Become an Endorsed Teacher Trainer

Those seeking to become an FAME-Endorsed Teacher Trainer in John Feierabend’s First Steps in Music or Conversational Solfege Levels 1 & 2 must go through the following 3 stage process:

PHASE ONE – “APPLICATION PHASE”

Interested educators can apply to become a FAME Candidate for Apprenticeship. Applications are received on a rolling basis.

  • Successful completion of all FAME Certification Courses with John Feierabend or an Endorsed Teacher Trainer (FAME Certificate Numbers from each training are required).
    1. First Steps in Music 
    2. Conversational Solfege I & 2 
    3. Conversational Solfege Upper Levels 
  • At least 3 years of teaching experience utilizing the Feierabend approach post-completion of the First Steps in Music Certification Course.  
  • Two current letters of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague referencing specific contributions the applicant has made to improve the music program at his/her current position and, if applicable, their ability to communicate with, lead, and inspire other educators. 
  • Current CV/Résumé. 
  • A personal statement explaining why the applicant is applying to become a FAME Teacher Trainer Apprentice. Thoughts should include what the Feierabend approach represents to them, how the philosophy has influenced their teaching, and how being a Teacher Trainer would not only contribute to their own professional learning, but how they would help support and grow the FAME organization and its members. 
  • Three sequential written lesson plans, each showing the full 8-Part First Steps Workout, as well as all teacher procedures (follow the First Steps in Music Lesson Plan Template). 
  • A video recording, between 25-40 minutes in length, of the applicant teaching one of the three submitted lessons to a group of students. The video must be continuous and unedited and should show the entire 8-Part Workout from the selected written lesson plan.    
  • A 1-2 page reflection paper on the video lesson in which the teacher lists which of the 3 written lessons they chose for the video submission. This reflection should offer perspective on some of the successes and challenges that occurred while teaching the lesson. The applicant may also comment on any unique aspects of or surprises from the lesson that might help the committee better evaluate as they watch the recording.

Download the First Steps in Music Lesson Plan Template

First Steps in Music Apprenticeship Candidate applicants will be notified of the status of their application within 30 days of receipt. 

Application Requirements for Conversational Solfege 1 & 2:

    • Successful completion of all FAME Certification Courses with John Feierabend or an Endorsed Teacher Trainer (FAME Certificate Numbers are required).
      1. First Steps in Music 
      2. Conversational Solfege 1 & 2 
      3. Conversational Solfege Upper Levels 
    • At least three years of teaching experience utilizing the Feierabend approach post-completion of Conversational Solfege 1 & 2 Certification Course. 
    • Two (2) current letters of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague referencing specific contributions the applicant has made to improve the music program at his/her current position and, if applicable, their ability to communicate with, lead, and inspire other educators. 
    • Current CV/Résumé. 
    • A personal statement explaining why the applicant is applying to become a FAME Teacher Trainer Apprentice. Thoughts should include what the Feierabend approach represents to them, how the philosophy has influenced their teaching, and how being a Teacher Trainer would not only contribute to their professional learning, but how they would help support and grow the FAME organization and its members. 
    • Three sequential written lesson plans for one Unit of Conversational Solfege. Each lesson plan should include past/present/future Conversational Solfege objectives as well as the “doing” and “about” portions for the lesson with teacher procedures (follow the Conversational Lesson Plan Template). 
    • A video recording of one of the three submitted lesson plans. The video should be continuous and unedited and reflect the selected lesson plan and teacher procedures. The video must show the complete lesson, start to finish, in which the applicant demonstrates the “Past,” “Present,” and “Future” literacy components of the lesson, as well as the “Doing” and “About” portions of the lesson.    
    • A 1-2 page reflection paper on the video lesson in which the teacher lists which of the 3 written lessons they chose for the video submission. This reflection should offer perspective on successes and challenges while teaching the lesson. The applicant may also comment on any unique aspects or surprises from the lesson that might help the committee better evaluate as they watch the recording.

