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Suzuki Principles in Action
 | February 14 - February 15$210.00
Presented in-person. |
What is Suzuki Principles in Action?
What is Suzuki Principles in Action?Suzuki Principles in Action (SPA) is a course designed to help teachers incorporate Suzuki’s principles effectively in their teaching. The course focuses on how to teach, not what to teach. It allows for the sharing of ideas among all instrument areas. SPA is based on Dr. Suzuki’s belief that knowledge is an important first step, but “knowledge plus 10,000 times” is what produces ability. This important principle, which teachers frequently explain to their students, applies equally to the art of teaching. SPA courses can happen in person or online.
What are the principles that SPA reinforces?
The inspiration for SPA came from the need to implement the knowledge gained from unit courses into the reality of day-to-day studio teaching.
Topics include:
- Setting standards of excellence for students at all levels
- Identifying the appropriate time to move ahead in the repertoire
- Incorporating regular, productive review work in daily teaching and practicing
- Incorporating ear training and learning by ear in daily teaching
- Focusing attention on tone development
- Giving productive, balanced, frequent feedback to students
- Communicating effectively and working productively with parents
- Structuring lessons to facilitate successful progress
These are all issues that surface repeatedly in training courses and in communications among colleagues. The course offers thoughtful exploration of these topics—topics that spring from the Suzuki principles that have been articulated in the Every Child Can! course and other Teacher Workshop courses—to help us to move towards a realization of the potential that Suzuki education offers.
Who should attend?
Any teacher—from the very experienced to the novice—who has completed training through Book 1, is an SAA member and has taught for a minimum of one year. Participants must have a current studio due to pre- and post-course work. Teachers of all Suzuki instruments are welcome!
What special values result from taking the course?
SPA provides tools for assessing and evaluating one’s own teaching. Course materials include guides, articles, and activities to reinforce and expand on the ideas presented in the class. The course is required for those applying for the SAA’s Certificate of Achievement, Level 2, which is recommended for those working toward becoming Teacher Trainers.
Assignments
The course includes required pre-course and post-course assignments, which are submitted online and reviewed by the facilitator. Both assignments require you to video record yourself teaching a lesson and then self-evaluate it.
You will receive a link to the pre-course assignment in your confirmation email. The pre-course assignment is due Friday, January 30th. The post-course assignment will be sent when the course ends and is due Tuesday, March 31st.
Who is the course facilitator?
Nancy Jackson is the Assistant Director of the Western Springs School of Talent Education, in Western Springs, Illinois, where she teaches both violin and viola. She is also adjunct faculty at Roosevelt University in Chicago, teaching Suzuki Pedagogy. She is a registered Violin Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and is active in training young teachers locally and at summer institutes.
Nancy holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Northwestern University. Nancy has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement from the SAA and in 2017 was named Outstanding Studio Teacher by Illinois ASTA. Her Suzuki teacher training was done with Margery Aber, James Mauer, and Carol Dallinger. She founded the Suzuki School of Music in Bismarck, North Dakota, in 1986. She has also taught at the University of Evansville (IN) Suzuki program, and Western Illinois University.
Nancy enjoys spending time with her two cats, Carmen and Musetta, and her great-nephews, Jeremiah and Elijah.
Facilitator Training
This course will be used to train future SPA facilitators. Facilitators-in-training will observe the course and will also view pre- and post-course assignments. If you have any questions or concerns, please write to us at the email below.
Register here on this page!
Up to 15 teachers may participate in this in-person course. The tuition fee is $210 and is due at the time of joining the roster. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 29th.
All transactions are final and non-refundable.