Cgoa & Cyca

[LadyyOftheOak]

I asked this in other places but am always open to hearing different opinions

 

Anyone else a member or certified instructor through CYCA or a memeber of CGOA? While I don't need a paper to tell me what I know how to do already lol I do think that membership in both would be a huge selling point for the classes I've recently started doing as well as helping support an artform that I truly love.

 

I'm going to join CGOA this week and CYCA also asap and take the CYCA crochet instructors certification. I've seen the crochet master program thru CGOA, but do they also have an instructor certification? Has anyone used this certification or master crochet certificate as a selling point for classes? If so, did it help draw students in?

[loopyliz]

I am a member of CGOA and started the Certified Instructor Program through the CYCA. Over the past eight years I've taught private lessons, classes at chain stores, through adult education programs, cultural arts centers and yarn shops, and for me, neither of those things seemed to have any direct impact on my success as an instructor. However, if I could say I had completed the CYCA certificated instructor course then it might offer some level of security to a new shop or store that was unfamiliar with me or my work. But, in my experience, samples of my crochet work, together with a listing of classes taught, references, and a professional attitude have enabled me to get all the teaching work I wanted.

 

Similarly, in my experience, there was no impact on my class enrollment because of these memberships. Once I was hired by the shop, rarely was any significant bio information regularly provided as a "selling point" to students. Most students are satisfied that if you are employed by a shop then you must know how to teach, and they're not out there looking for initials behind the instructor's name. Even in advertising for private lessons, I would not say I have been negatively impacted because I have yet to complete the CYCA course.

 

So I would say that if you believe you will want to continue to teach and to do so at additional venues, then pursuing the CYCA course would probably be beneficial (it certainly won't hurt) and just might give you a "leg up" on the competition. As for a CGOA membership, again, there may be some benefit to being a member of a "professional organization" and I think it is valuable to support the furtherance of our craft, but I do not believe that in my case there was any direct connection between my getting a teaching opportunity over anyone else because of these "credentials." Again, in my experience, store owners want to see samples of your work and get a sense from your personality that you will be able to communicate effectively enough to teach. I've taken many classes (not crochet) from highly decorated instructors that didn't connect with students and simply couldn't teach, even though they supposedly were "experts" in their field.

 

On the other hand, if you have aspirations of becoming a "big-time" instructor -- teaching at Chain Link Conferences or regional events -- then I would say CGOA membership and CYCA certification would be very important. Most of these instructors appear to be credentialed.

 

Just my worth.

 

Liz

[LadyyOftheOak]

Thanks! That's kind of what I thought... Michaels didn't ask about these things at all but do have a biography on the board highlighting some of your work in their classroom. I will keep it all in mind though, as you said.. it surely can't hurt

[eurolyons]

Thank you so much for the info loopyliz...this is something I eventually want to do and just for my own self esteem I want to pursue the courses through CYCA. I already have a membership with CGOA...little bit at a time...

 

I do agree though that when it comes right down to it, one's personality and how they connect with the students and their own examples of their work is going to be more important than the initials behind the name in the long run...

[LadyyOftheOak]

That's how I feel about it too One thing my store manager said when she interviewed me was that she loved my personality and how I looked her in the eye when I answered a question and was willing to laugh at myself. I believe personality and being able to connect with people is a HUGE help.

 

Also, one thing I've done this week is copy my class list so I have phone numbers for my students. My class was on Monday, I left them all my phone number if they had questions or problems they could call me and one of them did. The others I called and checked back on to see how they were doing and just generally touch base with them.

 

I now have 2 of them coming back on Tuesday when my next class is and excited about it. I guess it helps that they don't feel like you're just trying to get them to buy the initial class but are willing to continue helping them and make it a point to keep in touch with them outside of class as well.

[eurolyons]

When the time comes that I teach a crochet class, I'm gonna lift that from you Donna, that's a great idea...

 

And email addresses and/or IM's would be good too if someone has a problem. I once spent 3 hours in the middle of the night helping a friend in Canada work on a shawl...(not saying you have to spend 3 hours doing that...)

 

When I'm in the states I do Crochet Bees with my family and they have been a lot of fun...it's part show and tell, part instruction, definately visiting and just having a great time...

[LadyyOftheOak]

It's not an idea I came up with until I wanted to get in touch with them to tell them we'd added a class next week, then it was like DUH Yanno moron, it might be a good idea to KEEP the numbers and names so you can contact them about upcoming events as well as added classes. I'm going to keep a database of students actually.

 

I know people won't take classes forever, but if they feel like they "mean" something to the instructor beyond a fee they are more likely to tell their friends about it as well. Beyond that, Michaels advertises these classes but they are encouraging me to promote them as well for my own sake. So shoot, if I'm going to have to help promote them I want it to be as fruitful as possible lol

[eurolyons]

I believe your classes will do just fine then...that's great...