AERIAL TEACHER TRAINING
FAQS
For questions regarding Circus Arts Therapy® Training that are not answered below,
please contact Carrie Heller, MSW, LCSW, RPT at 404-549-3000.
please contact Carrie Heller, MSW, LCSW, RPT at 404-549-3000.
Who is the Aerial Teacher Training for?
Everyone! Our teacher training certifications are designed for anyone interested in teaching circus arts to children, teens, adults, families and groups. Studio owners are encouraged to attend. Students of the aerial arts also benefit from taking this training.
Why get trained at the Circus Arts Institute?
The Circus Arts Institute has been in the business of training teachers both in-house and for other programs for over 30 years. Carrie Heller is a lover of the Circus Arts and wants all Circus Arts programs to operate at their highest safety standards possible.
To this end, ACE, the American Circus Educators branch of AYCO, has evaluated our Teacher Training Program and our facility and we are proud to be the first Teacher Training Program and circus facility in America to be nationally recognized for our excellent standards.
The training location is wheelchair accessible and any other modifications can be discussed with Carrie personally to ensure that we can meet their needs and ensure that this training is a good fit for the learner.
Creating a safe and healthy learning environment includes not discriminating (or tolerating fellow learners to discriminate) based on age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status. We'd love to have EVERYONE!
What does certification mean?
Aerial Teacher Certification is proof of in-depth safety and technical training for anyone who is currently teaching or wants to teach (or co-teach) Circus Arts to others. Gaining certification in one of the three certification levels is a way to verify to students that you are highly qualified to teach and have the highest professional standards and education. This is not a state or national requirement yet, but this certification might be useful in obtaining insurance for yourself and/or your studio.
Can I get certified without taking the Teacher Training?
No, because of our commitment to producing excellent, well-trained teachers, we require that all teachers certified through the Circus Arts Institute take the Teacher Training courses.
How do I get certified?
Our suggested certification process is:
I've been teaching for years, do I really have to practice teaching again?
No, relevant past teaching experience can be used to fulfill the Teaching Practice Hour Requirements.
Download and fill out the Beginner Teacher Certification Form here.
Are assessments included in the Teacher Training fee?
No, the certification assessment is a separate fee. The Teacher Training can be taken without seeking certification.
Why do I have to have a manual?
When it comes to Aerial Safety, Carrie wrote the book; Literally. So, instead of re-writing the book, she refers to the Aerial Circus Training and Safety Manual. If you do not have one yet, you can purchase one online here or at class for $50.
If I have completed my teaching practice requirements for Certification, will I be Certified?
Not necessarily, the practice requirement95s are for you to grow as a teacher. Because of different personalities and backgrounds, the amount of practice required to be an excellent teacher will vary. We urge trainees to only request a Certification Assessment after your practice hours are compete AND you are confident that you will be recommended for Certification. During training's, Carrie advises all trainees on assessment readiness.
I would like to be certified in multiple apparatus:
Each training is apparatus-specific, so you can only train in one apparatus at a time. However, once the beginner classroom hours are taken, you can rejoin another beginner training and opt out of the didactic parts of the training (because you've already completed it). You will have to join us for the apparatus-skill training parts, of course! Another application form will need to be filled out for each apparatus.
When can I assess?
An assessment can be requested at any time once apparatus-specific spotting/co-teaching/teaching/supervision hours are completed. Assessments are $195 and include a pre-assessment of 1 hour or more followed by an assessment with Carrie to demonstrate physical and teaching abilities and gain important feedback.
I would like to become certified as a trainer but I live out of town:
Our beginner teacher training classes are for everyone! But because of our dedication to producing only the BEST teachers that we are fully confident in, we are only offering advanced and trainer training's to Atlanta Residents (or those willing to travel) who can complete their teaching /co-teaching and supervision requirements in-house.
For those interested in intermediate-level teacher training's, we are offering one during the summer during our Level 2 Circus Arts Therapy® Training. Other intermediate-level trainings will be opened based on demand.
We are also offering a 6-8 week residency to those who would like to take an intensive teacher training and fulfill the requirements here at CAI, but do not live in the area.
What is involved in an assessment?
How likely am I to certify?
Most trainees do not certify on their first time to our studio. This all depends on individual skill levels and amount of previous experience teaching. Many trainees come back for another beginner training in another apparatus and then certify for the beginner training they took previously.
I can't make any of the scheduled training's. How can I be informed of upcoming classes?
Enter your email address and select "Aerial Teacher Training/Certification" here and you will be placed on our mailing list for future Teacher Training's.
I don't have any certified trainers in my area to study under. What can I do?
