Teaching Principles

This course explores how our clarity of intention when teaching determines the effectiveness of our teaching.  Readings will include selected chapters from each of Alexander’s books, where he specifically talks about teaching.  We will look at how what Alexander wrote about teaching reflects the principles of the Technique; whether his ideas about teaching changed over time; and the nature and significance of those changes.  We will also examine models of teaching other than Alexander’s to understand the principles and belief structures underlying them.  We will experiment with how working from a particular model affects what we say and do to teach, and, most importantly, how we transform our own understanding of the principles of the Technique into our personal model of teaching. 

The curriculum of Teaching Principles also looks at the ethics of teaching the Alexander Technique and some aspects of marketing. 

In both Principles in Practice and Teaching Principles, we look at the social, scientific and political movements of both Alexander’s time, and what preceded it, to try to understand where some of the values and beliefs that underlie his teaching and philosophy have come from.  We will also look at how Alexander’s values and beliefs have influenced how people were and are trained to teach the Technique and the impact of that influence on teaching the Technique today.  

Hours, Schedule and Cost:
Teaching Principles is three terms long.  A term is 10 weeks, and we meet twice weekly, for two hours each time.  

Each term is $800; the yearly cost is $3,200 

Schedule  
We are physically located in Seattle, Washington, but do much of our teaching—including teacher education—online.  Rather that dictate that the Program will start on a particular week, and continue for the full 10 weeks of each term, we survey the students who apply and find days and times that everyone can meet.  We have found this means of scheduling to be very successful, and its flexibility allows people from around the world to participate, allowing for a rich and creative environment for learning.

Applying to the Program: To apply to The Performance School Teacher Education Program, please let us know at:

Contact_us (at) performanceschool.org 

and tell us why you want to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique.  

Successful graduation from The Performance School Teacher Education Program is based on satisfying The Performance School Graduation Criteria