Angie Myer

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

Discussion Comment

A few years ago, I encountered a class that challenged all of my teaching and motivational skills. I had been teaching for almost 20 years but was no match for the pessimism and apathy in the class.  It got me thinking a lot, so next semester I started the year very differently.  (I taught English at a career college where nobody wanted to take it.) I spent the entire first class talking about expectations, motivation ("why are you here?") and what it would take to succeed in the class. The #1 thing to improve their skill: CARE. I emphatically… >>>

Lisa, Thank you for your post about distance education. You mention just end of course meetings, but that would not qualify as interactive, regular and meaningful contact as required by the standard. Do you have additional ideas that you have seen work at your institution? Thank you, Angie Myer
Discussion Comment
Lisa, Welcome to the forum. Can you elaborate on what is challenging about this? Thank you, Angie Myer
Discussion Comment
Lisa, Thank you for your post, but can you elaborate on exactly how the instructors are involved during clinic? It sounds more like they are there is a problem, but not directly supervising/evaluating. Thank you, Angie Myer
Dear Frank, Thank you for the feedback. It is good to know that the chart is helpful beyond the SSR process. I agree. When I was Dean of Education at a COMTA-school, we used it as an orientation and development tool for instructors to see how their course(s) fit into the big picture of our program. It can also be essential during curriculum revision to make sure that things are not lost and/or duplication is not occurring. Thank you, Angie Myer
Discussion Comment

Dear Frank, Thank you for sharing what your school does. The one competency element that I notice is missing, however, is teaching/assessing student's ability to locate and evaluate the quality of research articles themselves. Is this done? And/or is there a way to allow students to try and find their own articles and then evaluate them--including your approved list--according to standards of research quality? This is becoming a more important skill as "evidence-informed" practice becomes more expected, and is one the Commission is promoting. You can also use the Massage Research Foundation materials to help both students and instructors learn… >>>

Discussion Comment

Dear Frank, Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your students' experiences. I think you will find that they are fairly similar to others around the country. You also pose an excellent question that I hope others can chime in on--or perhaps there are some answers for you to read in earlier forum posts. The Commission is aware that this is probably the #1 concern with schools these days and is working on a student portal on our website to assist students find a COMTA-accredited school. We already get many phone calls from students around the country looking… >>>

Discussion Comment
Dear Colleen, Thank for your sharing that perspective on evidence-based practice. I am sure it makes all the massage therapy directors happy to hear it's not just them. It does seem surprising, however, to hear that in those fields which we have always been taught are driving by double-blind studies. I wonder why the disconnect. It's worth exploring. I think you are right--the end results of successful patient treatment talks louder than our words. Interestingly, this is the definition of research. :) Thanks, Angie Myer
Discussion Comment

Dear Malia, Thank you for sharing. I encourage you to review the other forum posts from people who share your frustration...as well as those who have access to federal funds and the new burden that can bring. Based on my experiences taking two schools through Title IV, I can attest to the "blessing and the curse" of federal funding. It's best to have all the knowledge right away. But you remind us of the core rationale for federal funding--I strongly believe all Americans deserve a chance at a college education in the field of their choice. We are a better… >>>

Discussion Comment

Dear Boni, Welcome to the forum and thank you for raising this "hot topic" with recruiting and Title IV. This is exactly why the federal government is cracking down on schools--mainly for-profit. Many in vocational education see this move as unfair (and with good reason), but you nailed the reasons it is happening. The USDE is hoping that schools will start monitoring their tuition costs in relation to future income potential and adjust accordingly. Unfortunately, if this is not done, Title IV will become less available for some professions. I hope this doesn't happen because financial aid has been a… >>>

End of Content

End of Content