Samvel Tavadyan
Teacher Leader · Teach For Armenia
On December 12, 2022, Samvel Tavadyan left Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, to teach in the remote village of Mets Shen. That same day, self-proclaimed eco-activists blocked the Lachin Corridor: the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. Stranded on the wrong side of the blockade, Samvel was forced to conduct classes remotely for months while his village remained cut off from the outside world.
Crisis Timeline
- TFA Begins Work in ArtsakhTeach For Armenia launches operations in Artsakh, placing Teacher Leaders in underserved communities across the region.
- Artsakh WarThe devastating 2020 war leaves Artsakh communities reeling. Students, parents, and teachers face severe disruption and trauma.
- Blockade BeginsOn December 12, the Lachin Corridor is blocked, cutting off 120,000 people in Artsakh from Armenia and the outside world.
- Education ContinuesDespite months of isolation, gas shortages, and supply disruptions, Teach For Armenia's Teacher Leaders adapt, teaching remotely, organizing community programs, and providing art therapy to students.
120,000
People Under Blockade
Residents of Artsakh cut off from the outside world
70+
Teacher Leaders Deployed
Served in Artsakh over six years of TFA operations
6
Years of Presence
Teach For Armenia operating in Artsakh since 2017
Teach For Armenia has operated in Artsakh since 2017. Over six years, more than 70 Teacher Leaders served across the region, working with hundreds of children. Beyond classroom instruction, they implemented extracurricular activities and dozens of community development programs.
After the devastation of the 2020 Artsakh War, students, parents, and teachers in Artsakh's communities faced yet another crisis at the end of 2022: a months-long blockade that brought complete isolation from the outside world. Among countless social and psychological challenges, the blockade caused severe educational disruption.
“I have to shorten the time for presenting new material, and often, group work remains incomplete or cannot be carried out as intended.
Eginar GrigoryanTeacher Leader
“When there is uncertainty and concerns about physical security, it becomes challenging to convince students that the lesson is essential and meaningful.
Suzanna KagramanyanTeacher Leader
To engage students beyond regular classes, Teach For Armenia's Teacher Leaders organized hiking activities, film screenings, and intellectual games: collectively demonstrating steps toward a brighter future. These extracurricular projects, a vital part of the two-year Teacher Leadership Program, became even more essential during the blockade.
Although gas shortages and supply disruptions critically hindered the purchase and transportation of materials, Teacher Leaders remained resourceful. Samvel Tavadyan's students, for instance, began recreating works by world-renowned artists while studying their lives and creative journeys: a project that doubled as vital art therapy. The students expressed hope that the road to Artsakh would eventually reopen, and they looked forward to welcoming guests from different cities to view their paintings.
Throughout the challenges posed by blockade and isolation, Teach For Armenia's Teacher Leaders showed unwavering commitment, resourcefulness, and determination. They continued to inspire their students and create meaningful learning experiences, demonstrating the power of education even in the face of adversity, and lighting the path toward a brighter future for the children of Artsakh.
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