Teacher Development

Practical and Personal An Inquiry into What Teachers Do

November 9, 2017 by Merlin Thompson

Editor’s Note This article first appeared in the American Suzuki Journal volume 46, no. 1, Fall 2017, but a section of more than 600 words was omitted during the publishing process. It is reproduced here in a printable format. We… Read more ▶

Holding Two Concepts In Ones Mind  Episode 4

June 7, 2017 by Sarah Bylander Montzka, Margaret Watts Romney

Students, Teachers, Parents, Administrators: we are all interested in growth and change. In this episode, Sarah Bylander Montzka explains the skill we can all use of “holding two concepts in one’s mind at the same time”—a skill which can nurture growth in students, organizations, and ourselves. Read more ▶

Suzuki Organ Down Under

July 1, 2014 by Jeremy Chesman

In January 2014, I had the opportunity to teach at and attend teacher training workshops at the Geelong Organ and Piano Summer School in Victoria, Australia. As a Suzuki organ teacher, this week opened my eyes to the potential of… Read more ▶

Conferences and Retreats We Need You

September 18, 2013 by Stacy Garner

As a first-time attendee, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’m now convinced that planning to attend SAA events the weekend before Memorial Day for professional development is one of the best things I can do, both for myself and for my teaching. Read more ▶

Reflections on My First SAA Conference

September 18, 2013 by Christine Goodner

I am a goal setting type of person—perhaps it’s a result of being a Suzuki violin student since the age of three. I love making goals, working to meet them, and sometimes, revising them along the way. Looking forward to… Read more ▶

The UWSP Suzuki Strings Mentoring Program at 15 Years What It Is and How Far Weve Come

May 1, 2012 by Pat D'Ercole

The UWSP Suzuki Strings Mentoring Program (SSMP) was launched September 11–12, 2010. The three brave mentees arrived on the UWSP campus from Lincoln, NE, Watertown, WI, and Monument, CO. Read more ▶

Congratulations to New Teacher Trainers

September 15, 2011

The SAA would like to welcome five new Teacher Trainers: Amy Matherly Charlton, MA Violin Nightingale Chen Powell, OH Piano Priscilla Jones Bainbridge Island, WA Cello Sharon Jones London, ON Suzuki Early Childhood Education Haukur Hannesson Uppsala, Sweden Cello ESA Level V Trainer, added to SAA Registry We look forward to their service in this new and… Read more ▶

Ask the Experts 15 Cost of Teacher Training

October 18, 2010 by MaryLou Roberts

In this troubled economy, how can teachers be expected to afford the high cost of teacher training? Every business expects to re-invest some of the profits back into that business. The percentage can vary, from 10% to 50%, with newer businesses… Read more ▶

Congratulations to New Teacher Trainers

October 4, 2010

The SAA would like to welcome three new Teacher Trainers: Blake Brasch Cello Mount Prospect, IL Timothy Durbin Violin Carlisle, KY Sarah Salz Piano Miami, FL We look forward to their service in this new and important capacity. Looking for a Trainer? Search for Teacher Trainers by instrument or location. Read more ▶

Upcoming SPA courses  how to host

August 26, 2010

Upcoming SPA Courses 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, and to allow for the sharing of ideas… Read more ▶

Suzuki Principles in Action SPA Overview

June 21, 2010

What is SPA? 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, and to allow for the sharing of… Read more ▶

Suzuki Principles in Action New Teacher Training Course

February 16, 2010

Suzuki Principles in Action (SPA) is a course designed to help teachers incorporate Suzuki’s principles effectively in their teaching. The course is designed to focus on how to teach, not what to teach, and to allow for the sharing of… Read more ▶

Congratulations to New Teacher Trainers

November 13, 2009

The SAA would like to welcome three new Teacher Trainers:Mary Hofer Voice Stevens Point, WIJoseph Pecoraro Guitar Winston-Salem, NC James Hutchins Violin Silver Spring, MD These Trainer Candidates completed the final steps in the approval process following the ISA Teacher Trainer Conference in Boston last month. We look… Read more ▶

