Suzuki Music Annual
Report
2006 6
Professional Development
2006 has once again been very active and
productive in terms of Professional
Development. The PD Committee of
teacher trainers meets monthly to discuss
policy matters to do with teachers, and to
organise teacher training courses, other PD
events for all teachers, and Parent
Education lectures.
The Primary training course is being
continually refined in 2006 a Journal of
Teaching component was introduced in
order to better assess each trainee's
teaching, to give feedback while they are
still in the course, to give tools for ongoing
self-assessment,
and
to
encourage
questions as they are teaching their first
students.
Courses
In 2006, the Primary Accreditation course
began with a fairly small enrolment (violin,
cello, piano and voice), with, unfortunately,
quite a few drop-outs during the year.
Those who did stay will be a great asset to
Suzuki Music, and have already shown
themselves to be very involved in events
and other volunteer activities.
As happens every second year, a lecture
series
was
run
for
Intermediate
accreditation.
Teacher Graduations
A total of 12 teachers graduated in 2006 at
Primary and Intermediate levels.
Ongoing PD Events
All Suzuki teachers are required to attend a
minimum of 6 hours professional
development each year, on completion of
which they are awarded a registration
certificate, entitling them to be listed in the
Teachers' Directory and to enter students
for graduation. In this way, we ensure that
our teachers keep in touch with the latest
ideas and research on Suzuki teaching and
other educational and child development
issues. These events also provide the
opportunity for many Suzuki teachers to
mingle socially and to discuss issues
informally with their colleagues.
Winter Festival 2006 was very stimulating,
with highly experienced trainers from
overseas, interstate and locally. A highlight
was piano trainer Ruth Miura's moving
presentations, with film examples, about Dr
Suzuki. The Festival continues to be a major
PD event in the annual calendar.
In February, a half-day each of All-
instrument and Piano PD was held; and a
full day of All-instrument Professional
Development in September provided lots of
activity and variety, and was very well
attended. Susie Davies-Splitter gave a
splendid session on Orff activities to
enhance private instrumental lessons and
group lessons; Jenny Thirtle, a former Suzuki
parent, gave a most informative session on
Alexander Technique; we had Suzuki
presenters to give us many ideas for group
classes, and for helping parents to have
happy practice with their children.
A full day of Piano PD, also in September,
was held at President Carolyn Jarrett's
beautiful home by the sea, with guest
masterclass teacher and speaker Louisa
Breen.
Code of Practice
During the year, the PD Committee
developed a Code of Practice for Suzuki
teachers, to be distributed to all teachers in
2007.
Appreciation
I would like to thank all members of the
Professional Development Committee for
their time, expertise and contributions to a
range of important professional issues within
Suzuki Music. Thank you to retiring
Committee member Alan Tooke for his
invaluable and wise contributions to our
discussions.
I would also like to thank all teacher trainers
for their outstanding efforts and dedication
to providing the very best education for
both new and established Suzuki teachers.
Julia Breen
DIRECTOR OF
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
