Credentials, or do I really need that certification? (Part 2: Getting started as a local needlecrafts teacher)

Now you’ve asked yourself some basic questions and you’ve decided you want to teach needlecrafts.  You may be wondering if you should get some sort of certification.

FULL DISCLOSURE ALERT!  I am a Craft Yarn Council (CYC) certified crochet instructor (level I) and certified crochet teacher (level II) and I’m in the process of getting my CYC certification for knitting.

There are several reasons you might get a teaching certification.

• Some employers require certification. This is particularly true of national chain stores (e.g., Michaels, Joanns).
• Some organizations prefer certification. While your local yarn shop, continuing education program, or regional needlearts conference probably don’t require you to be certified, having a credential may give you a boost over another interested teacher.  This could be particularly true if you don’t have other credentials in needlecrafts.  If you have other experience or education, the credential may not be as valuable.
• You aren’t confident about your teaching abilities. Teaching certification programs focus on how to teach the craft.  If you don’t know how to explain things, or why something should be done a certain way, the certification program can help you prepare to teach.
• Some certification programs provide exposure opportunities for their graduates. For example, the Embroiderer’s Guild of America includes the list of Graduate Certified Teachers on its website with contact information.  If you don’t have your own website or storefront, this extra publicity can help you find students.
• You need a head start on developing your teaching resources. Many certification programs include materials in their training which you can adapt for use with your students.  Others include tips on publicizing your classes.
• It just sounds cool. When I tell students about what I had to do to complete my certification, it often puts them at ease and makes them feel more comfortable about taking a class with me.

There are also reasons why you might not get certification.

• It costs money. These programs are not cheap.  Most teacher certification programs cost at least $100 for a correspondence program.  Attending an on-site program can be very costly if you need to travel to the location.
• It takes time. On-site programs generally have a minimum number of hours to participate.  Correspondence programs often have many tasks you must complete to show your mastery of the craft.  Many certification programs require you to teach a certain number of hours before granting certification.
• It isn’t necessary because of your existing experience or education in needlecrafts. ‘Nuff said.
• There isn’t much competition in your local area, so the certification provides no advantage. I live in New York City, and everyone and their mother wants to teach knitting and crocheting.  But perhaps where you live, you are the only game in town .

If you do decide to seek certification, what are your options in the needlecrafts?  Here is a list I’ve compiled.  This is based only on a preliminary Google search.  I am not affiliated with any of these programs (other than being a CYC graduate and student as already mentioned).  This is not an endorsement of any of these programs, so don’t be mad at me if you don’t like them .

Crochet:

• Craft Yarn Council: Certified Instructors Program

Embroidery and Needlepoint:

• American Needlepoint Guild: Master Teacher Program
• Embroiderer’s Guild of America: Teacher Certification Program
• National Academy of Needlearts: Teachers’ Certification and Teachers’ Associate Certification
• Sulky: Certified Teacher Training

Knitting:

• Craft Yarn Council: Certified Instructors Program

Patchwork and Quilting:

• Alicia’s Attic: Clearview of Quilting Teacher Certification
• Kaye Wood: Quilting the Kay Wood Way Teacher Certification
• National Quilting Association: Certified Teachers Program
• Quilt in a Day: Quilt in a Day Teacher Training
• Sulky: Certified Teacher Training

Rug Hooking:

• Amy Oxford: Punch Needle Rug Hooking Teacher Certification
• National Guild of Pearl K. McGown Hookrafters:  McGown Certification

Sewing:

• Kids Can Sew: Kids Can Sew Program
• Palmer/Pletsch: Teacher Training Program
• Sewing Educator Alliance: Certified Sewing Educator
• Sulky: Certified Teacher Training

Another alternative to teaching certification is to become a master (insert needlecraft here).  While these programs do not specifically prepare you to teach, they provide advanced technical training and an assessment of your skills.  This can also be helpful from a “look, I have a cool credential” point of view as well as by providing you with additional skill development.

Some examples:

• Handweavers Guild of America – Certificates of Excellence awarded in Basketmaking, Dyeing, Handspinning, and Handweaving
• Master Knitter from The Knitting Guild Association and Expert Knitter from WEBS
• Master Spinner from Olds College including this U.S. based option in Arizona
• Master Weaver from Olds College
• Master of Advanced Crochet and Techniques from the Crochet Guild of America

A less expensive and time consuming option is to buy a book on teaching or a teaching resource package from an existing organization.  This won’t provide the same level of preparation, but can be a great option if you are short on time and are confident in your teaching skills.  Here are some examples:

• The Busine$$ of Teaching Sewing
• Crochet Cabana
• Kim Guzman Teacher Program

This list is by no means exhaustive.  I’d be interested in hearing from other teachers about their experiences related to certification.

Tags: alicia's attic, american needlepoint guild, amy oxford, cgoa, craft yarn council, crochet certification, crochet guild of america, crocheting, cyc, embroiderer's guild of america, embroidery, embroidery certification, handweavers guild of america, kaye wood, kids can sew, knitting, knitting certification, national academy of needlearts, national guild of pearl k. mcgown hookrafters, national quilting association, needlepoint, olds college, palmer pletsch, patchwork, quilt in a day, quilting, quilting certification, rug hooking, rug hooking certification, sewing, sewing certification, sewing educator alliance, spinning yarn, sulky, teacher certification, the knitting guild association, tkga, weaving, WEBS