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The Future of ATM® Teacher Training Programs - About the Survey

 

Background Information

Some key objectives for accrediting ATM® teacher training programs include:

  • Increase public awareness of the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education

  • Enrich the lives and health of more individuals through ATM lessons

  • Build a wider interest in the public to have Feldenkrais® ATM classes, and to take Feldenkrais training programs

  • Have a path available for those who only want to teach ATM lessons

In 2024, NATAB organized two Zoom Cafés to present key findings from the ATM teacher training program pilot projects and possible next steps. NATAB then conducted a survey to hear the thoughts, concerns and level of support from practitioners, ATM teachers and trainees, about the idea of developing policy to accredit ATM Teacher training programs. See:  NATAB Report: Survey on the Future of ATM® Teacher Training Programs. 

After reviewing the reports and surveys, the FGNA Board of Directors authorized NATAB to develop policy for accrediting “ATM Only” teacher training programs, as well as two-stage programs to train both Feldenkrais® ATM teachers and Feldenkrais practitioners. See: Summary of Recommendations to FGNA Board of Directors: Future of ATM Teacher training programs.

Draft ATM Teacher Training Program Policy

NATAB has now developed a draft policy for accrediting ATM teacher training programs, which we are providing for review and feedback. 

As part of developing this draft policy, NATAB has:

  •  reviewed what was learned through the two pilot projects;

  • reviewed feedback from the 2024 Zoom Cafés and survey, with particular note of concerns  which could be addressed in the policy;

  • looked at what other training accreditation boards (TABs) had developed to guide ATM teacher training programs in the regions they serve. (DTAB and AusTAB have also developed policy for this);

  • held additional meetings with the pilot project educational team as well as other experienced Trainers and Educational Directors, to get feedback on key policy considerations; and

  • worked carefully with the recently-approved international Training Accreditation Guidelines (TAGs) for “regular” 800-hour training programs.

The aim is to have the ATM teacher training policy be as congruent with the international TAGs as possible, only making adjustments for those policy provisions that are specifically requirements for ATM-only teacher training programs.

If approved, this policy will allow for the accreditation of ATM teacher training programs,but will not require that such programs happen. 

Please note that this policy for ATM-only teacher training programs is being developed for the region served by NATAB, which includes North, Central and South America. Graduates from the ATM teacher training programs may not be recognized by every other guild and association.

It is anticipated that ATM teacher training programs accredited in the region served by NATAB would likely only happen in countries where local Feldenkrais guilds/associations are interested in adding a membership category for ATM teachers.