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News:
November 6, 2020 – Free Live Webinar: Resources for Educators
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) and the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) announced they will co-host a free live webinar on Resources for Educators….. Continue reading… >>
August 10, 2020 – AFMTE Announces 2020 Election Results
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) announces that all members of the 2020 slate have been acclaimed on either the Board of Directors (BOD) or the Leadership Development Committee (LDC)…. Continue reading… >>
July 20, 2020 – AFMTE Releases “COVID-19 Related Recommendations for Massage Therapy and Bodywork Educators”
Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) has released a new set of recommendations for massage therapy and bodywork educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations, compiled by a Task Force of leaders in therapeutic massage and bodywork education… Continue reading… >>
News:
June 1, 2020 – AFMTE Changes the Name of the Educator Certification Credential
Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) is announcing a change in the name of its certified educator credential. It will now be known simply as Certified Massage and Bodywork Educator (CMBE). Due to some confusion between other acronyms and the original CETMB credential, the Board of Directors has decided to change the name, effective immediately. Over the next several weeks, the AFMTE will update all materials and marketing to reflect the new name. Continue reading… >>
May 11, 2020 – AFMTE Announces New Mentorship Program
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is launching a new mentoring program. This 10-week program will match individuals seeking mentorship with mentors. Accepted participants will attend a webinar to launch the program, meet weekly for 8 weeks as mentor/mentee pairs, and attend a wrap-up webinar. This inaugural program will run from June through August 2020. Continue reading… >>
December 17, 2019 – ABMP Members Receive $100 Toward CETMB Application Fee
Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) is excited to announce that Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) will sponsor $100 of the CETMB application fee for any educator who is an ABMP member. This offer demonstrates the commitment to excellence in massage education shared by ABMP and AFMTE. It will be available to the first 50 ABMP members who apply for the Certified Educator of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (CETMB) credential. The CETMB credential is unlike any other certification in our field. Continue reading… >>
June 27, 2019 – AFMTE Is Now Accepting Applications for Certified Educator Credential
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) is now accepting teaching portfolio applications for the Certified Educator of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (CETMB) credential. Classroom teachers and CE providers who feel they meet the Core Competencies of the National Teacher Education Standards for Massage Therapy Teachers may now submit their portfolio of evidence. Continue reading… >>
June 1, 2019 – AFMTE Announces 2019 Educator of the Year Award Winners!
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education today announced the winners of the 2019 AFMTE, Biofreeze, and BonVital’ Educators of the Year Award: Javier A. Perez Torres, LMT, MNSc, MBA is the 2019 Teacher of the Year, and Tammy Roecker, CEP, LMT, CBE, CD is the 2019 Continuing Education Provider of the Year! Continue reading…
April 17, 2019 – AFMTE Announces First Recipients of New Certified Educator of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Credential
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) today announced the first group of recipients of its new credential, Certified Educator of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. This new credential recognizes therapeutic massage and bodywork educators who have demonstrated meeting the teaching standards outlined in the AFMTE’s Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers. Continue reading…
March 25, 2019 – Alliance Welcomes New Project Manager for Educator Certification Program
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) is pleased to announce and welcome Deanna Sylvester as Project Manager for the Educator Certification Program. As project manager, Sylvester will provide invaluable support in planning, executing, and implementing the AFMTE educator certification program. Continue reading…
November 7, 2018 – Are you the next AFMTE, Biofreeze, Bon Vital’ Educator of the Year?
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education announced today that they are now accepting applications for our 2019 Educators of the Year Awards. The Alliance published the NTESP Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers in 2013. This document includes ten standards, each of which describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes that form the basis for effective and successful teaching. As part of this, the AFMTE, Biofreeze and Bon Vital’ established the Educators of the Year Award (1 for a teacher in a school setting and 1 for a continuing education provider). This award honors excellence in massage and bodywork education and serves to foster a culture that supports raising the standards of excellence in massage and bodywork education. Continue reading…
June 1, 2017 – “The AFMTE Announces 2017 Educators of the Year Recipients!”
