The Worldview Cannot Stand Still, It Must Grow: a Conversation with Zina Khachatryan, Principal of Gurgen Margaryan Secondary School No. 94

“Worldview platform and smart screens create an engaging atmosphere in the school. Teachers derive enjoyment from their lessons, leaving the classroom fulfilled and motivated, having achieved their objectives—that’s no small feat. When parents respond positively, we realize we’re on the right track.”

One of the defining features of Gurgan Margaryan Secondary School No. 94 is its status as a mentor school. This means that there’s no shortage of training opportunities here. The teachers and principal are either undergoing training themselves or facilitating it, often simultaneously. Despite their busy schedules, Principal Zina Khachatryan finds a window to discuss the Worldview.

“It’s an excellent tool—a remarkable platform that allows you to construct engaging lessons. If a lesson isn’t interesting, students simply won’t pay attention. We have an incredible generation, multifaceted and bright; we just need to guide their knowledge in the right direction. It’s essential to organize the learning process effectively, and this platform is genuinely an outstanding resource. Importantly, it’s not just for students; we are learning as well. Education is a continuous process, and I can attest to this: if you don’t work on yourself for a month, it becomes immediately evident.”

Ms. Khachatryan has spent over thirty years in education and cannot recall any educational platform like Worldview throughout her career. So far, it is the only one of its kind that has inspired and captivated the entire teaching staff. School No. 94 was among the first to embrace the concept of Worldview and integrate it into their teaching processes. Principal Khachatryan has observed that while younger educators tend to adopt this innovative platform more quickly, there is also considerable interest and drive among senior teachers: “We have one teacher who became so intrigued by what students told her about Worldview that she attended a history class to see for herself how she could use this tool in her own lessons.”

Teachers well-versed in Worldview share their experiences with others. Zina Khachatryan personally encourages her colleagues to learn and teach. They have even developed courses to introduce teachers from other schools to the Worldview educational platform. Ms. Khachatryan hopes that other schools can taste the victory they experienced when they participated in the “Smart-Boards for Worldview Schools 2024” competition, won, and brought the first smart board to their school.

“There’s something truly special about teachers and students working hard to earn that smart board themselves—that’s the essence of victory. By engaging in such project-based work, students develop a value system and critical thinking skills, honing capabilities that are essential in today’s world. Of course, we take pride in this. The students were so proud too, knowing they had contributed something valuable to the school. The students who participated in the competition are now in the twelfth grade and will soon graduate, but the thought that their hard-earned board will benefit future students warms their hearts.”

Ms. Khachatryan candidly shares her feelings: “I’ve become a bit arrogant [laughs], of course metaphorically speaking. We do feel great. The school is like a family, and the success of each member is a triumph for all of us. I’ve always dreamed of having such a board in our school. I used to wonder, why not us? Why can’t we achieve this?”
The Worldview platform and smart board have created a dynamic environment in the school. “We even renovated the classroom ahead of time where we were set to install it,” Ms. Khachatryan notes, adding that they also refurbished an adjacent room, turning it into a classroom for design studies. This way, art students are also close to the Worldview and the smart board. Beyond just the atmosphere, the overall environment of the school has transformed.

“Teachers find joy in their lessons, leaving the classroom satisfied and invigorated, knowing they’ve reached their goals. That’s truly significant. When parents respond positively, we understand we’re on the right path.”
Ms. Khachatryan has also observed a trend: the number of students choosing history as a subject is increasing. Even students from other disciplines are interested in switching. She connects this trend to the influence of the Worldview and the smart screen.

“The concept behind the Worldview is excellent. We can see the results; we experience it firsthand and witness the positive enthusiasm among students. I want it to have a long life. It cannot stand still; it must grow.”