By: Catherine Tsounis, Contributor
A professional woman visited us at the Greek Teachers’ Association “Prometheus” in the mid-1980s. Her smile and kindness impressed us. Athena Kromidas, principal, educator and teacher worked at the William Spyropoulos School and created a legend. She has helped generations of students. Director Kromidas retires on February 1, 2018. She will be missed by everyone.
I wrote about and photographed the career of Principal Kromidas. I will cover some of the major events I attended in this article. since 1985. More than six hundred people attended a William Spyropoulos School PTA testimonial in his honor at the Terrace on the Park dining establishment in Flushing Meadow Park. Students at William Spyropoulos School have created a unique handmade tapestry.
Tonight we come together to honor the person who is able to bring out the best in all of us at St. Nicholas William Spyropoulos School,” said Rev. Paul Palesty. “She is not only a professional administrator, but also a second mother to our children. » Ms. Kromidas is a dedicated and caring educator who will be remembered in everyone’s memory. She is always there to help a child or a parent. When a parent has a problem, they know that Ms. Kromidas will do everything possible to try to help them. This unique individual is known for working hard and helping community causes anonymously.
His education includes: a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Philosophy with distinction from the University of Athens; Master of Arts in Bilingual Education with scholarship from St. John’s University; and a professional diploma in school administration and supervision from CW Post University. The educator has served as an adjunct instructor in the Greek Language and Literature program at St. John’s University. She assisted the Greek consulate in its educational program. Selfless and dedicated educators such as Ms. Kromidas are the backbone of the New York parish system. She cemented strong ties with members of the Northeast Queens community in the areas of public education and politics.
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This dynamic educator played an active role in helping St. Nicholas Church establish a close relationship with the 111th Police Station. His work helped make the neighborhood safer and contributed to the appointment of a crossing guard at 196th Street and Northern Boulevard. in Flushing. She played a key role in reestablishing a modern Greek program at Benjamin Cardozo High School.
A prolific writer and poet, her works have been published internationally in newspapers and periodicals. Ms. Kromidas has participated on radio, television, panel discussions, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Board of Education, the Greek Teachers’ Association “Prometheus,” the Committee of Greek Regents, and international conferences. In January 1993, she was selected as “Educator of the Year” by the National Herald newspaper. Congressman Gary Ackerman in 1996 inscribed the Greek-American educator’s achievements in the “Congressional Archives,” which represent the history of the United States of America.
The same year, she received a citation from the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Mark Weprin. On November 21, 1998, Athena Tsokou Kromidas was honored as “Educator of the Year” by the Panchiaki “Korais” Society. His Eminence, Bishop Iakovos, of the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America, awarded him the “Three Hierarchs Medal”. His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos, said in a letter that Ms. Tsokou-Kromidas had provided “exemplary service to her church.” You honored him with your loyalty, your integrity, your piety and your true devotion. And now that you are completing your years of personal and family dedication to the Church and its institutions as a member of the Archdiocesan Board of Education, I would like you to know that I will continue to count on your help whenever necessary. necessary.
In May 1996, the Chios Mesta Association of America, which represents his hometown, honored him for his unique contribution to Chios, Greece and the Greek-American community. “Panchiakos Syllogos Korais” honored her for her excellence in education in 1998. Political leaders presented her with citations for her unique role as a political activist during the January afternoon Greek school testimony 2001 in his honor.1
Ms. Kromidas is from a northeastern Aegean island that gained its freedom in 1912. She helped organize the centenary of the freedom of Chios. “A hundred years ago, on November 11, 1912, the island pledged to free itself from the Ottoman Empire and unite with Greece,” said Athena Kromidas, educator/scholar/director of the William Spyropoulos School of Saint-Nicolas. Church in Flushing, New York. “A series of events entitled “Centennial Celebration”, taking place throughout 2012, have been organized to honor the centenary anniversaries of the liberation of Chios and the founding of the Panchiaki Korais Society… We we have a very ambitious program for the with speakers of the highest esteem who will present topics on political and financial developments in Greece, intellectual developments as well as the flourishing of the maritime sector in Chios, key scientific milestones and the Hellenic presence in America. Our goal today is for you to leave this symposium with a wealth of knowledge and a deeper appreciation of our Greek heritage. And that’s what they did. Abundant refreshments attest to the traditional hospitality of the Chians, stemming from their ancient Ionian origins.2
Ms. Kromidas helped me with my studies as well as my career as a journalist. In 2000, Nicholas, Annette and Nicole Fridas, the late Constantine Parthenis, and Principal Kromidas inspired Panchiaki Korais to create scholarships in Modern Greek at the university where I taught. They encouraged young people at the university level, while I taught until 2010.
Ms. Athena Tsokou Kromidas has been honored numerous times during her career. Ms. Kromidas was honored for her lifelong dedication to the preservation of the Greek language and customs at the 40th anniversary luncheon of the Greek Teachers’ Association “Prometheus” held at Terrace on the Park, in Flushing. She was honored as president from 1986 to 1988 by the president of Prometheus, Professor Démosthène Triantafillou.
He’s a legend – loyal and unwavering. His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America, Mr. Stephen Cherpelis, Archon Dikaiophylax of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Dr. Theodosis Pelegrinis, Deputy Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs of Greece, accompanied by member staff George Krikis, Mr. Vasilis, recognized his educational work. Philippou, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Thalia Chatziagianniglou, Head of the Educational Affairs Office of the Consulate General of Greece in New York and prominent figures from the world of education and business. She received honors from New York State Senator Michael Giannaris from District 12, the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” and the Ministry of Education of Greece.
. “I would not be here today without the opportunity given to me to offer my services to educate our Greek community,” said Director Kromidas after receiving her award. “I owe this award to my family, my colleagues, the parents and students of Saint-Nicolas School and the entire Greek community of Flushing. It is an honor to serve St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Parish, a community that I have loved and respected for over 32 years. The Chian Federation presented its 34th annual Homeric Award in 2013 to Principal Athena Tsokou-Kromidas. She has a weekly radio show on Cosmos FM.
Our daughter, Despina, stayed at William Spyropoulos School in the late 80s and early 90s because she loved being with Principal Chris Arlis, Principal Athena Tsokou Kromidas and the staff. They knew how to bring out the best in our child. Dr Despina
Siolas owes his success to an M.D./Ph.D. degree. to his formative years under directors Arlis and Kromidas. She was 100 percent loyal to me when it mattered. Mrs. Athéna Tsokou Kromidas will not disappear in retirement. This bright and artistic person will begin a new creative path in their life. “I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher to live well”, Alexander the Great.
The references:
- ^ http://www.greeknewsonline.com/athena-kromidas-honored-by-parents-and-youth-of-william-spyropoulos-school/
- ^
- http://www.hellenictimes.org/14022/180296/a/unique-education-mentor-honored And
https://hellenicnews.com/sold-crowd-attend-greek-teachers-association-prometheus-40th-anniversary-luncheon/ http://usa.greekreporter.com/2016/03/12/unique-greek-american-education-mentor-honored/
