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 Communication

Becky, In addition to student requirements, what are the faculty requirements to ensure that students feel instructors are present, involved, and providing helpful instruction? Thanks, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Research Literacy

Becky, In addition to learning research formatting, what do your massage instructors teach about the value of research and how to find quality research within the massage therapy field. This is such a big issue right now that the reviewers will pay close attention. What suggestions do you have for teaching students to distinguish evidence-informed vs. general un-proven "benefits"? Thanks for participating! Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

SSR Challenges & Successes

Hi KJ, Welcome and thank you for participating in the forum! Yes, the Self Study Reports are most people's nemisis. However, having developed two myself (for two different schools), when given the time, they have proven to be very valuable in school reflection and improvement. And the more thorough and organized they are, the easier it is for reviewers to get a picture of the school and verify compliance. Best of luck to all! Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Distance Education Communication

Patricia, Thank you for explaining how you maintain regular contact with students. Are faculty also required to log on as often? Best, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Research Literacy

Patricia, It is good that you have additional writing support to help teach research formatting. Do the massage courses also work with students on the value of research specifically for massage? The COMTA Competency wants to ensure that massage research specifically is taught and demonstrated by students. How do you students demonstrate proficiency with this requirement? Best, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Curriculum Organization

Patricia, Congratulations on your accreditation decision and for making the commitment. I am glad that the COMTA standards and curriculum Competencies have been useful to you in the process. Please feel free to contact me directly at amyer@comta.org if you have questions. Best, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Student Recruitment

Patricia, Welcome to the forum and thank you for your post. It is always a challenge to balance an "open enrollment" with completion. Has your program considered having a Massage Introduction/Career Exploration course as a pre-requisite? We have seen that work for other large schools. It is not as limiting/rigorous as the other pre-reqs you mentioned, but it does give prospective students a chance to think more about the profession and make a more educated choice. Again, it is a challenge between balancing enrollments and completion. Does anyone else have a comment on now they have worked to achieve this… >>>

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Research Literacy

Brad, Thank you for sharing. So glad to see that research is so well embedded into your program already! Best, Angie Myer

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

Clinic

Brad, Thank you for your description of clinic. As we work through your SSR and consultation together we will have to see if the "work off" program is compliant with the clinic standard 2.7. Clinic must be considered a course (part of tuition and earning a grade and credit). Any pay that they receive afterward is usually not considered to be part of the course. However, we can work together on this. In addition, the government has usually only allowed direct work for tuition as part of Title IV Work Study. Otherwise, students should be paid as employees and then… >>>

Angie Myer

Discussion Comment

SSR Challenges & Successes

Hi Rita, Welcome to the forum and the accreditation process! Thank you for your post. My first experience with COMTA many years ago was very similar to yours. My advice is to remember that you are part of a team and though you may have primary writing responsibility, it is essential you get information from the other staff. It never works for one person to try to do (and know) it all. Further, if your school is renewing there should be an SSR to work from and things like history should be the same. :) Good luck, and please let… >>>

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