LOS ANGELES—On Tuesday, September 3, applause filled the Los Angeles City Council chamber as they recognized the service of long-time Glendale resident Vahe Markarian for his twenty years of service in public education, especially his hard work as principal of Santa Monica Blvd. Community Charter School.
“The great thing about a pioneer is others follow and succeed. In the heart of Hollywood, they become a charter school and they are packed,” said City Council Member, Tom Labonge representing the Fourth District of Los Angeles.
Markarian, since his time as Principal, successfully led the school in increasing its API growth to over three hundred fifty points, while also leading the school through WASC accreditation and NAEYC accreditation for its preschool program. He was a founding member of the SMBCC and Ararat School and Founder of Vista Charter School, where in July, he was appointed Executive Director.
Before his time as Principal at Santa Monica Blvd. Charter School, he received his Bachelor of Arts from California State University-Northridge in Geography. He then went on to receive his teaching credential from LAUSD’s Intern Program and his Master’s and Administrative credentials from Cal State University Los Angeles. He taught as an elementary school teacher from 1991 to 1996.
Councilman Mitch O’Farrel, who represents District 13 also recognized Vahe Markarian’s outstanding countribution to the school and community.
“Our future generations deserve no less, our children deserve a top quality education no matter what race they are, where they live or what their socio-economic status is,” said Markarian after he thanked City Council, echoing his philosophy on education.
“Over these years, my staff and I have strived to make education fun, relevant and meaningful for children. We have always put children first, and do what is morally responsible rather than what is politically palatable. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but together we have been able to turn one of LA’s worst performing schools (100 worst schools list) into a model school which has become a California Distinguished School and we currently have a waiting list for students wanting to enroll. I believe that education should be at the center of the community and that schools should be a place for students, parents, and teachers to come together for the betterment of the community. Through education students are given the tools to look at the world critically and recognize the importance and power of their involvement in society. By giving children the tools for learning, we empower a whole generation.”