I've been teaching for years, does that count?
We do give credit for teaching experience. We suggest writing down everything you can think of that could count towards the practice hours on the Teacher Certification Application and during the training you'll have a one-on-one where the trainer will help you decide what to use where, determine if you're ready for the assessment or give you a plan on exactly what is needed to get there.
I think I'll need extra hours to satisfy the practice hour requirements. Can I get those at CAI?
We do offer private lessons that can count towards the supervised hour requirements (an hour at CAI counts up to double towards satisfying the practice requirement hours). Private lessons are $100/hour and can be shared, if desired. We also host practice weekends where a lot of practice hours can be earned in a 2-day span. And you can return for another training course at CAI to acquire more practice hours during the training.
How do I register for an upcoming class?
How can I pay?
Deposits can be made with credit cards here.
You can also mail a check to:
Circus Arts Institute
2969 East Ponce De Leon Avenue
Suite 370 (at the back of the building)
Decatur, GA 30030
What happens if I need to reschedule? Or if CAI reschedules or cancels?
In the event of a cancellation by the Circus Arts Institute, rescheduling will be attempted and if rescheduling is not possible, full refunds of all deposits and prepayments will be dispersed.
If you cancel more than 30 days before the first day of training, we will gladly refund the deposit and all prepayments. If the notice is given after 30 days but before the first day of training, the deposit will be held and may be used toward future training. Please send cancellation notices to [email protected] or call (404) 549-3000.
Everyone! Our teacher training certifications are designed for anyone interested in teaching circus arts to children, teens, adults, families and groups. Studio owners are encouraged to attend. Students of the aerial arts also benefit from taking this training.
Why get trained at the Circus Arts Institute?
The Circus Arts Institute has been in the business of training teachers both in-house and for other programs for over 30 years. Carrie Heller is a lover of the Circus Arts and wants all Circus Arts programs to operate at their highest safety standards possible.
To this end, ACE, the American Circus Educators branch of AYCO, has evaluated our Teacher Training Program and our facility and we are proud to be the first Teacher Training Program and circus facility in America to be nationally recognized for our excellent standards.
The training location is wheelchair accessible and any other modifications can be discussed with Carrie personally to ensure that we can meet their needs and ensure that this training is a good fit for the learner.
Creating a safe and healthy learning environment includes not discriminating (or tolerating fellow learners to discriminate) based on age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status. We'd love to have EVERYONE!
What does certification mean?
Aerial Teacher Certification is proof of in-depth safety and technical training for anyone who is currently teaching or wants to teach (or co-teach) Circus Arts to others. Gaining certification in one of the three certification levels is a way to verify to students that you are highly qualified to teach and have the highest professional standards and education. This is not a state or national requirement yet, but this certification might be useful in obtaining insurance for yourself and/or your studio.
Can I get certified without taking the Teacher Training?
No, because of our commitment to producing excellent, well-trained teachers, we require that all teachers certified through the Circus Arts Institute take the Teacher Training courses.
How do I get certified?
Our suggested certification process is:
- Take our Beginner Teacher Training (or the appropriate level-specific course for the Certification sought)
- Find a reputable studio and supervisor (see Carrie for suggestions in your area) and complete the practice hour requirements there. Really work on becoming an excellent teacher of the aerial apparatus you're focused on and an excellent classroom manager.
- Turn in all prerequisite information and Practice Hour Requirements on a Teacher Certification Application.
- Schedule an assessment with Carrie. Based on your performance, she will recommend you for certification or suggest a plan for gaining further practice.
I've been teaching for years, do I really have to practice teaching again?
No, relevant past teaching experience can be used to fulfill the Teaching Practice Hour Requirements.
Download and fill out the Beginner Teacher Certification Form here.
Are assessments included in the Teacher Training fee?
No, the certification assessment is a separate fee. The Teacher Training can be taken without seeking certification.
Why do I have to have a manual?
When it comes to Aerial Safety, Carrie wrote the book; Literally. So, instead of re-writing the book, she refers to the Aerial Circus Training and Safety Manual. If you do not have one yet, you can purchase one online here or at class for $50.
If I have completed my teaching practice requirements for Certification, will I be Certified?
Not necessarily, the practice requirement95s are for you to grow as a teacher. Because of different personalities and backgrounds, the amount of practice required to be an excellent teacher will vary. We urge trainees to only request a Certification Assessment after your practice hours are compete AND you are confident that you will be recommended for Certification. During training's, Carrie advises all trainees on assessment readiness.
