PSIA Central OnLine

PSIA/AASI Central OnLine
EVENTS EDITION
August 2004

Moving Forward
by Carl Sigmann
Alpine Education Certification Co-Chair

EDUCATION BASED PHILOSOPHY

The members of this organization have been asking for several years for a true education based system. It is the Alpine Education Certification Committee’s (AECC) belief that for the first time, the division will offer to the membership a true education based system. This new “Strategic Pathway” approach is meant to encourage members to become better instructors. The division does not want members feeling that certification is the only way to accomplish this goal. Last year the division offered about twelve events that one could sign up for. Of these twelve events, nine of them steered the member towards certification. For the 2004/2005 season, there may be as many as 50 events that one may sign up for. Members will also receive a certificate of completion for these events to keep track of their progress that they later may incorporate into a portfolio that the division is designing.

ALPINE LEVEL II EXAM FORMAT

For members who wish to take the certification pathway, there are programs designed to offer the opportunity to become better prepared. In addition, all of the education based events, if taken, will add to the background and education platform for this candidate. The portfolio can also be used as a tool to track the educational development of a candidate as he/she prepares for certification. The division wants to offer the fairest environment for certification candidates to achieve their goals. The most dramatic change the division has made to the certification system is the scoring of the Alpine Level II Exam. The format will shadow that of the Alpine Level III exam of a three day exam with three evaluators. These evaluators will spend a full day with each candidate to accurately assess the candidate’s ability to meet the National standards. The candidate must successfully pass two of three days to become Alpine Level II certified. Through this format, the candidate receives the most objective testing environment we can offer. This new Alpine Level II exam format also minimizes any subjectivity that may be present.

A NEW LOOK

The Central Board of Directors feels along with the support of the AECC that our new core offerings will give the member a better sense of their skill level and educational goals. The new calendar will be easier to read and have accurate descriptions. When choosing an event to attend, make sure that it will be something that you can implement at your home areas. It might also be something others on your staff can benefit from. Other divisions have used this philosophy over the past few years and it has met with great success. If you have a chance, go to the PSIA-E web site. You will find a ton of similarities between what they offer and the direction we are taking. The members of the Eastern division overwhelmingly approve and accept this education based format and are attending events in unprecedented numbers. We want to do the same for you.

Do's & Don'ts for the 2004/2005 Season
Well, the hills are still green, but many are dreaming of snow. There are several changes that members must take notice of when registering for events this upcoming season. Some of these are:

DON'T register for an ALPINE certification exam unless you have taken and passed your written exam. Written exam scores stay on your account as long as you remain a member in good standing. If you submit an application before you take your written exam, your application will be returned. Members can take the written exam, free of charge at any of the scheduled PSIA-C clinics. If you live in the Lansing, MI area, stop by the PSIA-C office M-F, 9AM - 4PM and we will administer the test to you.
DO take some time and review the *NEW* Alpine schedulefor this season. The courses have become more tailored to focus on the specific needs of members based on their teaching and skiing skill level.
DON'T register late for events. Some of our popular events fill up quickly. Please make an effort to register early. Some of those popular events are: Women's Group and the Mini Academy. Both of these clinics are led by current or former D-Team members. SIGN UP TODAY!

Dryland Clinics
Get fired up about the upcoming season by attending a dryland clinic.

Snowsports Educators Conference, Plymouth, MN, October 9, 2004. Click here for the flyer and application.
Professional Development Seminar, Alpine Valley, MI, October 16, 2004. Click here for the flyer and application.
Professional Development Seminar, East Troy, WI, October 16, 2004. Click here for the flyer and application.
Snowsports Educators Conference, Strongsville, OH, October 23, 2004. Click here for the flyer and application.

On Snow Clinics

Click here for the Alpine calendar with descriptions
Click here for the Snowboard calendar with descriptions
Click here for the Nordic calendar with descriptions
Click here for the Adaptive calendar with descriptions

Click here for the Education Event Application

What Study Manuals Do You Need?
These manuals are the required readings necessary to pass the written portion of your exam. National has many other resources that may be beneficial to your exam success. Order your study manuals from PSIA/AASI National today! Click here to be redirected to their website.

EXAM	STUDY MANUALS	NATIONAL PRODUCT NUMBER	COST
Alpine Levels 1, 2 & 3	Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors Alpine Technical Manual Basic Alpine Set (Includes Core Concepts & Alpine Technical Manual) PSIA Children's Instruction Manual	126 127 128 119	$24.50 $19.50 $39.50 $19.95
Snowboard Levels 1, 2 & 3	AASI Snowboard Manual Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors AASI Snowboard Movement Analysis Handbook	122 126 129	$19.95 $24.50 $14.50
Adaptive Levels 1 & 2	Adaptive Snowsports Instruction Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors Alpine Technical Manual Basic Alpine Set (Includes Core Concepts & Alpine Technical Manual)	131 126 127 128	$24.50 $24.50 $19.50 $39.50
Nordic Track Levels 1, 2 & 3 Telemark Levels 1, 2 & 3	ATS Nordic Handbook Nordic Skiing Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors	112 109 126	$13.95 $19.95 $24.50

Free Study Materials

The following guides are available on at the PSIA/AASI-C Website: (Click here)

The PSIA Alpine Level 1, 2, & 3 Study Guides (Reference Material Only)
The AASI-Central Snowboard Level 1, 2, & 3 Study Guides
Children's Accreditation Workbook (Click here for direct link)
*NEW* Adaptive Level 1 Exam Prep Workbook (Click here for direct link)
*NEW* Introductory Nordic Instructor Training Manual (Click here for direct link)

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!
There are a lot of exciting job postings online for the upcoming season. Looking for a change of pace? Many of our fellow divisions have some job offerings that we have included on our website. Check out the classified section of our website at http://www.psia-c.org/classifieds/index.htm As the season draws near, more will be posted.

Keep Customers Coming Back to You!
After someone has taken a lesson from you on the hill, how will they remember your name? A great way is through business cards! You can order business cards online and have them within 5 business days! You can get 250 cards for as little as $38! Excellent quality with raised ink! Click here to order your cards today!

Other PSIA/AASI-C Information

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