    Conversational Solfege 1 & 2 Lesson Plan Template

    Conversational Solfege, Apprenticeship Candidate applicants will be notified of the status of their application within 30 days of receipt.

PHASE TWO – “MENTORSHIP PHASE” – For First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege 1 & 2

If approved by the Teacher Trainer Application Sub-Committee (TASC), the Candidate would start the “Mentorship Phase,” which lasts approximately one year. The Mentor may be a Teacher Trainer from the TASC or a Teacher Trainer that the candidate and committee agree upon. This phase consists of:

    • In-person or video observations of the mentor and, whenever possible, other TTs in workshops or conference sessions. (Required: a minimum of 3-5 contacts for the duration of the Mentorship Phase. 
    • Mentor observation of the Candidate’s teaching, in person or video, a minimum of 3 lessons, though more are encouraged whenever possible, throughout the Mentorship Phase.
    • Observation (in person, unless otherwise determined by the TASC due to extenuating circumstances) of at least one day of a FAME certification course with the Mentor and/or another Teacher Trainer, though the Candidate is encouraged to observe more or all of the course whenever possible. 
    • Watch, take extended notes, and create a tentative course outline from the DVD lectures for First Steps in Music or Conversational Solfege, which the Mentor and the Sub-Committee will review. 
    • Application at the regional or state level to present a workshop to music educators, preferably one related to First Steps in Music or Conversational Solfege whenever possible. If accepted, is it should be recorded and reviewed with a mentor.   
    • Do a 1-2 hour “Introduction to” First Steps in Music or Conversational Solfege workshop-style presentation. This lecture must be recorded in front of at least 8 adults (music or classroom educators are preferred). Afterward, the Candidate will review the recording with the Mentor for reflection (from the Candidate) and feedback (from the Mentor). John Feierabend and the TASC will also evaluate this video. 
    • Contribute at least one article or resource (e.g., a planning form, a game, or a worksheet that they have created for use with First Steps in Music or Conversational Solfege) for the FAME “Teacher Trainer Corner” on the FAME website to be vetted by the Mentor, TASC, and Publicity Committee. Submitted resources should be accompanied by a 1-2 page explanation of the resource for the FAME website.   
    • Interact with like-minded Feierabend professionals in person (local and national workshops and conferences) and/or through social media (Feierabend Fundamentals and FAME Regional Facebook pages) to answer questions, offer support, insights, teaching tips, advice, etc.
    • Both the Mentor and Candidate will fill out an online Mentorship Check-In form at the midpoint of the Mentorship. 
    • After Phase Two, the candidate will be invited to participate in an exit interview to provide feedback on the Mentorship Phase.

    The Mentor and/or the Candidate may approach the TASC with concerns at any time during the process.

 

PHASE THREE – “APPRENTICESHIP PHASE”

  • Approximately one year after the Mentorship Phase, the Mentor will meet with the TASC to decide whether the Candidate will become an Apprentice. 
  • If the Mentor and Committee agree that the Candidate is not yet ready, the Candidate may either continue their mentorship or decide (in consultation with the Mentor and the TASC) to discontinue the process. 
  • The TASC will inform the Candidate of their decision within two weeks of the meeting.
  • Once the invitation to become an Apprentice has been issued, the Apprenticeship with  John Feierabend or a Teacher Trainer must be completed within 16 months.
  • Once the Candidate completes their Apprenticeship, the original Mentor or a new one will be available to them for their first year as a Teacher Trainer.

 

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS

  • A FAME Teacher Trainer with a single endorsement in First Steps in Music or Conversational Solfege must complete the entire application process, submitting all the requirements for application, and may only have to complete some of the Phase Two tasks pending the decision of the TASC.
  • College professors seeking their first Teacher Trainer Endorsement in First Steps in Music or Conversational Solfege must complete the entire application process and requirements for the application. However, they may submit a demonstration class with college students if they cannot submit a video of themselves leading a live class with children. Professors must also submit a 60-minute video of a lecture to college students in which they explain First Steps in Music, Conversational Solfege, or CSUL. 

How to apply:

Fill out the online application form.