2012 Teacher Development Courses

To help train successful Suzuki teachers, the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) has set up short term teacher development courses. Teachers interested in studying the Suzuki philosophy, pedagogy and other aspects of the method enroll in courses corresponding to each book.

This teacher development course is approved by and follows the format of the SAA Teacher Development Program. Registration for this Teacher Development Course is in either one of two categories: Participant or Auditor.

Information regarding the Teacher Development Program is available from the SAA.

Pre-Course Preparation for Teachers

It is recommended that in addition to being prepared for the repertoire, the teacher participant should be conversant with the ideas presented in Suzuki's book Nurtured by Love.

All participants will be performing in class. All participants are expected to bring their own instruments. It is also recommended that participants bring a tape recorder and a notebook to all sessions. Attendance is required 100% of class time in order to register a course with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Auditors need to register in a timely fashion so a space may be reserved in the class. Auditor status is appropriate when a teacher is unable to meet the course's attendance, observation, or audition requirements. The auditor may play in class only with the permission of the instructor and may not register the course with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Auditors may observe in a registered teacher training class, as well as student activities, concerts, and performances. The tuition fee is the same for both participants and auditors.

General Information

Applicants for short-term Suzuki teacher training courses may take Suzuki Association of the Americas Unit courses as a Participant or Auditor.

In order to qualify for short-term training as a participant, new trainees must pass a videotape audition process monitored by the SAA. If you do not have prior knowledge of this process, please view audition info, tape guidelines and application here. (SAA website)

The short-term Teacher Training Courses are presented in accordance with the following SAA guidelines:

1. If you have already taken books in previous years, those books remain valid. However, one of the above videotape approval processes will be required prior to acceptance as a participant in any further training courses.
   
   
2. SAA requires that courses be taken in sequence through book 2. (Violists may use violin course book 1 and 2 to fulfill viola teacher training requirements.)
   
   
3. Only one short-term SAA teacher training course may be taken at the same time. Many violin, viola, cello, and piano courses are offered consecutively so one or more may be taken during the 2011 Institute sessions.
   
   
4. All applicants are expected to prepare the book to be studied to the point of fluent performance. Memory is not required but is recommended. Fifteen hours of observation of student classes is required for book 1 teacher training. Eight hours of observation of student classes is required for book 2 and above. Trainers will recommend specific observations with the bulk done at the book level being studied. Trainees will record their observations in a format prescribed by the trainer.
   
   
5. Advanced high school students may be admitted to participate in the course, but SAA registration forms will not be issued to high school students.
   
   
6. Participants who have met the course requirements, including 100% class attendance, will receive a form signed by the Teacher Trainer which can be registered with the SAA for a $10 fee.
   
   
7. Teachers are encouraged to take courses over again as new ideas and deeper understanding are always gained.
   
   
8. Teachers enrolling in book 1 and beyond must be current, active SAA members. Submit a photocopy of your membership card or current SAA journal label with your registration form. If you need an SAA membership form please indicate so on your registration form by attaching a note.
   
   
9. Teacher training classes are limited to 15 people for all instruments.