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 AFMTE, Biofreeze, and BonVital’ Educators of the Year Award. LaWanda S. Allen, LMT, MMP is the recipient in the teacher category, and Ralph R. Stephens is the recipient in the continuing education category. This award honors excellence in massage and bodywork education and serves to foster a culture that supports raising the standards of excellence in massage and bodywork education. Meet the recipients by Registering today
April 11, 2017 – “Meet the Presenters for the AFMTE 2017 Educational Congress”
The AFMTE is excited to announce the stellar line-up of presenters for the 2017 Educational Congress . Attendees can receive up to 28 hours of continuing education with the conference and optional pre- and post-conference workshops.
Watch presenter interviews about the upcoming breakout sessions on the AFMTE Facebook page or YouTube channel.
“As a long-time instructor, I have never stopped relying on colleagues for support and guidance. I can’t wait to share my classroom management solutions during Proactive Classroom Management at this year’s AFMTE Educational Congress, and to learn how expert teachers from across the country apply their creativity to classroom challenges!” Julie Goodwin
“Register before April 30 to SAVE $100….”
April 6, 2017 – “Alliance Requests Proposals to Complete Next Phase of NTESP”
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education announced they are requesting proposals for an educational consultant to vet and finalize their Teacher Certification under the National Teacher Education Standards Project. According to the AFMTE website; proposals need to be submitted by April 21, 2017. Their evaluation team will process the bids and announce the awarded contract by May 1, 2017. Details surrounding the RFP can be found on the Alliance website: https://www.afmte.org/education/rfp/ .
According to the Certification Process Committee that has worked on this project for the last 12 months, continue reading…
April 4, 2017 – “Meet the Companies that are Elevating Standards of Excellence in the Education Community”
The Alliance announces conference exhibitor floor is almost booked out for the 2017 Educational Congress. The AFMTE encourages Massage and Bodywork leaders to meet the people and companies that support our educational goals with products and services at the upcoming 2017 Educational Congress..According to conference planning committee chair, Nancy Dail, “These companies are committed to excellence and participate in continue reading…
January 23, 2017 – “The FSMTB has filed a lawsuit in New York against a group that purports to tutor people who want to take the MBLEx.”
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) has initiated litigation in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Benevolence Exam Tutoring Center located in Flushing, New York, Chang Liu, ten identified individuals, and other yet to be identified “John Doe” defendants, alleging copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract and other claims arising out of the theft and sale of questions from the FSMTB Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).click here for more detail
December 2, 2016 – Are you the next AFMTE, Biofreeze, Bon Vital’ Educator of the Year?
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education announced today that they are now accepting applications for our 2017 Educators of the Year Awards. The Alliance published the NTESP Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers in 2013. This document includes ten standards, each of which describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes that form the basis for effective and successful teaching. As part of this, the AFMTE, Biofreeze and Bon Vital’ established the Educators of the Year Award (1 for a teacher in a school setting and 1 for a continuing education provider). This award honors excellence in massage and bodywork education and serves to foster a culture that supports raising the standards of excellence in massage and bodywork education. Continue reading…
October 18, 2016 – AFMTE Announces the 2017 Education Slate and Schedule for Congress
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) shared their 2017 Biennial Educational Congress official schedule today. The second Educational Congress will take place over five days at the end of July 2017 in Tucson, AZ. In addition to the pre- and post-conference events, the exhibit hall, keynote, and the general and breakout sessions are scheduled on July 27, 28, and 29.
Pre- conference education all day workshops include: Mental Health First Aid and a School Success Day.
The Keynote presenter is Montana massage school owner, Ruth Marion, and there are nine breakout sessions on the latest hot topics, strategies, and tools to elevate standards of excellence within the massage and bodywork education community. Continue reading…
July 30, 2016 – 2016 AFMTE Annual Business Meeting Held Online
On July 14, 2016, the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education held its Annual Business Meeting online. Their bylaws state they must hold an annual business meeting with their membership. The purpose of the meeting was to update their members about business and committee work during the previous year. The meeting agenda included a financial report, election information, updates on their National Teacher Education Standards Project, the 2017 Educational Congress, association updates, and committee reports. They also allotted time for questions and answers so that all attendees had an opportunity for their voices to be heard and concerns addressed. Continue reading
June 28, 2016 –2016 Annual Membership Meeting to be held online Make plans now to attend
The Alliance sent a notice to all their members today regarding 2016 Annual Business meeting inviting them to attend. Please mark your calendars now for July 14, 2016, 2:30-4:30 PM EDT and make plans to attend.
