"Every single human being's personality...his ability...is carved and chiseled by training and environment." - S. Suzuki

Welcome to Teacher Kendall's Website

tuning.pngAs a Suzuki student, teacher and advocate for 22 years, I have designed this space to share my knowledge and experiences with you and to contribute to the growing Suzuki community. Although the Suzuki method is taught internationally, parents, teachers and students sometimes feel disconnected when in remote locations or simply practicing at home in isolation. You are not alone!

This website is an ongoing project while I am studying to get my PhD in Education at the University of Washington. You may come across "placeholder" pages or incomplete ideas. Please feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions. I hope you find this resource inspiring and useful!

Suzuki Teachers as "Adaptive Experts"

Posted Wed, 11/11/2009 - 2:56pm

A traditional way to look at experts is as "fact machines". For example, an expert chess player can quickly access all of the information s/he needs to make an optimal move. However, recent research has shown that the best experts in all disciplines do not only use information efficiently, but are innovative in their application and expansion of the information as well. The book "How People Learn" (2000) calls this "adaptive expertise".

All teachers, including Suzuki teachers, should strive to be adaptive experts. Knowing the facts about proper technique and "step-by-step" instruction is not enough to fulfill your potential to be the best teacher possible. The most successful teachers know just the right game to play to improve a child's skill, and they know how to adapt it (in expression & explanation) for that particular student's needs.

The Suzuki Concept

"Our movement is not concerned with raising so-called prodigies, nor does it intend to emphasize just 'early development.' We must express it as a 'total human education'." -M.Honda

Nurtured by Love

"I want...to get education changed from mere instruction to education in the real sense of the word - education that inculcates, brings out, develops the human potential, based on the growing life of the child." -S.Suzuki

Ability Dev from Age Zero

"Reflection is necessary in the routine, the behavior, and the conversation of adults. Parents must constantly ask themselves whether they are good examples for their children." -S.Suzuki

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