Faculty & Staff

Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School
Faculty and Staff
2007-2008 Academic Year

Administration
Assadour Assadourian, Principal
Margo Baghjajian, Administrator Assistant

Pre-Kindergarten Faculty
Ani Assadourian, Teacher, Pre-K 1
Astrid Ashkarian, Teacher, Pre-K 2
Talin Wartan, Teacher's Aide, Pre-K 2

Grade School Faculty
Amberly Rivera, Teacher, 2nd grade
Ani Geloyan, Armenian Teacher, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade
Jeff Weinstein, Teacher, 4th Grade
Kelly Koopman, Teacher, Kindergarten
Kohar Zaher, Armenian and Science teacher, 1st, 2nd, and 6th grade
Michelle Golden, Teacher, 3rd Grade
Rebecca Johnson, Teacher, 1st Grade
Russel McCall, Teacher, 5th Grade
Talin Artinian, Teacher's Aide/Armenian Teacher, Pre-K 1/Kindergarten

Other
Margo Bartoumian, Cafeteria Coordinator
Nanor Jamakordzian-Tabib, Music Teacher, Elementary Grades

Meet Our Faculty & Staff

We are extremely proud of our faculty and staff at Ari Guiragos Minassian School. Our teachers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our school. Read on for more information about each of our wonderful teachers and dedicated administration: 

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Assadour Assadourian ( Principal) TOP

Principal Assadourian has been at A.G. Minassian for the past 11 years. He has been in the field of education for the last 40 years as a teacher, mentor and administrator/principal. Along with his degrees and credentials he has been awarded many certifications, notices and recognition for his accomplishments. In 2001, he was recognized as Educator of the Year for his service to the Armenian community. Prior to moving to Orange County, he was principal at the Armenian Community School in Fresno for 15 years.

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Margo Baghjajian ( Administrator Assistant) TOP

Mrs. Baghjajian has been with A.G. Minassian for the last 19 years as school secretary. Her voice is usually the first you hear when you contact our school. She is responsible for many duties and interacts on a daily basis with the children, staff and parents. Margo's organizational skills and dedication to our students are a tremendous asset to the school.

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Ani Assadourian (Pre-K 1 Teacher) TOP

Mrs. Assadourian has been with our school since it first opened its doors in 1986, and has remained as the Pre-K 1 teacher for 22 years. Mrs. Assadourian has taught at various schools throughout her career. Her educational background includes receiving a degree in Child Development in Lebanon, as well as a degree from UCLA.

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Astrid Ashkarian (Pre-K 2 Teacher) TOP

Mrs. Ashkarian began her teaching career as a music and dance instructor. Through the years she has held various teaching positions, most notably working for 12 years as a head pre-school teacher. She has received her degree in Early Childhood Education and has been at A.G. Minassian for 10 years as our Pre-K 2 teacher.

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Talin Wartan (Pre-K 2 Teacher's Aide) TOP

Taline Wartan, has been a Pre-K 2 aide at A.G. Minassian for the last 9 years. She has earned enough units to qualify her as a pre-school teacher, and is currently obtaining her certificate in Early Education.

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Amberly Rivera (2nd grade  Teacher) TOP

Mrs. Rivera has a multiple subject credential and a masters of education in cross-cultural teaching. She has taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade in the Orange Unified School District public schools. She is married with three kids.

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Ani Geloyan (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Armenian Teacher) TOP

This is Mrs. Geloyan's 4th year at A.G. Minassian and her qualifications include a bachelors degree from Haigazian University in Beirut, as well as a bachelors degree from the American University of Beirut. Mrs. Geloyan has taught Armenian language and Armenian History at various educational institutions.

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Jeff Weinstein (4th Grade Teacher) TOP

This is Mr. Weinsteins 4th year at A.G. Minassian as a fourth grade teacher. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona, earning a BA in Elementary Education, along with his teaching credentials.

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Kelly Koopman (Kindergarten Teacher) TOP

Koopman has been teaching Kindergarten at A.G. Minassian since 2006. She has received her Bachelor's Degree along with her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She is currently continuing her education towards a Master's Degree.

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Kohar Zaher (1st, 2nd, and 6th grade Armenian and Science teacher) TOP

Mrs. Kohar Zaher joined A.G. Minassian School in 2006 as a 1st and 2nd grade Armenian teacher and 6th grade Science teacher. She has earned her Bachelors of Science and Agricultural Engineering degrees, as well as a Masters of Science degree in Plant Pathology from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. She was a Teaching Assistant in a Science Lab at the A.U. B. while pursuing her Masters degree. She has worked in Research Laboratories at the University of California, Riverside for over ten years. She has taught Armenian for the past eighteen years at the ARS Sevan Chapter Saturday School, where currently she is the principal of the school. Prior to her appointment at A.G. Minassian, she served on the Education Committee of the school.

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Michelle Golden (3rd Grade Teacher) TOP

Mrs. Golden has been with A.G. Minassian for 8 years. She taught Kindergarten for the last 6 years, but now teaches third grade. She has a bachelors degree in psychology and recently obtained her teaching credentials.

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Rebecca Johnson (1st Grade Teacher) TOP

Ms. Rebecca Johonson. Bachelor of Science in child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton. Multiple subject teaching credential frm California State, univ., Fullerton.She started at AG Minassian school for the 2006-2007 school year.This will be the second year teaching first grade here.She plans to return to CSU, Fullerton next fall to persue a Masters in reading.

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Russel McCall (5th Grade Teacher) TOP

This is Mr. McCalls 4th year at A.G. Minassian. He received his BA in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton, and his MFA from Chapman University. He is currently completing his teaching credentials. His past experience includes teaching for two years in Japan.

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Talin Artinian (Pre-K 1/Kindergarten Teacher's Aide/Armenian Teacher) TOP

Miss Artinian has been with A.G. Minassian as both an aide for Pre-K 1 and as Armenian language instructor for students in Kindergarten. Her previous experience includes teaching Armenian religion and language in Syria. In 2005, she completed her certification in Early Childhood Education.

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Margo Bartoumian ( Cafeteria Coordinator) TOP

Mrs. Bartoumian has been providing hot Armenian lunches for students since the establishment of our school. Whether its letsoug (dolma) or the occasional pizza (so its not Armenian, but the kids love it!), her meals are tasty and nutritious. She is currently the owner and operator of Ararat Restaurant in Anaheim, California.

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Nanor Jamakordzian-Tabib (Elementary Grades Music Teacher) TOP

Art and specifically Music add beautiful lines in ones character. Studies show that the combination of commitment, passion and dedication not only makes a successful musician but also helps students in their studies. My journey with music started 20 years ago, however, the learning process has never stopped. Teaching the students here at Ari Giragos Minassian school has been a pleasure, and seeing their passion while performing on stage has been most rewarding.

Administration