Oxford Teacher Certification Class
Instructor: Simone Vojvodin, Advanced Oxford Certified Instructor
I will be holding two TT classes in 2025, one that is Hybrid in May, and one that is entirely Virtual and Co-taught with Advanced Instructor Kim Scanlan in August/September.
CLASS OPTIONS:
HYBRID CLASS: HYBRID CLASS with both live virtual and in-person classroom learning! *Please note: I encourage those who can to attend the in-person portion, however a fully virtual option is available for those unable to travel.
Zoom portion on May 3rd, 13th, 15th, 20th, 29th, In person- portion on May 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th
VIRTUAL CLASS: August 8th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, September 5th, 6th, 12th
Location of in-person part: Simone's studio, (8 minutes North of Dutton, Ontario).
Levels: Intermediate/Advanced
Tuition: price to be adjusted to reflect exchange rate at time of payment) Includes class manual, pre-class sampler pattern, and all the materials needed for the in-class sampler (pattern on monks cloth, yarn, and fabric strips).
This certification program is designed for anyone who is interested in becoming a punch needle rug hooking instructor. There are very few punch needle teachers in North America or abroad, and this is an excellent opportunity to get a good start in an exciting field. Simone Vojvodin, Advanced Oxford Instructor, experienced instructor (certified and teaching since 2011), author, and award winning artist, will cover all the topics necessary to give you the skills and confidence needed to be a successful rug hooking teacher.
This particular class is designed to give students the best of both worlds with online live zoom learning, as well as time in a physical classroom for that in person experience that is hard to beat!
You will end the course with a personal teaching plan to help you get started; learn where to teach, where to get supplies, how to write course descriptions, lesson plans, supply lists, contracts, and much more. Learn potential problems, pitfalls, and “tricks of the trade,” both for doing the craft itself, and passing it on. Students will have the chance to practice new teaching skills and most importantly, will learn how to be the very best rug hookers that they can be so their students can learn by example.
Many different techniques will be taught including how to use all the Oxford Punch Needle sizes, shading, yarn blending, three-dimensional rug hooking, sculpting, and how to use novelty yarns and strips of fabric. Students will begin a sampler in class that will illustrate these techniques and serve as an excellent teaching aid for when they start to teach their own classes.
Participants will also be required to design an original 2' x 3' rug ahead of time to be color planned in class (materials for this rug are supplied by the student themselves). Both the sampler and the 2' x 3' rug will be finished as homework. All physical homework will be submitted by each participant to Simone Vojvodin for evaluation, either by mail or personal delivery.
Those who successfully complete this course and all homework assignments will be made Certified Oxford Instructors and will be provided with ongoing support through the Oxford Company as well as Simone and the benefits that come from being accredited by a respected pioneer in the field. Please note that this is a demanding and intensive program where much is given but much is also required. Come ready to work very hard and learn a lot! Punching experience is a must but no former teaching experience is required.
Homework Deadline: Students will have 4 months from final TT class to submit their homework.
Prerequisite: Students need to have completed one beginning and one intermediate class with Amy or with another approved Oxford Certified Instructor. If this is not possible, participants are required to complete at least two small punched pieces such as chair seats or wall hangings. Photographs of your best piece must be sent to Simone as part of your application. Upon acceptance into the program, students will be required to complete a specially designed 6” x 8” pre-class sampler provided by the school to prepare them for the rug punching portion of the workshop. All students must read Amy's book Punch Needle Rug Hooking - Your Complete Resource to Learn & Love the Craft from cover to cover, and are encouraged to read Simone's book, "Mastering the Art of Punch Needle Rug Hooking" . Students are also required to read the seventy-six page Teacher Training Manual that we will be using as our workbook in class, and is provided by Simone.
How To Apply
Applications will be taken online. Please see the application below.
Materials Fee: You will need to provide the monk's cloth and fibers for your 2' x 3' certification rug. The cost will vary depending on what you use from your own stash and what you choose to purchase from Red Maple Ruggery, or other locations. Materials for your pre-class sampler and in-class sampler are included in the tuition. A supply list will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
Refund Policy: Course registrations which are cancelled in writing and with special circumstance, sixty (60) or more days before the posted start of the course may be eligible to receive a partial refund. After sixty (60) days or less before the posted start of the course (March 6th) all payments are final and no refund will be provided. Students may apply the fee towards a future TT class.