“We are hosting an online annual business meeting in the even years and an in-person meeting during the Educational Congress in the odd years.” Shared Stan Dawson, Vice President for the Alliance.
The AFMTE bylaws state that they must have an annual business meeting. This online format makes…continue reading
June 23, 2016 – Alliance Shares 2016 Candidates for Election
The Alliance announces the Slate for Board of Directors and the 2016 election process to their members. Since there is no conference this year, an election will occur online rather than from the floor at the conference. The Alliance shared that Su Bibik and Gloria Lawrence would be resigning Board seats when their terms end on August 31. The AFMTE has five board seats up for election and the Leadership Development Committee submitted a proposed slate to the members to consider. People are encouraged to visit the AFMTE 2016 Election Slate page and watch the interview of each candidate. Alliance members will have the opportunity to accept the slate or nominate individuals to contest one or more of the available seats.
The Leadership Development Committee issued statement reminding individuals that “alternate candidate(s) must be voting members in good standing and must have agreed to be nominated.”
If no new candidates are put forward during the 2016 Annual Business meeting, the candidates will be… continue reading
June 7, 2016 – 2017 Educational Congress Call for Presenters Deadline Extended
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) is extending its presenters’ deadline until August 17 2016 for its Biennial Educational Congress, that will take place over five days at the end of July 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to the pre- and post-conference events, the exhibit hall, keynote, and general and breakout sessions are scheduled for July 27, 28, and 29. The 2017 theme is “Elevating Standards of Excellence.”
We are seeking the following presenters:
– Keynote
– 2-hr and 3-hr Presenters
Presentation Topic Ideas: Continue reading…
June 1, 2016 – The AFMTE, Biofreeze & BonVital’ 2016 Educators of the Year Winners!
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 AFMTE, Biofreeze, andBonVital’ Educators of the Year Award. Julie Goodwin is the recipient in the teacher category, and Dale Alexander is the recipient in the continuing education category.
“To me, teachers are the ultimate dreamers: I begin each class with the feeling of ‘What if…’ in my mind, and the hope that I can bring my students along on that journey. As massage educators, this is our challenge, our responsibility, and our joy,” said Julie.
The pool of applicants was of high caliber. Each applicant had to rate themselves on 4 out of the 10 Standards from ourNTESP Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers. These standards describe the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that form the basis for effective and successful teaching. This award honors excellence…continue reading
May 11, 2016 – Have You Seen the New Alliance Assessment Tool for Educators?
The National Teacher Training Curriculum Development Committee released for public comment an initial draft of the Assessments Table for Standard One of the Core Competencies, as well as the Introduction and Glossary for the Assessments Table. These are to be used in coordination with the Core Competencies for Massage Therapy and Bodywork Teachers and provide a template or “map” to guide educators through the process of demonstrating competence in each of the standards.
The AFMTE has provided a twelve question survey for structured public feedback. The Table combined with the Core Competencies (CC) form the framework… Continue reading
April 15, 2016 – Universal Companies to be the Platinum Sponsor for the 2017 Educational Congress
The AFMTE announced in their March Newsletter that Universal Companies’ committed to be the Platinum Sponsor for the 2017 Educational Congress .
“We are honored to have such wonderful support from our members and thrilled that Universal Companies was the first to commit to generously collaborate in the 2017 Biennial Educational Congress” shared Nancy Dail, Conference Planning Chair for the AFMTE.
Universal announced their decision to be the 2017 Platinum Sponsor in a meeting with AFMTE Marketing Consultant Stephanie Beck at the opening reception for Universal’s new Wellness and Training Center in Torrance, CA. Continue Reading…
March 21, 2016 –
Hurry Apply Today – Presenter Applications 2017 Educational Congress Accepted for Limited Time!
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education announced today that they are accepting applications from potential presenters for the 2017 Biennial Educational Congress.
