Become a Brain Curriculum Staff

Brain Curriculum: Teaching Assistant (TA) Program

QUALIFICATIONS TO ASSIST

B1 Successful attendance* at one B1 workshop, one LDB2 workshop, and the approval of an LDB instructor.
B2 Successful attendance* at one B2 workshop and satisfactory assistance** at one LDB1 workshop.
B3 Successful attendance* at one B3 workshop and satisfactory assistance** at one LDB2 workshop.

TA assignments are given on a first come first served basis. In order to ensure that each TA provides information that is consistent with the Instructor, they must TA at least once every three years.If there is a lapse of three or more years, the TA may be requested to review or attend another course prior to assisting again.
In the event that you are unable to keep your TA commitment, we ask that you notify us at least 60 days in advance of the class.Cancellations of confirmed TA positions with less than 60 days notice, three times within a 12 month period, may subject you to a six to 12 month suspension.During this time you will not be assigned to TA any classes, not permitted to schedule for TA positions, and will not be listed as a TA in any publications that are printed.Following this period, re-application to the TA program will be required.

* Successful attendance is based on Instructor, Teaching Assistant, and Staff evaluations of the participant.
**Satisfactory assistance is determined from assisting the entire workshop and scoring 4.0 or better from the Instructor, Participant, and Facilitator evaluations.Scores given are 1 - 5, 5 being excellent.

GUIDELINES FOR ASSISTING

To help make each workshop successful and enjoyable for all involved, the following TA guidelines have been developed.The objective is always to create a safe, supportive environment for each student’s growth and education.Remember, we are working as a team. The better the assistants and instructor work as a unit, the better the class will run.

• On the first day of class, please arrive 30 minutes early to meet the facilitator and to socialize with participants during registration.The instructor may ask you to arrive even earlier for a pre-class TA meeting.
• Before class begins, make sure you know how the lights and temperature controls work, and where the bathrooms and pay phones are located.
• The instructor may ask you to introduce yourself the first morning of class so that the students know who you are.You may briefly explain how the brain curriculum improved your practice.
• On the other days, please be on time for class and all instructor demonstrations.It is very distracting to have someone enter the room after class or demos have started.
• Listen and watch the instructor’s demos carefully.When working with participants, please use the same hand positions that are used by the instructor, even if you learned the techniques differently.Variations tend to confuse participants.If you have a different opinion, please discuss it privately with the instructor during a break.It is very disruptive to debate techniques in front of class participants.
• Please do not engage in side conversations during lectures and demonstrations.
• Although there is no strict dress code, keep in mind that you are representing the Chikly Health Institute.Dress comfortably yet professionally, and please avoid wearing dangling necklaces and bracelets while assisting participants.
• Please be aware of your personal hygiene.Since this work is performed hands-on in such a close environment, it is not uncommon for participants to comment about offensive odors from others.It is a good idea to have some breath mints available, especially after lunch or if you smoke.Many people are also highly allergic to perfumes, even essences.While we ask that you do wear deodorant, please refrain from using anything with a heavy scent.
• The most frequent complaint we hear from participants is that it is often difficult to get a TA’s attention.That is why it is important for TAs to divide up the room and circulate as much as possible to help anticipate problems.There is seldom a need to spend more than a few minutes at each table at any one time.Remember, you are in class to assist, not treat.
• You may be requested to act as a table partner if there are an odd number of people in attendance.Please assist when needed and alternate with the other TAs.
• If you find you are answering the same question repeatedly, or you see several participants having difficulty applying a certain technique, please tell the instructor so that the issue can be addressed with the whole class.Also, if a student is asking an important or interesting question, you may suggest that he/she ask the instructor so that the entire class can benefit from the answer.
• If you have advanced questions, see the instructor at the break or after class.
• Very important: Do not treat anyone, especially another TA, at any time during class days.You must abide by this rule for liability reasons.If you have your hands on a participant during a practice session for more than a couple of minutes, you are treating, not assisting.This is a disservice to all participants.
• Find balance between helping the students and letting them learn.It is good for them to have to struggle a little, but you do not want them getting frustrated or discouraged.So please do not interrupt students unless their hand position is really “off” or if they ask for help.When you notice that students need help, enter their field and wait.When you feel invited, gently approach them and ask if it is OK to offer a suggestion.Be sensitive to their own rhythm and concentration when they are practicing.Let students communicate what they think is happening. Confirm what they are feeling instead of saying anything that could shake their confidence. Positive reinforcement is very important.Tell participants what they are doing correctly and when they have it right.

• At the end of the class, you will be asked to fill out a form that globally evaluates student skills.You only need to evaluate “extreme” students: those who are really good, or those who are really having trouble.
• You will also be evaluated by the instructor, participants, facilitator and fellow TAs.These evaluations will be used to determine your progression as a TA.The score scale is: 5=excellent; 4=very good; 3=good; 2=fair; 1=poor.
• Evaluation scores are averaged.To progress as an assistant, you need an average score of 4.0 or better from the instructor, participant and facilitator evaluations.To become a certified teaching assistant, you will need average scores of 4.5 or better from the participant evaluations and 4.0 or better from the instructor, TA and facilitator evaluations from each TA assignment.TA certification status will be reviewed annually.
• If you have any suggestions about the meeting site or ideas about new books, tapes or other products, please give a note to the facilitator.Please refrain from selling your own inventory while you are assisting.

Enjoy the class and have fun!
If you have additional suggestions for improving the quality of the TA experience, please feel free to forward them to us.You are one of our experts in the field and we value your input.

Becoming a CHI Speaker / Presenter

Please contact the Chikly Health Institute when you would like to present any material from the Brain curriculum
CHI takes pride in the quality of its presentation. For lectures longer than 3 hours or any hands-on professional demonstration permission need to be granted by CHI.
The Chikly Health Institute will provide you as much as possible with support and marketing material for your presentations.