Professional Development Opportunities Available at Conference

String Teacher Enrichment Program (STEP)              NEW!

ASTA offers members a new professional development program! STEP is a 45 hour comprehensive professional development program with topics specific to string teaching. This program is to be completed within the timeframe of two conferences over a four year period. STEP is open to any string teacher interested in learning about vital topics in string education, nonstring playing teachers such as band directors who are now teaching strings, and private lesson instructors now teaching in an adjunct position in schools. STEP fills in gaps in coursework, introduces new concepts in education, and reinforces knowledge areas. Once you have completed the program, a STEP certificate will be awarded and notification will be made to supervisors or administrators specified on the application that a certificate of completion has been received. You may also elect to receive college credits during this program issued by Shenandoah University, ASTA’s university partner.

To participate in this program you will need to pay conference registration fees, including the K12 pre-conference session, one-time ASTA enrollment fee of $25*, and if elected, the cost of credit offered through Shenandoah University.
* If you have previously enrolled in ASTA’s Professional Development Program and paid the $25 fee, you need not pay the fee a second time.  

To become a member of the STEP program, simply check off the String Teacher Enrichment Program box on the registration form, register for the conference and the K-12 pre-conference workshop, and if appropriate, the one-time enrollment fee box. Additional materials will be sent to you about the program. You may also visit the ASTA website for complete program details.

2008 STEP Letter to Administrators

College Credit Available from Shenandoah University

Shenandoah University will offer undergraduate and graduate credit in conjunction with the ASTA’s National Conference. To receive credit, you must complete Shenandoah’s registration process indicating course number and credit level and complete all required assignments. Full details about credit and options are available to view on ASTA’s website. By checking the box on the ASTA conference registration form, you will also be mailed information about the credit program and options available to ASTA members.

Note: This program is administered strictly by Shenandoah University and offered to ASTA conference attendees as a member service.Exact requirements and fees are determined and executed solely by the university and are paid directly to them.

Documentation of Professional Development Program

As a service to its members, ASTA will create and maintain a permanent and ongoing record of your professional development hours once you have enrolled in the program. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $25 for this program. In order to document your attendance hours, you must record the name of each session you attend and obtain the signature of each session’s clinician or presider on the two-sided form found in your conference registration packet. Forms are due back to the national office by April4, 2008, at which time your hours will be calculated and recorded. You will then receive a certificate, if purchased, showing your completed hours of professional development for the 2008 conference. Certificates are $10 each and will be mailed approximately two weeks after receipt of your completed forms.

Certificate of Participation

ASTA offers a certificate of participation showing attendance at the national conference. Attendees purchasing a certificate can use it as a remembrance of the conference or as documentation of their attendance for school administrators/districts requiring evidence of attendance. This certificate costs $10 and is mailed approximately 45 days after the conference. Please mark the Certificate of Participation section of the registration form and indicate exactly how your name should appear on the certificate. NOTE: Professional development hours are NOT included on this certificate. (See the Documentation of Professional Development if you need documented hours.)