Take the Best Practices (BP) Teacher Workshop
An interactive workshop designed to train teachers on contemporary methods of adult education with a focus on hands-on learning. As one previous student told us, the workshop “gave them new tools to use in teaching bridge and the confidence to use them.”
Hear What Students are Saying about the Course
Best Practices Workshop Details
The Best Practices Workshop is a multi-day course with hands-on, small-group activities that focuses on how to teach, not what to teach. Through the workshop, teachers will gain insight into structure and activities that maximize student engagement and retention. The adult education methods taught in the course were recommended and validated by more than 400 bridge teachers.
Whether you’re a new or veteran teacher, this workshop is for you! More than a third of previous workshop participants had never taught bridge before – all you need is love for the game and a good foundation of bridge knowledge. Meanwhile, seasoned bridge teachers can also benefit by learning the latest techniques in adult education.
Rebate for TAP teachers: If you earned the ACBL’s previous teacher certification through TAP, the ACBLEF will help with your workshop fees and pay a partial rebate for costs over $50 (maximum $75 repayment). Rebate will be automatically refunded to your record of payment after the course is completed. Please contact education@acbl.org for more information.
If you are a District or Unit wanting to host a workshop, click here for details.
Earn Best Practices Teacher Certification
After the workshop, there will be opportunities to earn certification to be a Best Practices Teacher. After passing the assessment, you will officially be recognized on our website and lead the Find a Teacher directory marked by the Best Practices logo. You’ll also receive a certificate signifying your distinction, a special lapel pin and the ability to place the Best Practices logo on your marketing materials and business cards.
To earn certification, teachers need to take a basic bridge knowledge pre-test before participating in the workshop, attend the workshop to learn the teaching techniques and pass a proficiency demonstration following the workshop.
Free Resources after the Workshop
New for Best Practices Teachers! Free teaching materials for a face-to-face version of ACBL Intro to Bridge: The original online ACBL Intro to Bridge course successfully taught more than 1,500 students during the pandemic and proved to be both popular and engaging. It was a 10-class course that focused on hands-on learning. The content for the face-to-face version of ACBL Intro to Bridge is based on it and has been expanded into 2 series totaling 18 classes. Information on the course is available in the Teachers’ Lounge on the ACBL website.
Free tools for all attendees: Thanks to a program from the ACBL Educational Foundation, workshop attendees get a free one-year membership to the American Bridge Teachers’ Association (new members only) and a Bridge Bee module, along with one of the following: Teacher starter kit (cards, boards, bid boxes), 100 Shark Bridge credits, or a Vu-bridge lesson set.
ACBL Best Practices Teacher Certification Calendar
| Location | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fall NABC in Atlanta | November 24-26, 2023 | 3-Day Workshop: Friday, November 24 (1-5 pm), Saturday & Sunday, November 25 & 26 (8 am to noon) Workshop Fee: $125. Proficiency Assessments: Assessment spots will be offered the afternoon of November 26 and the morning of November 27; the number of spots is based on enrollment. Assessment Fee: $25. Refresher: If you have previously taken a Best Practices Workshop, you can attend again for only $50. If you did not earn certification, you will have that opportunity. Look for ‘BP Teacher Refresher’ in the registration drop-down. RegisterQuestions? Contact education@acbl.org |
| Houston TX | January 20-21, 2024 | 2-Day Workshop: Saturday, January 20, 8 am to 5 pm, Sunday, January 21, 8 am to noon Workshop Fee: $50. Proficiency Assessments: Assessment spots will be offered the afternoon of Sunday, January 21 and the morning of Monday, January 22; the number of spots is based on enrollment. Assessment Fee: $25. For information or to register, contact Sarah Springer |
| Sacramento CA | Febuary 6-8, 2024 | 2-Day Workshop: Tuesday, February 6, 10 am to 2 pm and 3pm to 7pm, Wednesday, February 7, 10 am to 2pm Workshop Fee: $125. Proficiency Assessments: Assessment spots will be offered the afternoon of Wednesday, February 7 and the morning of Thursday, February 8; the number of spots is based on enrollment. Assessment Fee: $25. For information or to register, contact Max Shireson |
| Spring NABC in Louisville | March 15-17, 2024 | 3-Day Workshop: Friday, March 15 (1-5 pm), Saturday & Sunday, March 16 & 17 (8 am to noon) Workshop Fee: $125. Proficiency Assessments: Assessment spots will be offered the afternoon of March 17 and the morning of March 18; the number of spots is based on enrollment you must sign up. Assessment Fee: $25. Refresher: If you have previously taken a Best Practices Workshop, you can attend again for only $50. If you did not earn certification, you will have that opportunity. Look for ‘BP Teacher Refresher’ in the registration drop-down. RegisterQuestions? Contact education@acbl.org |
| Gatlinburg TN | April 16-18, 2024 | 3-Day Workshop: Tuesday – Thursday April 16, 17 & 18 (8 am to noon) Workshop Fee: $125. Proficiency Assessments: Assessment spots will be offered the afternoon of April 18 and the morning of April 19; the number of spots is based on enrollment you must sign up. Assessment Fee: $25. Refresher: If you have previously taken a Best Practices Workshop, you can attend again for only $50. If you did not earn certification, you will have that opportunity. Look for ‘BP Teacher Refresher’ in the registration drop-down. RegisterQuestions? Contact education@acbl.org |