“We are most interested in individuals that embrace our philosophy toward our members and industry stakeholders.” Nancy Dail, Chairperson for the Congress Planning Committee stated. “Our overall audience is focused on Massage Therapy and Bodywork education–that means school owners, administrators, faculty, CE providers, and businesses that are connected to this part of the community would be the best fit for the Congress program” adds Dail.
Since the Alliance does not offer technique classes at the conference, modality-type presentations are not appropriate for this particular event. Dail confirmed that presentations will be 2-3 hour format and provided this list of past topics as ideas: Continue Reading …
March 15, 2016 – Save the Date! 2017 Biennial Educational Congress Announced
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) announced today details regarding the next Biennial Educational Congress. The 2017 theme is “Elevating Standards of Excellence.” The second Educational Congress will take place over five days at the end of July 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to the pre- and post-conference events, the exhibit hall, keynote, and general and breakout sessions are scheduled for July 27, 28, and 29.
March 1 , 2016 – Open Letter to Massage & Bodywork Community Re: REACH Program
The AFMTE has received many complaints and concerns about the REACH program and its implications. The AFMTE has identified concerns about the proposed REACH program and cannot support the initiative without further explanation from the FSMTB. Please see our 11-30-14 press release regarding direct feedback regarding the continuing education approval process.
Our Past President, Pete Whitridge attended the recent FL-BOMT meeting in St. Augustine, FL. He put the AFMTE on record as being opposed to the program for the reasons CONTINUE READING….
February 3, 2016 – AFMTE Opposes SB568 – Please Share with Your Colleagues
Bill SB568 to Eliminate the Wisconsin Massage Board – A bill is being proposed to eliminate the Wisconsin Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board and transfer its functions to the Medical Therapy Examining Board (which was formerly the Physical Therapy Examining Board). While the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education believes that consolidation of licensure bills can be of benefit in terms of streamlining processes and government oversight, we maintain that the profession of massage and bodywork is unique, diverse, and within that paradigm, the specific expertise of a separate examining board offers the best public protection at the lowest level of government licensure oversight.
Also, reducing the number of members representing massage from six (or seven) down to one will greatly reduce the ability of the board to govern massage and bodywork. The field of massage and bodywork is quite diverse and it is vital to have a variety of people on the board with direct experience of the breadth of curriculum and its encompassing components. CONTINUE READING…
December 16, 2015 – Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations Meets to Discuss Issues Facing the
Profession
The Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations met December 4, 2015 in Chicago, IL to continue dialog on a variety of issues facing the massage therapy profession. The coalition comprises seven organizations participating on an equal footing, in an atmosphere of mutual participation and respect. Two representatives from each of the organizations participated in the daylong conversation.
Seven topics were on the agenda and each organization provided an update on their organizational initiatives. CONTINUE READING…
October 15, 2015 – Alliance Announces Letter Writing Campaign to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) to Change Its Ways!
This coordinated effort by both the Alliance and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) with the Integrated Health Policy Consortium (IHPC) is an effort to influence NCCIH to appoint the mandated number of licensed integrative health care practitioners on its Advisory Board. Action must be taken before January 2016! READ MORE…
August 21, 2015 – 2015 Historic Educational Congress a Success!
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education and the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) are pleased to announce that the 2015 Educational Congress was a great success! This biennial event brought together about 215 people, including leaders from all of the major stakeholder organizations (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, American Massage Therapy Association, Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, Massage Therapy Foundation, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and the Alliance), as well as professional leaders from the field of massage and bodywork education (Academic Consortium of Complementary and Alternative health Care, American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia, and Society for Oncology Massage). This unique gathering was the largest U.S. educator’s conference in the massage and bodywork profession.
The congress was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on the University of Minnesota campus from July 23-25, 2015. Several organizations planned their own organizational meetings for the days before or immediately after the Congress. An Industry Panel provided the audience with the opportunity continue reading…
June 15, 2015 – Alliance Adds President Elect Position and Selects 2015 President Elect
The Alliance announces a change to their organizational Bylaws. This change creates a President Elect and authorizes an Immediate Past President position. Both new positions will serve on the Executive Committee which runs the day to day operations of the Alliance. After much discussion and a recommendation from the Leadership Development Committee (LDC), the Board of Directors has established two new officier categories: Immediate Past President (IPP) and established a President Elect position. The issue of succession was set in motion after Pete Whitridge, the current President announced his desire to step down as President and “move the Alliance to our next level of development and growth.” Pete has served as President since July 2010. He will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and fill the position of Immediate Past President until his term expires in August 2016.
