News: Teachers
2008 Scholarship Application
The 2008 SAA Teacher Development Scholarship Application is now available. 2008 scholarships are for short-term, long-term, or apprenticeship between May 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009 and must be postmarked by February 15, 2008.
An Idea for SAA Teacher Members...
…that you may want to use right away! Read a letter about the value of SAA parent memberships.
Fall is a nice time of year to offer a Studio Membership to parents. These group memberships provide a simple way to keep families connected to the benefits provided through Suzuki study. A minimum of 10 families is required and dues are US$28/family/year. Checks and a list of subscribers must be submitted at one time by the group. Membership not only provides issues of the Journal sent to each family’s home but also lends support to the goals of the SAA.
New Teacher Recognition Program
After much discussion, SAA plans to begin offering its Certificates of Achievement. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the SAA Office. Applications will be available online this winter.
Flute Teacher News, June 2007
After many years in Montreal, Kelly Williamson recently moved to London, Ontario where she has begun teaching for Thames Valley Suzuki School.
Kim Lorimier recently moved to Needham, Massachusetts, after many years in Western Massachusetts. She is currently teaching in a private studio and working with several apprentice teachers in the Boston area.
Laurel Ann Maurer has been accepted as the newest SAA flute teacher trainer. She has recently relocated from Utah to Vermont. Congratulations!
Suzuki Teachers Recognized
Alice Joy Lewis, beloved Suzuki Teacher and founder of Ottawa [KS] Suzuki Strings, has been named the recipient of a 2007 Governor’s Arts Award. The Governor’s Arts Awards is an honor given annually to distinguished Kansas artists and arts educators; the award has been given annually since 1974 by the governor and the Kansas Arts Commission. Alice Joy will be honored at a ceremony on June 7 in Topeka, KA. In addition to her many achievements in the Kansas area, Alice Joy is well-known and respected throughout the worldwide Suzuki community. She received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the SAA in 1996 and was featured as a keynote speaker at both the 1996 and 2006 SAA Conferences.
Carol Carlson Tarr of Lakewood, Colorado, received the Colorado ASTA Distinguished Service Award for 2007 at the Colorado Music Educators Convention in Colorado Springs on January 19. Carol has served music education in Colorado for 30 years and, in addition to private cello teaching, directs the long-term Suzuki Cello Teacher Training Program at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music. She is a member of the SAA Cello Committee, adviser to the ASJ, member of the 2008 Conference Team. and former SAA Board member.
2007 Scholarship Application
The 2007 teacher scholarship application is now available. SAA teacher members may apply for support to continue their unit training at institutes and workshops or through long-term training programs. Decisions are based upon the required portfolio materials submitted and the audition video (DVD). Postmark deadline for all materials is February 15, 2007.
Every Child Can!
945 people have participated in an Every Child Can! course so far in 2006. Perhaps you’d like to take the course or recommend it to others?
Allen Lieb shared feedback from a participant in his recent ECC course in New York:
“Thank you very much for the wonderful presentation you gave at The School for Strings this past Sunday. It was a wonderful mix of dedicated, intelligent, thoughtful people, and I was greatly stimulated, stirred, and challenged to think more deeply on a subject that is fast becoming the most important in my life: how can I become a better, happier violin teacher?
It was great that so many people were able to take part in the conversation. I did leave with serious doubts, however, that seemed destined to surface, because I think the Suzuki philosophy touches a nerve that many of us creatures of habit forgot we had—i.e., we have a nerve that allows us to rejuvenate or reflect upon our current beliefs, beliefs that can be hard to let go of. But I awoke the next day doubt free.
In the final analysis (of course “final” is never final), Suzuki does not teach anything that I disagree with, and Suzuki does not prevent me from being who I am, and Suzuki in fact encourages me to do more of what is already common sense and good. And the Suzuki Association presents a program for teachers that can enable me to take practical steps to become more engaged in the process of learning how to teach. It is the opportunity for ongoing engagement in the field of education that is a priceless benefit of being connected to the SAA, if one can only make the best of the opportunity that a community of thinking people of good will, talent and creativity does present.
In going to NY, I traded in my old tired self for a new surge of genuine hope, and in this sense I feel my attending the seminar was definitely a growing experience.”
An updated list of offerings is maintained on the SAA website. Please check it out or phone the SAA office for information.