Ask the Experts 4 Teacher Mentors

November 4, 2009 by Ruth Engle Larner

Last summer, focus groups at summer Institutes were asked to submit questions for a panel of “Suzuki Experts” to answer. This is the fourth installment. How do you arrange for someone in the community to mentor a new teacher? While there is… Read more ▶

Attention Teachers

August 17, 2009

Have you been a Suzuki Teacher and SAA Member for 3 or more years? Have you complete Units 1-4, ECC, and the Practicum or SPA? Then you may be ready to apply for the new SAA Certificate of Achievement! Check it out! See… Read more ▶

New Online Training Registration System

July 17, 2009

The teacher training course registration process has been moved online for Institutes this summer, and, if all goes well, will be implemented for all teacher training venues: workshops, apprenticeships, etc. What does this mean for teachers? Most of all: less paperwork to… Read more ▶

Certificate of Achievement

June 16, 2009

The SAA recently launched its Certificate of Achievement, Level 1, and applications have started to come in! The Suzuki Association of the Americas is committed to excellence in teaching and to establishing standards within the framework of the Suzuki philosophy.… Read more ▶

The PromiseThe Challenge A Suzuki Teachers Pledge

June 16, 2009

At the SAA’s April 4 Annual Meeting, a brand new Teacher Development video was unveiled. We are proud to present this new short film, “The Promise…The Challenge: A Suzuki Teacher’s Pledge.” It gets to the heart of Dr. Suzuki’s vision… Read more ▶

Certificate of Achievement Level 1

April 22, 2009

The Level 1 Certificate of Achievement application is now available online. Requirements include registered training in Books 1-4 plus Practicum, 3 years of SAA membership and Suzuki teaching experience, commitment to Aspirational Ethics Code, and video of teaching and student performances. Read… Read more ▶

Reflections on taking a Practicum

December 10, 2008 by Maria del Pilar Sarmiento

I would like to share with you my reflections on having taken the Piano Practicum which was offered as part of the 7th Suzuki Festival held in Bogotá in June, 2008. This practicum course was one of the most gratifying experiences… Read more ▶

Certificate of Achievement Level 1

June 12, 2007

We are delighted that you are interested in qualifying for SAA’s Level 1 Certificate of Achievement. The Suzuki Association of the Americas is committed to excellence in teaching and to establishing standards within the framework of the Suzuki philosophy. Recognizing… Read more ▶

Suzuki in the Schools

January 18, 2006

Philosophy The Suzuki Association of the Americas, Suzuki in the Schools Committee recommends and encourages the utilization of the following aspects of the Suzuki method and philosophy for any elementary or secondary, public or private school program wishing to incorporate Suzuki… Read more ▶

Scholarships

June 21, 2005

En español Beca para Professores Latinoamericanos More Scholarships Many Summer Institutes and local Suzuki organizations offer scholarships for students and/or teachers as well. See other scholarship opportunities SAA Teacher Development scholarships provide tuition assistance for pedagogy study at approved Summer Institutes, Latin American Festivals, workshops,… Read more ▶

Teacher Training

June 21, 2005

Application Forms Teacher Training Video Audition Scholarship Application Membership Form Upcoming Training Every Child Can! Courses Summer Institutes Workshops (year round) How to Become a Suzuki Teacher Take the Every Child Can! (ECC) course, an introduction to the Suzuki Philosophy and Method. Submit your teacher training video audition at least… Read more ▶

My Suzuki Training GetAway Vacation

February 1, 2003 by Becky Mitchum

I love my husband, my daughter, my students, my dog, my garden and my home, but not always in that order. As dear as these are to me, my idea of a vacation is time away from “wife-ing,” mothering, cooking,… Read more ▶

All Teacher Development pictures

Share your photos

Video

All Teacher Development videos

Events