Certificate of Achievement

At last, the time has come to announce the inauguration of the first stage of the SAA Certificate of Achievement program.

For a number of years, the SAA has been planning to implement a program which will provide opportunities for Suzuki teachers to receive Certificates of Achievement in recognition of their accomplishments. The need for such a program has grown with the growth of the Association and the increasing demand for Suzuki teachers. As teachers enter the profession, they have repeatedly expressed a desire for such a program, and it has already been introduced in the ASJ, vol. 35#2 and #3 and discussed at the 2005 and 2007 Leadership Retreats and Teacher Trainer meetings.

What will the Certificate Program provide?

  • A means for SAA to recognize teachers for their accomplishments.

  • A way to provide information about Suzuki teachers’ training levels to parents, employers and the wider community.

  • Clear achievement goals for new teachers, and incentives for teachers to continue professional development.

  • More opportunities for feedback to teachers about their teaching.

  • A more professional image for Suzuki Education.

Details about the Level One Certificate (which will be implemented immediately) are given below.

We look forward to your participation. Applications will be available soon.

Requirements for the Level One Certificate

  1. 5 years of Suzuki teaching.

  2. 5 years of continuous Active Membership in the SAA.

  3. SAA-registered Teacher Development Units (Books) 1-4. (Unit requirement presumes the completion of ECC as a pre-requisite and acceptance of required audition video.)*

  4. SAA registration of the new course, Suzuki Principles in Action (SPA). This course is currently in draft form with a target date of January 2009 for implementation. Until December 31, 2009, SAA registration of a Practicum course will be accepted in lieu of the SPA course.

  5. Adoption of the SAA’s Aspirational Code of Ethics.

  6. Evaluative Component: a DVD recording (two copies) of the applicant’s teaching and of performances of the applicant’s students as follows:

    • Teaching: An uninterrupted 5-8 minute segment of one lesson with a student working anywhere in Books 2-4. This segment should show the teacher working step by step with the student to achieve a positive change in the student’s performance.

    • Performance: Two student performances, from memory, one piece or movement by each student. Repertoire must be chosen from different Suzuki books and from Books 2 through 4. (e.g., one student playing one piece or movement from Book 2 and the second student playing from Book 4.)

    • Re student eligibility for both the teaching and performance recordings: Students must be pre-college age and have studied with the applicant for at least two years or from the beginning of study. At the time of recording, students should be working no more than one book beyond the piece performed. Performances of pieces must be with accompaniment (if applicable).

Note: Registered Units, student lessons and student performances must be on the same instrument for which the Certificate of Achievement is desired.

The Level One Certificate will be a prerequisite for the Level Two Certificate. Level Two details, currently under discussion, will soon be ready for presentation.

Last updated July 17 2008