Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are important and valued components of The D'Ambrogio Institute teaching team. As a TA, you work closely with class Instructors and Facilitators to portray therapeutic concepts and techniques that are growing ever more critical to the good health of people from all walks of life. Being a Teaching Assistant is also an important part of learning to be a better therapist.

If, after reading the material contained on this site you have additional questions, or if you are ready to schedule an assignment, please email our Educational Staff Manager.

Curriculum Qualifications

TBB1: Integration Techniques: Total Body Balancing 1 TA:

• Successful attendance at two TBB1: Integration Techniques: Total Body Balancing 1 Workshops and a TBB2: Integration Techniques: Total Body Balancing 2 Workshop.
  
  
• Written recommendation from a DAI Instructor.

TBB2: Integration Techniques: Total Body Balancing 2 TA:

• Successful assistance at one TBB1: Integration Techniques: Total Body Balancing 1 Workshop.
  
  
• Written recommendation from a DAI Instructor.

PRTUQ: Muscle Techniques: Positional Release Therapy for the Upper Quadrant

PRTLQ: Muscle Techniques: Positional Release Therapy for the Lower Quadrant

METUQ: Joint Techniques: Muscle Energy Technique for the Upper Quadrant

METLQ: Joint Techniques: Muscle Energy Technique for the Lower Quadrant

• Successful attendance at two of the applicable class (ie, PRTUQ attend twice)
  
  
• Written recommendation from a DAI Instructor.

All Other DAI Courses:

• Subject to Instructor recommendation.

Program Guidelines

To help make each workshop successful and enjoyable for all involved, the following TA guidelines have been developed based on evaluations received over the years from participants, instructors and facilitators. The objective is always to create a safe, supportive environment for each student's growth and education. Respecting and supporting the students’ learning experience, other teaching assistants and all seminar staff while maintaining clear and professional boundaries is paramount. Remember, we are working as a team. The better the assistants and instructor work as a unit, the better the class will run.

• Instructors are in charge of the course and Facilitators are in charge of the overall seminar.
  
  
• Meet with your workshop Instructor prior to the beginning of the first day of class.
  
  
• On the first day, be a little early to meet the Facilitator and socialize with participants during registration.
  
  
• Before class begins, make sure you know how the lights and temperature controls work and where the bathrooms are located. The following days, be on time.
  
  
• Avoid side conversations during lectures.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Although there is no strict dress code, keep in mind that you are representing The D’Ambrogio Institut. Dress comfortably yet professionally, and please avoid wearing dangling necklaces and bracelets while assisting participants.
  
  
• When assisting, use the same hand positions that are used by the Instructor. Variations tend to confuse participants. If you have a differing opinion, discuss it privately with the Instructor during a break as it is very disruptive to debate techniques in front of class participants.
  
  
• Be aware of your personal hygiene and avoid disturbing others with strong or offensive odors. Breath mints are recommended, especially after lunch or if you smoke. Remember many people are highly allergic to perfumes (even essences) and while we ask that you wear deodorant, refrain from those that are heavily scented.
  
  
• Make yourself available - the most frequent complaint we hear is that it is difficult to get a TAs attention. Divide the room up and circulate as much as possible, attempting to anticipate problems. Do not spend more than a few minutes at a table at any one time.
  
  
• You may be requested to act as a table partner if there is an odd number of people in attendance. Please do so 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.
  
  
• Positive reinforcement is very important. Tell participants what they are doing correctly and when they've got it right. Praise is the best learning motivator.
  
  
• If you have advanced questions, see the instructor at the break or after class.
  
  
• If you have any suggestions about these guidelines, the class, the meeting site, or products, please give a note to the facilitator. You are our experts in the field and we value your input.
  
  
• Please refrain from selling your own inventory items when assisting.
  
  
• 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.

Maintaining TA Status

It is crucial that the information conveyed by Instructors and TAs be timely and consistent. To ensure this level of quality information, you must TA at least once every 3 years. If there is a lapse of three or more years, you may be required to review or attend another course before assisting again.

TA certification status is reviewed annually. You must assist at least once each year with satisfactory scores to maintain certification.

Scheduling an Assignment

TA assignments are given primarily on a first come, first served basis.

To schedule an assignment, contact DAI at 800.311.9204 or locally at 561.622.4334or email us at info@iahe.com

If you are unable to keep your scheduled assignment, notify us at least 60 days in advance of the class.

Three cancellations of confirmed assignments with less than 60 days notice, within a 12-month period, may subject you to a suspension of up to one year. During that time you will not be assigned to assist any classes, permitted to schedule a TA assignment, nor be listed as a TA in any UI publication. Following this period you will be required to reapply to the TA program.

Appreciation *

$75 tuition discount for assisting at a three-day workshop. ($25/day for other workshops.)

• Tuition discounts may be applied toward most future participating IAHE workshops or Beyond the Dura Research Conference.
  
  
• Multiple tuition discounts may be combined and applied toward a class.
  
  
• To receive a discount you must attend the entire workshop.
  
  
• The number of TAs receiving tuition discounts per workshop will depend on the size of the class. For example, we will award tuition discounts to the first four TAs to sign up for a typical Total Body Balancing 1 workshop.
  
  Teaching Assistants also receive:
• up to 15% discount on select educational materials purchased at the workshop you are assisting.

*Tuition discounts are given and applicable on most but not all UII, BI and DAI seminars. Please call us at 561.622.4334 to inquire about a specific seminar you may be interested in. Discounts are not redeemable for cash or product.

Registration Incentive Program

We value your help in referring other healthcare practitioners to our continuing-education classes.

• For each referral registered in an introductory-level workshop (most DAI, CS1, LDT1, NM1 and VM1 classes) you will receive 10% referral tuition voucher.
  
  
• Tuition vouchers are given after the completion of the class.

In order to receive credit for a referral, you must be registered as a Promotional Sponsor and the applicant MUST mention your name when registering for the class. To become a Promotional Sponsor, please contact us at 800.311.9204 or 561.622.4334.