Intensives: Required for Teacher Accreditation

TEH (pronounced deh) is a Japanese word Justin ascribed to teachers. Translated it means inner sincerity. When Justin was asked several times over the years about setting up courses for teachers to receive continuing education he said “no.” He felt teachers had enough integrity or inner sincerity to take it upon themselves to continue their own exploration and delve into the practice without making it mandatory in order to keep their skills up to date.

One opportunity for teachers to continue their exploration is to audit (without a course fee) Teacher Accreditation. Years ago, teachers attended an accreditation course with the main focus to support and help the teacher candidates attending. Now that candidates are arriving better prepared, the focus has changed to teachers attending for their own continued learning.

Why are teacher candidates coming better prepared to accreditation courses? Twenty years ago, Ed Altman, who was the only teacher trainer at the time, felt candidates could be better prepared by implementing two things.

One was to have teacher candidates work with two teachers to prepare them for the accreditation course. Both teachers would be responsible for signing the candidate’s referral form.

Ed also created a 3 ½ day teacher prep course – aptly named “Intensive” – taught only by a teacher trainer. Ideally this course is attended by teacher candidates four to six months before attending Teacher Accreditation. The primary focus of the Intensive is to work with teacher candidates to help them understand how to apply the principles of the form to the movements and to recognize where their strengths and weaknesses are with regards to the movements. In the intervening months between the Intensive and Accreditation, students continue to work with their teachers using the feedback received at the Intensive.

As more and more teacher candidates took advantage of the Intensive it became evident that it was making a difference. At Teacher Accreditation courses it was obvious those candidates who had attended an Intensive and those who had not. Usually nine out of 10 had attended. The quality of how the new teachers moved began to affect the quality of the whole TCC teacher community. Daniel Pienciak remembers Justin commenting on this at one conference, noting how teachers were moving much better than in the past.

The purpose of the Intensive has expanded to include serious students who may not want to become teachers but who want to take their practice to another level, and teachers who want to review, refine and receive feedback on their own practice.

It is always an inspiration to teacher candidates to see teachers working on and examining their own practice at a course. It is a perfect example of what Justin expected of teachers, to take it upon themselves to continue their own learning rather than having to be made to take courses to keep their skills up to date.

Intensives have always been strongly suggested when someone is preparing to take Teacher Accreditation but they have not been mandatory. I do know teachers who, when preparing their student for Accreditation, made it mandatory as part of their working with that student because they knew the value of an Intensive.

I facilitated the first online Zoom Intensive this August, with tech and hosting support by Pam Towne. Much to my surprise it was a success. I had my reservations as to whether I could communicate effectively through this media, and would I be able to evaluate attendees moves. It has become apparent that this is the perfect solution for folks who would like to attend an Intensive but who may not be able to travel or who are limited in funds.

We will continue to hold Intensive and Teacher Accreditation courses via Zoom until we can meet again safely in person. We also see the advantage of offering an Intensive every year going forward, online for those who cannot attend in person. Intensives have proven their worth in supporting teacher candidates to be better prepared when attending Teacher Accreditation. For this reason and because they can now be attended online, starting in 2021 teacher candidates will be required to attend an Intensive taught by a Teacher Trainer prior to attending Teacher Accreditation.

We teacher trainers (Pam Towne, Dan Pienciak and I) feel this will only enhance the experience of those attending Teacher Accreditation. Being prepared as best as they can ensures they will enjoy their experience.

It is my wish as Guide of the TCC Community that we continue to explore ways to expand our community, accrediting teachers who understand the full beauty and power of Justin’s gift, and that teachers take Justin’s wish to heart that they continue their journey of exploring the TCC form and all that it embodies, knowing it is a never-ending journey for personal growth.