Advocate of Greek-American Education Honored

“Education is the kindling of a flame not the filling of a vessel” Socrates, Greek Philosopher (470 B.C. – 399 B.C.).  A unique educator who has worked in Greek-Amercian education since the 1970’s was honored for her work. Maria Makedon, Director of the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, was recognized for her outstanding achievement at the Fortieth Anniversary Luncheon of the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” on Sunday afternoon, February 28^th, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing, N.Y.

His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America, Stephen Cherpelis, Archon Dikaiophylax of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Dr. Theodosis Pelegrinis, Deputy Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs of Greece with staff member George Krikis, Vasilis Philippou Consul-General of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Thalia Chatziagiannoglou, Head of the Office for Educational Affairs of the New York Consulate General of Greece and prominent persons from the education and business communities attended.

Maria joined the staff of the Archdiocese following her graduation from St. Basil Academy/Teachers College, in June 1971, to serve in the Department of Education as an executive secretary and assistant to the director. In November 1989, Archbishop Iakovos officially appointed her as assistant director of the Department of Education.

Maria Makedon holds a diploma from St. Basil Academy/Teacher College (1971) as well as degrees from St. John’s University (B. S. in Education, 1985, Magna Cum Laude) and Teacher’s College/Columbia University (M.A. in Educational Administration, 1988). She also holds a permanent certificate as a Public School Administrator/Supervisor from the New York State Education Department (1991). Maria Makedon is in-charge of the development and administration of the annual Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek, a foreign language achievement test that assesses proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Modern Greek. She has also supervised and/or contributed in numerous other publications of the Archdiocese Education Department on the Greek language and culture including the Kindergarten Curriculum that was published in 2007.

As a member of the Standing Committee of New York City Religious and Independent Schools, Maria Makedon represents the Archdiocese and the NYC Greek Orthodox parochial day schools at the federal, state, and local education authorities. Her participation in various conferences and committee meetings has initiated contacts that have helped provide the New York City day schools with various funded services and resources.  She was selected as “The National Herald’s  Educator of the Year” in 2014.

 We were all honored to be present when her unique contribution to Greek-American education was recognized.