After thorough interviews with the LDC and discussion during the May 5, 2015 board meeting, the Board unanimously selected Cherie Sohnen-Moe as our President Elect. She will serve on the Executive Committee until she is installed as President at our first Board of Directors meeting on July 26, 2015. After that date Cherie will serve as the Alliance President continue reading…
May 29, 2015 – The AFMTE, Biofreeze & BonVital’ 2015 Educators of the Year Winners!
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 AFMTE, Biofreeze, and BonVital’ Educators of the Year Award. Juliebeth Mezzy is the recipient in the teacher category and Ariana Vincent is the recipient in the continuing education category.
“As educators it is our duty to provide our students with quality education. But as the needs of our community and students continues to change and increase, so must the standard of teaching. It is important that the standards of teaching continue to elevate in order to keep up with the continually evolving expectations of students, continue reading…
May 13, 2015 – Alliance adds new member to Board of Directors
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is excited to announce that Penny Shumaker Jeffrey has filled a vacancy on the Board of Directors and will serve as our Membership liaison. Penny is a NC licensed massage and bodywork therapist and a graduate of the Body Therapy Institute. She holds a master’s degree in Nutrition and a doctorate in Science Education from North Carolina State University. Her graduate research focused on continue reading…
November 4, 2014 – Issues Letter to FSMTB regarding REACH and CE Approval Process
The Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations (ABMP, AFMTE, AMTA, COMTA, FSMTB, MTF, and NCBTMB) has a role to play in balancing and enumerating roles within our field. Now that the NCBTMB has ceded its role in initial licensure to FSMTB, the coalition needs to meet, discuss, help formulate, and then to support the roles and boundaries of all national organizations. We request that the FSMTB and NCBTMB take action on these items:
FSMTB hold off on making changes to the suggested License Renewal Recommendation until the Federation has delivered MBLEx Practice Exam module, the Study Guide Module, and any other pending projects. The Renewal Recommendation is controversial and needs more input from licensees, CE Providers, and Schools.
The FSMTB concentrate on their stated goals, including initial licensure issues, provide improved board member training, continue reading
November 3, 2014 – AFMTE SUPPORTS CONSOLIDATION AND COOPERATION IN A SINGLE LICENSING EXAM AND A CONTINUING EDUCATION APPROVAL PROCESS
(Fort Pierce, Florida – November 3, 2014) – As a representative of the community of continuing education (CE) providers, and schools that sponsor CE at their institutions, the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) has maintained a position that there needs to be a single national-level approval process for CE providers and courses.
A decision last month by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) to “implement a program that provides reliable, unbiased and appropriate vetting of continuing education providers and the classes offered to the consuming public” is of deep concern continue reading….
August 14, 2014 – Alliance for Massage Therapy Education Provides Feedback to Federation of State Massage Therapy Board Regarding the Model Practice Act
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) issued an official statement to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board (FSMTB) thanking them for the opportunity to comment on the publication of the FSMTB’s proposed Model Practice Act for massage therapy (MPA). After reviewing the document, AFMTE board members shared their feedback based on personal beliefs, public comments, member feedback, an evaluation of the MPA and a thorough discussion of the potential effects of this act.
The Board issued this formal statement… continue reading
August 1, 2014 – Alliance Announces the AFMTE, Biofreeze & Bon Vital’ Educator of the Year Award Winners!
Whitney Lowe is Continuing Education Provider recipient and Cate Miller is Teacher recipient
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 AFMTE, Biofreeze, and BonVital’ Educators of the Year Award. Cate Miller is the recipient in the teacher category and Whitney Lowe is the recipient in the continuing education category.
The pool of applicants was of high caliber. Each applicant had to rate themselves on 4 out of the 10 Standards from our NTESP Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers. These standards describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes that form the basis for effective and successful teaching. This award honors excellence in massage and bodywork education and serves to foster a culture that supports raising the standards of excellence in massage and bodywork education. The recipients are chosen based on their experience, teacher training taken, and how well they meet the core competency standards.
