Children’s Specialist 1 – Children’s Specialist 2

Who - What – When – Where – Why – How... And Timing

Who:
The Children’s Specialist 1 is open to all Level I and above Certified members as the beginning journey to teaching snowsports to children. Members may apply for Children’s Specialist 2 upon successful completion of Children’s Specialist 1 and after obtaining Level II Certification.

What:
These are new nationally recognized “Certificate Based” programs that address teaching children specifically. These courses include a written workbook and an online exam to validate the material learned in the workbook. Following is a two day on snow learning based environment that experiences children’s education needs. There is an evaluative component to the on snow portion of the program. Successful completion of the course grants professional recognition to the instructor and industry for their education, experience, and expertise in teaching children snowsports.

When:
It is required that members complete their Level I Certification first, followed by Children’s Specialist 1. Members could then pursue and pass their Level II Certification and then their Children’s Specialist 2.

Where:
There are many courses scheduled throughout the season; weekdays, nights, and weekends, in an effort to accommodate most member’s needs. The sortable event schedule on the eastern website at www.psia-e.org/ev/schedule/sort.htm is a great tool to easily view where and when the Children’s Specialist courses are scheduled.

Why:
Nationally children’s education in snowsports accounts for 69 % of all of the snowsports school business. In part due to the demand for quality children’s educators, PSIA/AASI has put in place 2 new national certificate programs called Children’s Specialist 1, and Children’s Specialist 2. These are not exams. They are instead certificate based programs. They are evaluative but they are different than your certification exams as the CS programs are highly educational in nature. They are national in scope as the content is the same from division to division and the process is also similar; both have a workbook that must be completed prior to attending the course and both have an on the hill portion that is spread out over two or three days. For the 2012-13 season the Children’s Specialist 1 will be a requirement for Alpine Level II certification.

How:
Members must complete the associated workbook prior to arriving at the event. These workbooks will take a significant amount of time to complete, so please plan accordingly. The workbooks are available free of charge, 24/7 on the eastern website at www.psia-e.org/ed/kids.

Once we receive your application for a Children’s Specialist event, you will receive a link to take a short online quiz. Members must score 80% to be successful. There is not a limit to the number of times you may take the quiz; however you must wait a minimum of 24 hours between attempts.

On the day of the event, you will submit your completed workbook to the course conductors for review at registration. Your workbook will be returned at the end of the event. If you do not have a completed workbook at this time, you will not be eligible to participate in the educational event.

Timing and Alpine Certification:
2011-2012 Season - The successful completion of Children’s Specialist 1 will satisfy the Alpine Level II exam prerequisite requirement.
2012-2013 Season - Children’s Specialist 1 will be required for Alpine Level II Certification
2013-2014 Season - Children’s Specialist 2 will be required for Alpine Level III Certification