Sophia's Garden of Virtues

Makijan, Narineh: - As an immigrant, first-generation college graduate and as a leader, Dr. Narineh Makijan has experienced firsthand the life-changing power of resilience, education, and values. With over twenty years of experience in education, counseling, leadership, and as a professor, she has dedicated her career to guiding children, young adults, and families toward personal growth and emotional well-being.

Throughout her journey, she has had the honor of serving as a counselor to countless students, each one reinforcing her belief in the importance of nurturing inner strength through timeless virtues. Her work has shown her that when children develop qualities like self-respect, empathy, integrity, self-control, curiosity, perseverance, and optimism, they are better prepared to meet life's challenges with courage, confidence, compassion, and resilience.

This book was inspired by her greatest teachers: her own children, Leon, Liam, and Sophia. In learning when to step back and let them face the world, she discovered how important it is to raise children who are not only comforted, but empowered.

Through Sophia's Armenian-inspired journey, Dr. Narineh Makijan invites readers to rediscover the quiet, powerful wisdom that lies in a life rooted in values. She hopes this story encourages families to plant and nurture these virtues in the hearts of their children, because real strength grows from within.