Oxford Certified Instructors are world renowned for the quality of teaching and high standards they provide. With Punch Needle Rug Hooking rapidly gaining popularity in North America and abroad, this an excellent opportunity to get a solid start in an exciting field!

The certification program is designed for anyone who is interested in becoming a punch needle rug hooking instructor. It is offered by our Advanced Oxford Certified Instructors (also known as ATTs), who will cover all the topics necessary to give you the skills and confidence needed to be a successful punch needle rug hooking teacher.

During the approximate 60 hour program all students will learn potential problems, pitfalls, and “tricks of the trade,” both for punching, and for teaching the craft to others. Where to teach, where to get supplies, how to write course descriptions, lesson plans, supply lists, contracts, and much more will all be covered. Students will even have the opportunity to practice new teaching skills and will end the course with a personalized plan for starting on their teaching journey.

Many different technical skills 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, along with other smaller assignments.

All physical homework must be submitted for evaluation to the Advanced Instructor who is teaching their course, either by mail or personal delivery, and this is the responsibility of the student.

Those who successfully complete the course and all homework assignments will be made a Certified Oxford Instructor. They will be provided with ongoing support through the Oxford Company, the Dean of the Oxford Rug Hooking School, plus all the additional benefits that come with that distinguished title.

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, to have fun and to learn a lot! Punching experience is a must but no former teaching experience is required.

Homework Deadline: The Homework Deadline is 4 months from the last date of your course.

Prerequisites: Students need to have completed one beginner and one intermediate class at the Oxford Rug Hooking School OR with any 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 the Advanced Instructor you wish to take the Teacher Training with 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 (kit provided) before the start of their Teacher Training course. All students must also read Amy's book Punch Needle Rug Hooking - Your Complete Resource to Learn & Love the Craft from cover to cover, and the entire Teacher Training Manual that will be used as the workbook in class.

Materials Provided: All of the materials for your pre-class sampler, in-class sampler, as well as your Teacher Training Manual will be provided by your instructor. (Some exceptions may apply. There may be additional mailing fees for the Sampler Kits and Training Manuals being sent to locations outside of North America).

Supply lists: You will need to provide the monk's cloth and fibers for your 2' x 3' certification rug. The cost will vary depending on materials chosen. A detailed supply list of other additional tools and supplies needed for the course will be provided by your Advanced Instructor after acceptance into the program.

Those taking the course entirely online will require some additional equipment to allow your instructor to see your work effectively.

Program Structure:

You will notice that there are three main course formats that are being offered- In-person, Hybrid (combination of online, and in-person), and entirely online, to suit different needs and learning styles. Each teacher brings their own unique style, perspective and personal experience to the course, but all courses will cover the same core materials as outlined in the Teacher Training Manual, and involve the same number of classroom hours. The cost for the Teacher Training Course is standardised at $1595 USD which is payable to your instructor once you are accepted into the program. Additional taxes may apply.

Scholarships:

The Jackie Towell Scholarships will be open for applications in January, and will be awarded in February. These scholarships provide two lucky recipients with $700 each towards taking their Oxford Teacher Training. The Scholarships are generously provided by Oxford Punch Needle Instructors Guild and The Oxford Company. More details can be found here: Jackie Towell Scholarship.

How To Apply:

Look through the list below of dates, times, locations and formats of Teacher training courses being offered in 2025 and find the one that suits you best.

Copy and paste application questions found under the course listings into an email, answer the questions, and then email your application along with the requested photos, directly to the Advanced Instructor whom you’d like to take the Teacher Training Course with.

Alternatively, email your chosen instructor and request the application form from them.

Format: In person (with zoom intro.)
Date: May 4th - 9th, (Zoom intro date tba)
Advanced Instructor: Kim Scanlan
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Email To Apply: thewoolyloonmn@gmail.com

Format: In person
Date: May 18st-24th
Advanced Instructor: Una Walke
Location: Le Grande, Oregon, USA
Email To Apply: woolywalkers@gmail.com

Format: In person
Date: June 8th-14th
Advanced Instructor: Judith Hotchkiss
Location: Deer Isle, Maine, USA
Email To Apply:

Format: Hybrid (combination online and in person)
Date: Zoom- May 3rd, 13th, 15th, 20th, 29th | In person - May 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th
Advanced Instructor: Simone Vojvodin
Location: Dutton, Ontario, Canada
Email To Apply: simone@redmapleruggery.ca

Format: Online
Date: August 8th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd | September 5th, 6th, 12th
Advanced Instructor: Kim Scanlan and Simone Vojvodin
Location: Zoom
Email To Apply: simone@redmapleruggery.ca | thewoolyloonmn@gmail.com

Format: In person
Date: August 31st- September 6th
Advanced Instructor: Una Walker
Location: Le Grande, Oregon, USA
Email To Apply: woolywalkers@gmail.com

Format: Hybrid (combination of online and in person)
Date: Zoom- September 13th, 14th | In person- September 19th, 20th, 21st | Zoom- October 4th, 5th
Advanced Instructor: Robin Whitford
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Email To Apply: robinlwhitford@gmail.com

OXFORD TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM APPLICATION

Please provide ALL of the following information in an email to the instructor you wish to take the training with.

*Name
*Full Mailing Address:
*Country:
*Phone number:
*Email:
*Which class date would you like to attend?
*How long have you been punching?
*How many pieces have you made? What are their sizes?

Please list each piece with its size individually:

*What sizes of The Oxford Punch Needle have you used?
*What fibers have you punched with? What is your favorite fiber to work with?
*What kind(s) of frame(s) have you used?
*Please list any punch needle rug hooking classes you have taken with Oxford Certified Instructors:
*If you could only make one more rug what would it be?
*Have you taught punch needle rug hooking before?
*Have you taught traditional rug hooking before? Are you certified?
*When do you plan to start teaching? (Immediately, Within 5 years, Later)
*Which of the following do you want to do, teach Adults, teach children, volunteer?
*What do you like about punch needle rug hooking?
*Why would you like to take the Teacher Certification Class?
*What are you most interested in learning in class?

PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS:

*a photo of the entire front of your best piece.
*a photo of the entire back of your best piece.
*a closeup photo of an area of interest on the front of your best piece.
*a photo of an area of interest on the back of your best piece.
*a closeup photo of the hemming of your best piece including a mitered corner.