GenEd’s Texas Summer Institute on Genocide Education introduces Texas-wide teachers to comparative genocides, survivor presentations, lesson planning, cultural activities

· August 21, 2026

Dallas, TX, June 3-6 ~ Teachers from all over Texas attended the Texas Summer Institute on Genocide Education, getting professional development training on appropriate pedagogy and methods for teaching about the difficult topic of genocide, and learning about numerous genocides in modern history, their similar patterns and unique characteristics, as well as multiple approaches to teaching about these events across secondary school curriculum.

Held on the beautiful campus of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Carrollton, Texas, the 3-day, all-expense-paid institute was hosted through a successful partnership among GenEd, the Dallas Armenian American community, St. Sarkis Church, and a grant from the Texas Holocaust, Genocide AND Antisemitism Advisory Commission.

The Institute’s programming director was GenEd Teacher Fellow and genocide scholar, Beth Hudson (far right). Joined by GenEd Education Director Kerri Flynn (far left) and GenEd Texas representative Shevan Basmadjian (second from right), the team developed a robust agenda to help teachers effectively incorporate genocide education into their curriculum, as recommended by the Texas state educational standards.

“The leaders were amazing!!! We were treated so well!!
We got so many beautiful resources.”

Institute survey response

Along with instructional training on genocide and applications in the classroom, the agenda included:

– A talk by Annie Graham, a Texas Armenian American and daughter of genocide survivors (at right, with daughter, Shevan Basmadjian)

– A field trip to Wat Jetapon Khemararam (the Cambodian Buddhist Temple of Dallas) led by Maj. Paul Thai of Dallas Police (at left), who shared his family history of genocide survival

– A presentation by Southern Methodist University (SMU) Human Rights Program Associate Director, Dr. Brad Klein

– A tour by Pastor Father Ghevond and talk about the historical roots of Christianity within the Armenian experience;

– Cultural activities for classroom use (below), including creating Armenian “bird letters” in the style of ancient Armenian manuscripts, making traditional Armenian “dignik” dolls, learning Armenian folk dances, and sampling Armenian food provided by St. Sarkis church volunteers.

GenEd presents two workshops at the CA Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education Summer Institute

Los Angeles, CA ~ As part of the CA Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education, GenEd led several workshops at the Collaborative’s Summer Institute.

GenEd Education Director Kerri Flynn and GenEd Educational Programming Assistant Christina Chiranian Daduryan led the sessions, “From Classification to Denial: Teaching the Armenian Genocide,” “Using Artifacts and Literature to Teach the Armenian Genocide,” and “Voices and Stories of Resilience: Teaching the Armenian Genocide.” Participants gained historical context as well as new methods, lessons, and classroom activities (including making Armenian “Dignik” dolls and “Bird Letter” ancient manuscript-style designs.