Massage Educator Newsletter

Connect with students
Remembering what it was like to be in their shoes, Brandon Smith, director of Laurel Highlands Therapeutic Academy in Pennsylvania, says students deserve authenticity. "I've found that transparency and empathy go a long way as students respect honesty, and when they see that you’re navigating challenges calmly, they tend to mirror that energy."

Speak the student's language
Maybe most importantly for today’s student, "have an understanding of communication styles outside of your own generation and culture," says Sharicka Washington, owner of Institute of Skin Science in New Hampshire. "Develop an understanding of neurodiversity, communication, and learning styles other than your own. You need to be able to connect with and support everyone in your program equally."

Reduce the fear of failure
Instructors are always looking for ways to engage students on a deeper level; helping them get to a place where they're less afraid of failure and more in tune with their critical thinking skills. Sometimes it's the little things that help us get them there. Michael Jacobus, senior instructor and education director at Discoverypoint School of Massage in Seattle, says his team has figured out how to take the fear of failure out of classroom quizzing practice: "We use plush cubes that we can insert cards into (we do A, B, C, D, True, False) and then give these to students when we do multiple choice practice/reviews, etc. Students can hold up the correct answer to their chest without calling out a wrong answer. Instructors can give enough time for all students to answer before moving on to the next question. Students who need more time to chew on questions appreciate this."

HOW INSTRUCTORS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN LIVES EASIER
As an instructor, you have a busy schedule and demands on your time from all directions. Planning is an important tool at your fingertips.

Plan ahead, but remain flexible
"Teaching in a hands-on, therapeutic field like massage therapy can be incredibly rewarding but also demanding," Smith says. He encourages instructors to make their lives easier by planning ahead while staying flexible. "I like to take a few minutes at the end of each week to reflect on what worked well and where students struggled. This helps me adjust upcoming lessons so I’m teaching to the group’s current needs rather than sticking rigidly to a plan."

Anticipate the questions
Washington says as part of lesson planning, consider frequently asked or expected questions, even myths about a topic that could come up with students, and include the answers in your presentation. "Our textbooks often have superficial information that requires more in-depth explanations for a well-rounded understanding of a concept, and presentations have an opportunity to flow better if we can supplement additional information when needed," she says.

CREATING A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Sometimes it’s the practical things and sometimes it’s the big-picture things that make your school great. Here are bits of advice on both.

Be a critical observer
Be willing to embed yourself in your culture, says Washington, who has owned her school for over 10 years. "For new school owners—schedule your time in a way that allows you to personally experience the daily life of a student, instructor, or other staff members to truly understand their daily ups and downs, while allowing yourself to step back and improve the environment, systems, etc., as needed."

Level up instructor training
For instructor development, Jacobus offers this advice: "ABMP Cornerstones is a phenomenal teacher training tool. Use it. It’s so relevant and useful. Consider attaching a pay bump to faculty that complete the whole course." (Check out Cornerstones: The ABMP Instructor Development Program for yourself at abmp.com/cornerstones

Set strong standards
Solid communication between instructors, administration, and clinic staff keeps everything running smoothly, Smith says. "Clear expectations about scheduling, grading, clinic flow, and student professionalism reduces stressors. Specifically for student clinic, consistency is key. Setting professional standards early (punctuality, client interaction, documentation) helps students transition from 'learner' to 'professional.' Encourage them to view clinic time as real-world experience, not just a requirement."

Remember the why
When days get long and patience grows thin, Smith says never forget the reason you are there. "For anyone new to teaching or managing a therapeutic education program, my biggest piece of advice is to remember why you started. It's easy to get caught up in schedules, grading, and logistics. However, at the heart of massage therapy education is helping people grow personally and professionally through healing work."

READ ALL THE GREAT IDEAS FROM THESE INSTRUCTORS:

• "Tips for Instructors, Administrators, and School Owners with Michael Jacobus," LMT, BCTMB, senior instructor/education director, Discoverypoint School of Massage in Seattle, Washington
• "Tips for Instructors, Administrators, and School Owners with Brandon Smith," director, Laurel Highlands Therapeutic Academy in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
• "Tips for Instructors, Administrators, and School Owners with Sharicka Washington," school owner/president, Institute of Skin Science in Stratham, New Hampshire

CHALLENGE: A STUDENT DOESN'T FOLLOW CLASSROOM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
Students who blatantly disobey instructors typically have one of two attitudes: Either they feel policies do not apply to them or they do not agree with or understand the premise of the policy. 

Tips

• For "these rules don't apply to me" students, be ready to stand firm in the need for them to follow policies. Do not take it personally if the student becomes verbally combative. You may be the first adult to make them commit to following rules.
• For "I don’t agree with your rules" students, have rationale for why a policy exists and how it protects the classroom environment. The majority of students will follow the policy once they understand the "why" of it. Speaking to safety in the classroom usually works to express the reasoning.

CHALLENGE: A STUDENT WANTS THE CLASS TO MOVE AT A FASTER ACADEMIC PACE.
It is nice to have exceptional students who want to excel, but it becomes challenging when they become frustrated and bring negativity into the classroom toward their classmates and/or instructors.

Tips

• I share with my "faster-pace" students that we can have private discussions or study sessions to provide greater depth of knowledge and insight into their desired area of interest.
• I also explain that sticking to the established curricula is a part of my job to ensure every student receives the same baseline knowledge.

To help ease challenging situations with students, review key classroom policies, procedures, and ways to resolve disputes early in the student timeline. Once students see that classroom policies and procedures ensure a healthy and safe learning environment, the vast majority are willing to follow them. For the rare few who won't, those are the individuals we recognize as unwilling to learn what it takes to become a massage therapist in all aspects of the title.