June 12, 2014 – Annual Membership Meeting to be held online
Alliance for Massage Therapy education announce plans for 2014 annual meeting
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education announce final dates for the Annual Membership Meeting will be July 14, 2015. Normally their annual meeting takes place during the yearly Alliance Conference. Since the Alliance made the decision to forgo a 2014 Conference to prepare for the 2015 Educational Congress, the annual business meeting will be held online.
This is a new endeavor, that is most cost effective for members to participate in the comfort of their surroundings without having to travel.
March 10, 2015 – AFMTE, Biofreeze, and BonVital’ 2014 Educators of the Year Award
We are proud to announce that we are now accepting applications for our 2014 Educators of the Year Awards.
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education recently published our NTESP Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers. This document includes ten standards, each of which describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes that form the basis for effective and successful teaching. As part of this, we have also established the Educators of the Year Award (1 for a teacher in a school setting and 1 for a continuing education provider). This award honors Read More…
February 5, 2014 – Statement of Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations
“We believe that the efforts of work group members have resulted in an extraordinary, ground-?breaking body of work. Their Blueprint, and the underlying process described in the report, gains strength from its intellectual integrity and independence.”
The “Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations” comprises seven organizations listed at the end of this statement. Our organizations play different roles, each contributing to the betterment of the massage therapy profession while also educating the public about benefits of professional massage therapy. We share a national focus: each of the seven organizations has members or constituents throughout the United States. Each of us seeks a thriving massage therapy profession that enhances the health and well-?being of clients throughout the United States. We also share a desire to help our profession beyond serving each organization’s self-?interest.
Our Coalition initially convened in 2011 to identify and address opportunities to advance the massage therapy profession. Two senior leaders from each organization participated in that initial meeting and three subsequent meetings.
Read More…
September 3, 2013 – The Alliance Deems Complete Collaborative Support at 2013 Conference
At few conferences do educators have access to every educational organization quite like they did at this year’s Alliance for Massage Therapy Education Conference. Ruth Werner, President of the Massage Therapy Foundation, Anne Williams, Director of Education for ABMP, Karen Armstrong, VP of the FSMTB, Kate Zulaski, Executive Director of COMTA, Sue Toscano, Chair of the NCBTMB, and Winona Bontrager, President of AMTA participated in a panel discussion and answered questions from attendees.
From the beginning, the Alliance’s mission has been to serve as an independent voice, advocate and resource for the entire education sector – from entry-level massage training programs through post-graduate studies. The Alliance provides that common ground where all can have a seat at the table and share the common goal of raising the standard of Massage Therapy Education. Read More…
June 4, 2013 – Alliance Announces Winners of Educators of the Year Awards
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education announced the winners of the AFMTE, Biofreeze and Bon Vital’ Educators of the Year Award (one award for a teacher in a school setting and one award for a continuing education provider) on the AFMTE Facebook page. David Lauterstein is the recipient of the Teacher Award and Elaine Stillerman is the recipient of the CE Provider Award.
Each winner receives a one year AFMTE Gold Membership, one free registration to the 2013 AFMTE Annual Conference, a $1,000 stipend (for travel, lodging and miscellaneous expenses) to be reimbursed at the conference, and more than $1,000 in FREE product packages from Biofreeze and Bon Vital. Both winners will have a five-minute slot at the 2013 AFMTE Conference to highlight their accomplishments and commitment to excellence.
“I am honored to be receiving this award and recognition from my colleagues. As a teacher of continuing education for nearly 25 years, I am very proud to share and espouse the same values in the quality of education as the AFMTE. We all must continue to encourage excellence in our teachers and our students,” said Elaine. Read More…
February 4, 2013 – Alliance Publishes Comprehensive Teacher Standards Document
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education has completed Phase 1 of its National Teacher Education Standards Project, and is pleased to announce the publication of the Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers. This document – the first of its kind in the massage therapy field – describes the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) needed for teachers to produce successful and consistent outcomes with adult learners in a variety of educational settings.
