Trainee Evaluation & the Graduation Process
At the AIFTT our emphasis is on individualized training—one in which the faculty, and the Educational Director, make ongoing contact with each trainee. This means that supervision both directly, in relationship to developing skills, and indirectly, in terms of ongoing interactions, is inherent in the training process. Therefore, each trainee’s progress and learning is closely followed, supported and guided throughout the duration of the AIFTT program.
A personalized approach and an emphasis on small group learning allows us to monitor trainee progress through the program in a collaborative and supportive fashion. This means that we can identify areas where someone lacks knowledge or ability, develop a plan of action and follow up as the trainee implements the plan.
Continued participation in the AIFTT is contingent upon the manner in which the trainee conducts him or herself during the training. Upon enrolling in the program the trainee agrees to comply with all rules and directives of the administration, its officers, and representatives, including the program faculty. Should a trainee exhibit any unacceptable and unprofessional behavior that disrupts the learning process for him/herself, or for others, or should the trainee demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to learn the required materials, we will address the matter immediately. Should any problem arise, we will attempt to resolve it directly with the trainee in question. Only after two or more such attempts fail will dismissal be considered. In the unfortunate event that such action be deemed necessary, we believe it is most fair to the individual (and the rest of the trainees) to act early in the program, when possible.
Trainees are eligible to be authorized to teach group Awareness Through Movement® (ATM) lessons, on a provisional basis, only after successful completion of the first two years of the program. If the trainee drops out or is terminated from the program after two years, but before graduation, s/he loses the right to teach Awareness Through Movement lessons, unless s/he has requested, and received, a leave absence from the administrator. Such a leave of absence is contingent upon the trainee’s continuing with the training in the AIFTT or another accredited program. Trainees can be authorized to teach individual Functional Integration® (FI) lessons only after successful graduation from the program.
Graduation from the AIFTT requires in-class demonstration of the ability to teach Awareness Through Movement classes and give Functional Integration lessons as well as full participation in the training, including completion of a community-based project.
Graduation also depends upon full attendance throughout all the segments. Any trainee missing up to 5 (five) days in any one training year, or up to 10 (ten) days over the course of the entire program, with any of those days being consecutive, will be required to make up lost time and content in a timely fashion before being eligible for graduation. Tuition will not be reimbursed nor credit granted for any missed days or parts thereof.
Should a trainee miss more than 5 (five) days in any one training year, or more than 10 (ten) days over the course of the entire program, s/he is required to make a formal written makeup plan with the Educational Director—this makeup plan usually includes being required to make up class time at another accredited training program at additional cost. Furthermore, the director reserves the exclusive right to ask any trainee to receive further training before being considered for graduation. Another condition for graduation is that all program tuition must be paid in full.
Upon successful completion of the program, the trainee will be authorized and qualified to practice as a Feldenkrais® teacher. At that time each trainee will receive a Certificate of Graduation that makes him or her eligible for membership in all Feldenkrais Professional Associations or Guilds recognized by the International Feldenkrais Federation and to apply for the status of "Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner" from one of those organizations.
Please note: The laws of a given country or state may vary with regard to the use or application of the movement lessons and procedures taught in the AIFTT program. The trainee is responsible for making his or her own inquiry regarding all local laws, licenses, and regulations that may affect his or her ability to practice the Method, both in terms of teaching group classes and individual hands-on lessons. Any additional requirements that must be met in order to practice in a specific country or state are entirely the trainee’s responsibility. The administrator, its officers, and representatives make no representation or warranties concerning the use or application of the movement lessons and procedures taught in this program other than that the program has met all requirements for accreditation by the European Feldenkrais Training Accreditation Board. For information about the practice of the Feldenkrais Method® of Movement Education in any specific location please contact the local professional association.