I would like to be certified in multiple apparatus:
Each training is apparatus-specific, so you can only train in one apparatus at a time. However, once the beginner classroom hours are taken, you can rejoin another beginner training and opt out of the didactic parts of the training (because you've already completed it). You will have to join us for the apparatus-skill training parts, of course! Another application form will need to be filled out for each apparatus.
When can I assess?
An assessment can be requested at any time once apparatus-specific spotting/co-teaching/teaching/supervision hours are completed. Assessments are $195 and include a pre-assessment of 1 hour or more followed by an assessment with Carrie to demonstrate physical and teaching abilities and gain important feedback.
I would like to become certified as a trainer but I live out of town:
Our beginner teacher training classes are for everyone! But because of our dedication to producing only the BEST teachers that we are fully confident in, we are only offering advanced and trainer training's to Atlanta Residents (or those willing to travel) who can complete their teaching /co-teaching and supervision requirements in-house.
For those interested in intermediate-level teacher training's, we are offering one during the summer during our Level 2 Circus Arts Therapy® Training. Other intermediate-level trainings will be opened based on demand.
We are also offering a 6-8 week residency to those who would like to take an intensive teacher training and fulfill the requirements here at CAI, but do not live in the area.
What is involved in an assessment?
- Physical Skill Demonstration: This includes a demonstration of warm up/cool downs and tricks from the appropriate-level skill progression. Carrie will choose, at random, level-specific tricks for a trainee to demonstrate, spot and/or teach. You will be graded on your technique, form teaching ability, knowledge of common mistakes, ability to troubleshoot on the spot, and more.
- Oral and/or Written Evaluation: This will be done to assess your ability to communicate directions to your students, your understanding of safety & rigging, skill progressions, injury prevention, anatomy and physiology related to Aerials, classroom rations, communication tools, learning modalities and evidence based teaching, how to write lesson plan and what to do if an injury does occur.
- Classroom observation: If your Practice Teaching Hours were earned outside of CAI, you may be asked to send in a video of yourself teaching multiple classes/lessons. If we do request this, exact video specifications will be sent to trainees seeking certification. We will evaluate your ability to manage a class, physically spot and teach a variety of students.
How likely am I to certify?
Most trainees do not certify on their first time to our studio. This all depends on individual skill levels and amount of previous experience teaching. Many trainees come back for another beginner training in another apparatus and then certify for the beginner training they took previously.
I can't make any of the scheduled training's. How can I be informed of upcoming classes?
Enter your email address and select "Aerial Teacher Training/Certification" here and you will be placed on our mailing list for future Teacher Training's.
I don't have any certified trainers in my area to study under. What can I do?
- Come to the training and compare what your trainer is teaching you to what you've learned. If your home trainer isn't up to snuff, we'll try and help you to find another nearby.
- Come to the training, Carrie will advise you before taking an assessment, if she suggests practice hours before taking the assessment and if there is no one to train with at your home location, we can finish up any suggested training hours with our trainers (either book private hours or shared hours with our trainers or return for another training course at CAI to acquire more practice hours during the training).
- Bring another teacher trainee with you and you can practice with them when you return home.
I've been teaching for years, does that count?
We do give credit for teaching experience. We suggest writing down everything you can think of that could count towards the practice hours on the Teacher Certification Application and during the training you'll have a one-on-one where the trainer will help you decide what to use where, determine if you're ready for the assessment or give you a plan on exactly what is needed to get there.
I think I'll need extra hours to satisfy the practice hour requirements. Can I get those at CAI?
We do offer private lessons that can count towards the supervised hour requirements (an hour at CAI counts up to double towards satisfying the practice requirement hours). Private lessons are $100/hour and can be shared, if desired. We also host practice weekends where a lot of practice hours can be earned in a 2-day span. And you can return for another training course at CAI to acquire more practice hours during the training.
How do I register for an upcoming class?
- Register and pay deposit online here.
- After your deposit and registration form is received, you will receive confirmation of space in the training in your apparatus and details via email.
How can I pay?
Deposits can be made with credit cards here.
You can also mail a check to:
Circus Arts Institute
2969 East Ponce De Leon Avenue
Suite 370 (at the back of the building)
Decatur, GA 30030
What happens if I need to reschedule? Or if CAI reschedules or cancels?
In the event of a cancellation by the Circus Arts Institute, rescheduling will be attempted and if rescheduling is not possible, full refunds of all deposits and prepayments will be dispersed.
If you cancel more than 30 days before the first day of training, we will gladly refund the deposit and all prepayments. If the notice is given after 30 days but before the first day of training, the deposit will be held and may be used toward future training. Please send cancellation notices to [email protected] or call (404) 549-3000.
