Preschool since April 2009. Prior to this, she served as a Nursery I class teacher for 10 years. Maral received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University in 1998. She is born and raised in Aleppo, Syria, where she got her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Aleppo. She served as the principal of an elementary school for 9 years before moving to the United States in 1991. During her first year in Massachusetts, Maral taught Armenian in the Kindergarten classroom at Armenian Sisters’ Academy for 1 year before pursuing her Masters’ degree in Early Childhood Education at Lesley University. Maral is the proud mother of two boys who are St. Stephen’s school Alumni. She enjoys being a part of the SSAES preschool staff and loves being surrounded by children. Her goal is to ensure that the Preschool is a safe, enjoyable and fun environment for the children to learn and play.
Dr. Garine Palandjian, Head of School
Dr. Garine Palandjian became the Head of School of St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in July 2023. She is currently working towards completion of her Principal PreK-8 Licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Dr. Palandjian has been an educator for over 15 years. Growing up in the Armenian Community of Rhode Island, Garine is a proud graduate of Mourad Armenian Saturday School and Sunday School at St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church. Her passion for teaching and Armenian education was inspired by her parents, teachers and mentors.
In 2022, Garine completed her PhD in Educational Policy and Evaluation with a focus in Qualitative Inquiry and Comparative and International Education at Arizona State University Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. Prior to ASU, Garine worked at the American University of Armenia (2013-2017) where she set up the Center for Student Success and student support services.
Siranush Tenekedzhyan, Pre-Nursery Teacher
Siranush was born and raised in Gyumri, Armenia, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and did an internship with the Ministry of Justice in Yerevan. After moving to the United States, she became an active member of the SSAES community as a parent, volunteer, and substitute teacher, before joining the preschool staff as a Pre-Nursery teacher. Certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Siranush has continued her studies at North Shore Community College, focusing on expressive arts and children’s literature. Passionate about her belief that the foundation of early childhood education is play-based learning, in her classroom she brings creativity and warmth, encouraging imagination through the arts, play, and exploration. Siranush is dedicated to nurturing her students’ intellectual and social-emotional growth, building their confidence, and encouraging their natural curiosity.
Laura Terzian, Pre-Nursery Teacher
Laura Terzian was born and raised in Yerevan, Armenia where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Radio Engineering from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, in 1990. Four years later, Laura made her journey to the United States, and shortly afterward she joined the faculty at the St. Stephen’s Armenian Preschool. After a hiatus when she assisted with her family’s business, Laura returned to teaching at the SSAES Preschool as a Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) certified Lead Teacher. A parent of two SSAES alumni, Laura is a natural-born nurturer and loves every aspect of her teaching position. Her goal is to educate every child that walks through the doors of her classroom and to instill in them a love for the beautiful Armenian culture and language.
Svetlana Vehapetian, Nursery IA Co-Teacher
Svetlana Vehapetian has been a Nursery teacher at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School since 2000 and is a certified Lead Teacher by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). She is passionate about teaching children through play, dance, and song and enjoys watching children grow and learn over time. The proud parent of two SSAES alumni, Svetlana considers it a great privilege and opportunity to teach at an Armenian school and nurture the love of Armenian language, history, and culture in an educational setting.
Rebecca Webb, Second-Grade Teacher
Rebecca Webb was born and raised in the Boston area. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont in 2024. She is certified to teach grades 1-6, as well as holding a Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement. She has previously taught 1st grade and is excited to be teaching 2nd! In her free time, Rebecca enjoys reading, spending time outside, and exploring new places with friends and family. She strives to create a classroom community where all students feel included and cared for. She is looking forward to learning and growing with her class this year.
Laura Yardumian, Operations & Communications Coordinator
Laura Yardumian earned her BA in Anthropology, Classics, and Secondary Education from Grinnell College in Iowa, with post-graduate coursework in anthropology at the University of New Mexico and in human resources at Cambridge College. The proud mother of three SSAES alumni and a former PTO co-chair and Board Member, Laura has extensive experience in independent school operations and non-profit management. A life-long learner, she enjoys tackling new technologies, problem solving, reading, puzzles, and children of all ages. Teach people to be a disciplined thinkers, and they will be able to learn or do anything they set their minds to accomplish.
Zareh Zarifian, Traffic and Safety Monitor
Alec Zareh Zarifian was born in Abadan ,Iran where he completed his elementary education. After moving to Tehran, he attended Koushes Armenian High School. After completing high school, he served in the army for 2 years. He then immigrated to the U.S. After arriving and establishing himself in the Boston area, he attended Newbury College and received his associate degree in computer science and then went on to take courses in computer operations. After completing his schooling, he was employed by Baybank as a computer operations supervisor. Alec worked there for many years. Several years after leaving Baybank, he went on to work for Springwell elderly services as a site manager until now. Meanwhile, Alec started to work at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School. He found his work at the school to be very rewarding and satisfying. He enjoys helping parents, students and teachers. Alec Zareh has been married since 1983 to his wife Judy. Together, they have 3 daughters, Kristine, Ani and Anoush who all attended and graduated from St. Stephen’s school. He currently lives in Watertown with his family.