Turkish School

The mission of Turkish School

The mission of Turkish School is to educate children on Turkish culture, expand their knowledge on Turkish heritage and history, and improve their language skills by discussions and group studies, which are coordinated by volunteer members of ATA-NC.

Turkish School started in the spring of 1994 with many enthusiastic students. The mission of the school was to teach these students how to write, read, and speak in Turkish, as well as expand their knowledge of Turkish history, geography, music, folklore, and culture.

Turkish School accepts children starting age 3 and up. The children focused on Turkish language by reading Turkish stories, poems and writing essays as well as discussing variety of subjects such as history, geography, arts and culture, games, and music based on the interests and abilities of the children. 

The number of students attending the school varied from 20 to 30 students from several surrounding areas -- Cary, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Mebane and Fayetteville. 

Many ideas developed throughout the years and were added to the school program as improvements. Among these is the formation of a children's folk dance group that practiced during the last half hour of school and performed regularly at the International Festival and Turkish Nights. Later, these practices were also moved to a different setting and time.

Over the years with the outpouring support, passion, and caring of parents and volunteers along with the requirements of students, the school program was constantly improved. These devoted volunteer teachers and enthusiastic students expand and continue to carry on this tradition.

Turkish School Staff (2011-2012)
Pre-School: 
  Iz Lillis
Kindergarten: 
  Deniz Arslan
1st Grade:
  Ege Hurgel
2nd Grade:
  Ilkay Cubukcu
3rd Grade:
  Zeynep Akyil 
1st&2nd&3rd Grade:
  Art : Pelin Bali
  History : Nihat Cubukcu
  Music: Didem Kivanc 

Turkish School Staff (2010-2011)
Pre-School: Iz Lillis
Kindergarten: Ilkay Cubukcu(Turkish), Feyza Guvenc(Craft Teacher)
1st Grade (English): Burcin Iz (This is a classroom for kids that do not know or have very limited knowledge of Turkish.)
1st Grade (Turkce): Mustafa Berke Yelten
2nd Grade:
  Turkish : Zeynep Akyil
  Art : Pelin Bali
  History : Nihat Cubukcu
  Music: Ahmet Burak Ucar

Turkish School Staff (2009-2010)
Berk Iz, Burcin Iz, Derya Cubukcu, Engin Reis, Ilkay Cubukcu, Nihat Cubukcu, Ozlem Cete, Pelin Bali, Ruchan Kelesoglu, Semra Aydin, Serra Acar, Zeynep Akyil

Turkish School Staff (2008-2009)
Banu Binbasaran, Engin Reis, Feyza Guvenc, Hasan Sengezer, Merivan Tunc, Pelin Bali, Ruchan Kelesoglu, Serra Acar, Zeynep Akyil

Turkish School Staff (2007-2008)
Engin Reis, Feyza Guvenc, Banu Binbasaran, Buket Aydemir, Pelin Bali, Perver Baran, Sema Oktay, Serra Acar, Zeynep Akyil

Turkish School Staff (2006-Past)
Ali Tombak, Alper Kendir, Ayse Peksenar, Birgul Tuzlali, Bulent Ender, Cigdem Yuret, Dilek Imece, Elif Buyukboyaci, Hatice Orun Ozturk, Lale Bozkurt, Mesut Baran, Murat Kaya, Nermin Simpson, Secin Guncavdi, Sema Deeds, Sema Oktay, Sevi Gunal, Tevfik Yucek, Ugur Mertyurek, Volkan Ozdemir, Yaprak Balkan.

Turkish School Founders and initial principles (1994)
Buket Aydemir, Gunseli Shareef and Nur Onvural.
They were later followed by Ayse Gurel and Deniz Ender as the school principles.

^{Posted on 2012-01-20}