Amy, Thanks for starting this group. Yes we definitely come from our heart and many people do not understand the dedicated amount of time and love we put into our courses.

Glad to see a group for instructors here. Let's talk education. Skills, classroom behavior, testing strategies, body mechanics. Some of the other groups seem too focused on political stuff. Let's talk about the process of being in the classroom teaching the folks. P>

Just received a review copy of Teaching Massage from Lippincott publishers. Great book for all instructors, new and old!

Hey Guys,

Many authors of Teaching Massage have been asked to present a teaching forum for the World Massage Conference on November 12th to 17th.

Here’s these site:

http://www.worldmassageconference.com/

Ruth Werner, Whitney Lowe, Mary Foster, Cherie Sohnen-Moe, and I have all been asked to participate in a round table discussion.

Check it out…

Thank you all SO much for the comments! Thanks for the kind words, Gloria. And Susan, I say your name about 10 times a day to my students! As I am sure many Licensed Massage Therapists refer to your book as "The Salvo Book," I made sure to teach my students from the same book I learned from...The Salvo Book:-) And, Pete, welcome! I will start a discussion on this subject, as I believe I have many things to contribute, so thank you so much! Keep the comments coming, and make sure to tell your fellow Massage Therapy educators to check us out! Have a great Sunday!

One of the most frustrating experiences I have as a lead instructor and/or program director form time to time - is the lack of experience from new instructors. Schools are taking on individuals who have never taught and just read from books.No Creativity, no skills to work with all types of learning situations etc.

Seriously, I have seen them hire people right out of massage school with NO prior experience. There needs to be standards set.

I have assisted in areas/programs to help develop teaching skills. Unfortunately, most don't want to put the money out to learn the tools they need to be effective instructors. They want the schools to train them. The schools obviously can't afford to just give away a full training program.

I am hoping that changes as schools are popping up everywhere and the quality of education in my opinion has gone down hill in the last several years - based on info provided to me by employers andmy experiences I have had with students in several states.

If you want to teach, that's awesome! However, please do a 'service' to your students and learn how to instruct your classes effectively.

Amy, I am sure there are a plethera of amazing instructors on this network. Let's get them here so we can collaborate! I just invited some to join.

Does anyone have any experience with a website place called SiteBuildIt?

Hey do you have a fun story about a classroom experience? Want to share it? I'm looking for ideas for my next fun massage video.

Hi..what do I have to do to become an instructor? I've been Licensed for 10 years..

Jackie,
As there are no set standards in most places, I would 'highly' recommend you take a massage teaching training course. There is also a new book out called "teaching massage" I highly recommend it. Become a teaching assistant at a massage school to get started and learn the ropes. There is more to teaching from the book. Good Luck

Thank you Gloria for the invitation.

Great to see all of the new members!!
Jackie~~where are you located...are there good Massage Therapy Schools near you? Are there any teaching/assistant positions open where you actually attended Massage School?

Hey Jackie,

Adult learning is more problem-centered (or process-oriented) rather than content-oriented

With this in mind, strategies such as case studies, role playing, simulations, and self-evaluation are most useful.

Instructors adopt a role of facilitator or resource rather than lecturer or grader.

Also keep in mind that experience (including mistakes) must provide the basis for learning activities.

I usually lecture briefly on a content area, and then present a case-study for a class discussion (with a broad spectrum of answers with focus on cause and effect and critical thinking).

Then after full discussion, we re-assemble in small groups for treatment planning and self (and sometimes peer) evaluation of session planning.

Teaching is one of the joys of my life.

I hope this helps.

Instructors - let your students watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsAc6tEAjsk

How to go to a massage interview

Always great to Susan's comments. One day we will every have a Teacher College so that when it time to teach, experienced therapists will have the massage skills AND the teaching skills to elevate the quality of graduates at every school. See my posts at let's talk education and becoming a teacher. Let's keep talking! p>

I am a Chi Nei Tsang abdominal Chi Massage instructor as taught by Gilles Marin and Mantak Chia. We alway refer to our clients as students. This bodywork modality aids clients in digestion and detoxing. As practitioners we are always instructing in ways to help oneself. From Chi Kung practice. Nei Gong meditative practice. to actual hands on practice based in the five elemental model (fire,wood, metal, earth,water). Curious? Listen to my latest podcast interview with a local health food store owner. His customers simply download onto their ipods and listen. Then they call and learn more. Think outside the box!!! http://vchoiceblog.com

Hi everyone..yes, there are a few good schools near me..maybe I could find out if they would teach me? thanks everyone

There is a free online discussion about massage education this Wednesday, October 28.

The time is: 11:00 a.m. Pacific; 12:00 p.m. Mountain; 1:00 p.m. Central; 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Discussion Panelist includes:
• Cherie Sohnen-Moe
• Mary Ann Foster
• Ruth Werner
• Whitney Lowe
• Susan Salvo
• Anne Williams (MC)

There is the link to attend. Hope everyone can make it.

http://www.worldmassageconference.com/abmp

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for that, Susan! That should be helpful for a lot of people, given the line-up;-) Is it pure irony that I won't be able to go to it because I will be teaching at that time? :-P