Angie Myer

About me

Angie Myer has twenty years experience as a teacher and administrator in public schools and higher education. She is currently serving as a Content Accreditation Specialist and Curriculum Consultant for the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). In this position she works with massage and aesthetics schools in the accreditation process, providing guidance, reviewing self study reports, and preparing analyses for the Commission. Prior to holding this position, Angie worked as Director of Operations at the International School of Professional Bodywork and Dean of Education at Mueller College of Holistic Studies where she was integral in their COMTA accreditation.

Angie holds a Masters degree in Curriculum & Instruction and specializes in competency-based curriculum design. She is also a certified Holistic Health Practitioner and has worked as a massage therapist in private practice, clinical, and resort spa settings. Prior to her work in the holistic health industry, Angie was Associate Professor of Teacher Education at the Community College of Denver after teaching elementary school.

Activity

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Distance Education

Mark, I am so glad that you brought this up. I think too often administrators and instructors get fearful that all students are trying to cheat, and are terrified that online is just too easy to do so. However, if the course is well-structured and the material engaging enough, it doesn't become a cat-mouse game with security. Great distinction between "need" and "want"...and one all instructors should remember, online or not. An interesting side note: When the standards were being revised for distance education and the standard about security in assessments was being debated, we realized that we didn't have… >>>

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Degree Programs

Deby, Thank you, Deby. I think you offer some valuable considerations as the profession moves forward. How to make it relevant, yet still well-rounded. I also believe that even the most "academically" focused material can be taught in a kinesthetic way to allow all to learn to the best of their abilities. That is always the challenge. Best, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Research Literacy

Mark, You bring up a great point, and one that the Commission is addressing in its latest accreditation standards revisions. Instead of focusing on the library as a physical place, the emphasis will now be on incorporating learning resources into the curriculum, in particular to assist with research literacy. We are hoping that by "tweaking" the standards a bit and reorganizing them so that library/learning resources are now in the Curriculum standards, it will encourage others to think in terms of the ever-evolving, all-encompassing "library.\" the internet provides. We are eager to get people's feedback during the Public Call to… >>>

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Self-Study Report Challenges

Hi Kelly , You have certainly touched on one of the most challenging aspects of teaching. And, unfortunately, I found in teacher education that time management skills come mainly with experience. "How much time will something take?" A veteran teacher will just have a "sense" about this that new teachers have to learn by doing. Of course keeping students on track (especially massage students finding insights into their own "healing") is a challenge everyone has I am sure. I always apologized beforehand for any future interruptions I made in the interest of keeping the class on track. However, one could… >>>

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Faculty Professional Development

Hi Kelly , Welcome to the forum and thank you so much for your perspective. To help explain for everyone, by highlighting andragogy vs pedagogy, I am assuming you believe it's important to distinguish more between teaching adults (andragogy) and teaching children (pedagogy). Have you found that when you educate your instructors on more adult learning theories that they have more success in the classroom--and thus don't have to worry about "classroom management"? Have you found this to be true with your youngest students as well? I know that has often been the most challenging for some massage instructors (the… >>>

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Generating Effective Feedback

Richard, Thank your for your perspective! Why do you think the therapists don't report self-employment? Do they not think it's "legitimate", or are they working without licensure? We try to encourage our schools to encourage students that self-employment is a right and responsibility in this field and that it can most certainly be considered "placed." I wonder why there is such reluctance in this area. Thanks, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Degree Programs

Hi Deby, Thank you for sharing the other perspective. Is that why your school has not included a degree? I know for some small schools it is also the added requirements for offering general education courses (like math). If these requirements were less onerous do you think your school would do it? Or do you not feel that it is necessary or there is a market for it? I have always found it interesting that so many profess the importance of a degree, but so few are actually offered or have high enrollments. Thoughts? Thanks for sharing! Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Completion, Placement, Licensure

Hi Mark, Welcome to the forum and thank you for participating, Mark. I think your comment will surprise many who see these items as only relevant at the end (completion) of one's program. Thank you! Can you tell us more about what is said to students and how this culture permeates as a positive force rather than a stressful numbers-based one? Thank you, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Effective Assessments

Deby, Oh, I love that idea! Thank you so much for sharing it. It literally takes the learning out of the classroom and makes it so much more real for them. I can certainly see how that addition alone could actually improve placement rates. Thanks, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

SSR Challenges & Successes

Hi Pete, Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your experiences. I am sure there are a lot of heads nodding in agreement--especially the head-spinning part. In addition to the challenge of just focusing on the instructor's piece of the puzzle, we also need to remember that some people's brains just don't process information in the linear way as demonstrated in the chart. It's easy to use for the reviewers, but not always the faculty. We are actually open to other ways to demonstrate the competencies other than that chart, but haven't quite figured it out. If you… >>>

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