These comprehensive standards apply to the work of teachers across the entire continuum of massage therapy education, from entry-level training programs to post-graduate studies. They also apply to teachers throughout the arc of their professional careers. Read More…
September 16, 2012 – Alliance Presents National Massage Teacher Standards for Public Review and Comment
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education has completed the formative work on the Core Competencies for Massage Therapy Teachers, and is pleased to present a final draft of the document to the massage therapy profession for review and comment.
The development of this document represents Phase One of the Alliance’s National Teacher Education Standards Project (NTESP). This is beginning of a long-term effort to create a culture of teaching excellence in our field. To that end, the competencies in this draft document are presented in a set of ten standards, each of which describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes which form the basis for effective and successful teaching.
Results from a 2010 national survey by the Alliance showed overwhelming support for this massage project. A common consensus was that improving the quality of massage education should lead to an improvement in the quality of massages performed on the public. Ensuring that teachers are not only content experts, but also trained educators is the main goal of the teacher standards in the Core Competencies. Read More…
June 15, 2012 – Alliance Conference in Tucson a 5-Star Success
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) Conference focused on creating an atmosphere of collaboration, respect and mutual support. The conference theme was “Deepening Connections in the Massage Education Community.” Keynote Speaker Benny Vaughn’s inspirational opening reminded us that a society is judged by how it educates its young and that massage therapists need to increase their self-esteem. Vaughn says, “In this digital world touch is vital.” He envisions a world where we will be greeted with reverence and shouts, “The touchers are coming! The touchers are coming!”
The Alliance re-elected Pete Whitridge, Iris Burman, Su Bibik, and Cherie Sohnen-Moe to the board as well as elected two new board members Heather Piper and Stephanie Beck. The Alliance held elections for the leadership Development Committee and announced that Debra Curties, Joe Lubow, Susan Beck, Tracy Walton and Tim Herbert were elected.
The Board deemed this meeting an incredible success. It brought together a distinguished group of participants from the US and Canada… read more
March 29,2012 – AFMTE Responds to the FSMTB MOCC Proposal
The Alliance For Massage Therapy Education intends to be an organization that works collaboratively to bring the major stakeholders together. The current FSMTB and NCBTMB press releases demonstrate that these organizations are shifting and calibrating themselves so that we can be a “full fledged” profession.
We have been asked to comment on the FSMTB MOCC Proposal by some of our members. These comments are intended both for our members and the entire profession. We support Recommendations 1 and 2, but have major concerns about 3. Read complete response…
Education:
Attention: ACCAHC RWG+ & Council of Colleges/Schools People –
The Consortium of Academic Health Centered for Integrative Medicine (CAHCIM) has generously granted ACCAHC the opportunity to dispense 10 scholarships to the May 15-18 International Research Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health in Portland, Oregon. We are late getting this to you so are on a tight time frame.
Selection Process: Have applicants send short statements (up to 500 words) plus CV/resume and any support materials to jweeks@accahc.org Applicants who made submissions of posters or presentations will have first priority. Decisions will be made by a yet to be determined ACCAHC RWG/Executive Committee team. Applications must be received by March 9, 2012.
Inclusion: We are looking for students in our programs or for graduates of our programs who are actively engaged in advanced education, preferably toward research careers.
The Board of Directors of the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC) voted unanimously at its recent meeting to approve the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education to serve on their on their core council of colleges and schools as the representative of the massage therapy profession.Read More…
Announcements:
Representatives of the seven primary organizations that comprise the massage therapy profession gathered on September 13-14 for a Leadership Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. The purpose of the meeting was twofold: to identify the most significant challenges and limitations that currently exist in this field, and to begin the process of developing and implementing solutions that will enable it to move forward in its evolution. Read More…
Moving into the new year, the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education announces two important changes in the organization’s leadership:
It is with the utmost appreciation and gratitude that we bid farewell to our Executive Director, Rick Rosen, MA. LMBT. He is stepping down from this position to bring his full attention to the Body Therapy Institute, the school he founded in 1983. Rick’s vision, skills and commitment have helped to build a solid foundation for the Alliance, as well as a strategic direction that will support the continued success of the organization.
Research:
Massage’s healing touch may have more to do with DNA than with good hands. A new study has revealed for the first time how kneading eases sore muscles—by turning off genes associated with inflammation and turning on genes that help muscles heal.
Read More on Massage’s Mystery Mechanism Unmasked