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ORLANDO LEARN

WE MISS YOU HUSKIES!

As you know, distance learning will continue through the end of the school year. While we are disappointed that we will not be seeing our Huskies in person again, we are doing everything possible to continue supporting our students. Please have your child contact their teachers if they are having any difficulties. We understand that you have a lot of questions about various end-ofthe-year issues so please read our weekly electronic newsbrief and check our Facebook site regularly for the most up-to-date information. You can sign up for the newsbrief through a link on our school website: AvalonMS.ocps.net. There is also a link to our Facebook page.

Remember, we are in this together, Huskies! Marsee Perkins

How to Choose a Good Massage School

Before I discuss how to choose a good massage school one must know the qualities of a good massage therapist. Massage can be an emotional, spiritual, and physical experience. Because of this, a good massage therapist must possess many skills. Some skills can be taught in massage school such as therapeutic massage techniques, deep tissue massage, hydrotherapy, quality touch, anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, etc. Many skills needed are related to personal, social and business skills. Some examples of characteristic traits that make a good massage therapist are reliability, cleanliness, empathy, listening skills, professionalism and a desire to positively contribute to the mental and physical health of others. If you possess these skills, then you would make a wonderful massage therapist. A good massage school will help develop these characteristics that can unfortunately, by many massage schools, be overlooked. Some other things to consider when choosing a massage school are…..

1. Educational Requirements- Educational requirements vary from state to state. In Florida, massage therapy is governed by the Florida Department of Health, Massage Therapy Board. Does the school I am considering meet the minimal requirements or does it exceed the requirements?

2. Cost- How much will my education cost? Will I be able to pay my student loans?

3. Class Size- What is the teacher/student ratio? Will I get a high quality education?

4. Instructional Experience- What kind of experience do your teachers possess? Do they have industry experience? 6. Accredited School- Is the massage school you are interested in accredited by a governing body?

Our massage program is a 750- hour program that prepares students for employment as a licensed massage therapist. The program offers training using current industry standards, software, equipment and assimilates the academic competencies and occupational skills NCBTMB upon completion. This National Certification will allow our students the option to be future educators.

• We offer a 750 hour program. The Dept. of Health in the state of FL requires a minimum of 500 hours. This makes it much easier to achieve licensure in other states without having to do more educational hours.

College allows program completers to apply credit towards a Valencia Supervision & Management for Industry AS degree followed by the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Organizational and Leadership Degree. • High quality education at a fraction of the cost of other massage schools. Because our program is subsidized by Orange County Public Schools, the cost is much less than many other schools. Just check out all the options in Central Florida for yourself and discover the savings. • Personalized education. Our teachers limit the class size so that each student receives individualized education. We limit our class size so that the ratio does not exceed 10 students to every instructor.

essential for success. We also have ongoing contact with industry advisors. This relationship helps the instructor ensure that the academic competencies are congruent with the needs of the industry. Instruction in job knowledge, job skills, work habits and core values is incorporated throughout the program. The combination of instruction in academic competencies and work habits provides a firm foundation of success for the students. Here are a few reasons why you should consider enrolling in the Massage Therapy program at Orange Technical College, Avalon campus. • We are an approved school through the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. This allows our graduates the ability to achieve National Certification through the • Our students also complete a course in Basic Life Support and receive a certificate from the American Heart Association. This certification is above and beyond the requirements from the Department of Health and the Department of Education in the State of Florida. • We have incorporated industry professionals to come speak to our students on a monthly basis. Many of our guest speakers are internationally known in the massage industry. • Articulation with Valencia State

The massage therapy program has the following specific admission requirements: • Completion of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) • Meet with a counselor • 18 years of age • High school diploma or its equivalent

Jonah Salomon, Massage Therapy Instructor, MA31547 Orange Technical College, Avalon Campus 2201 S. Crown Hill Blvd. Orlando, FL 32828 Jonah.Salomon@ocps.net Phone 407-281-5155 Ext: 7002220