7
Support Our Team! Our Eastern Team has been hard at work preparing for the 2024 PSIA-AASI National Team selection. In addition to their passionate, full commitment to our industry, they are dedicated to honing their skills for the upcoming challenge. This looks like evening meetings practicing their presentation abilities, developing new content for webinars, and spending countless hours on the hill honing their craft. In addition to their skills development, they are also mapping their travel and accommodation to reach the tryout destination: Big Sky, Montana. It takes a village, and while we have some funds earmarked for this purpose, we are seeking additional resources for the eastern team. If you are able to assist, here are a few ways you can get involved: • Purchase a T-shirt from our T-Shirt Design Contest that just recently concluded (congratulations contest winner Kirsten Ford!). These will be available at the Snowsports Management Seminar and Pro Jam events in December. A portion of the proceeds will be added to the Eastern Team fund. • Donate travel points to cover a team member’s airfare. To make this type of gift, please reach out to our office at psia-e@psia-e.org or (518) 452-6095. What’s in it for you, our valued members? Our education staff is augmented by the knowledge shared at a national level. As the Eastern Region gains more national team members, our Education Staff are strengthened by new resources. This translates to a robust educational offering, with passionate, informed educators adding value to the already wide array of opportunities you see on our calendar of events. When our eastern team members are selected for the national team, we all win. I hope you’ll join us in supporting the eastern team in their endeavors for our shared benefit. <<
adaptive airtime How To Improve Your Value By Ed Meltzer Eastern Adaptive Coordinator, PSIA-E Adaptive Examiner Alpine Level III, Children’s Specialist 2
C
h i l d r e n’s Specialist 1 and 2 are arguably the best educational enhancements beyond traditional certification. People who attend these events return with rave reviews about their experiences. Additionally, snowsports directors see them as more valuable members of their snowsports schools. Why not adaptive Level I for people with visual impairment or a cognitive disability? You may not know it, but you have most likely taught people with a cognitive disability such as Autism. What did you do to have a successful lesson? You must have used your welldeveloped teaching and people skills to prioritize and adapt. So, let’s make it official! The Eastern Region (easternsnowpros.org/education/ adaptive/) and National (lms.thesnowpros.org/lms-courses) websites list awesome resources that help you prepare for an adaptive certification. Here you will find (among others) these awesome free general resources: • Course for New Instructors • Delivering the Beginner Experience – Alpine • Introduction to Working with Children You’ll also find these courses that are adaptive-specific: • Beginner Three-Track course • Beginner Four-Track course • Beginner Bi-Ski course • Beginner Mono-Ski course This is a great time to start learning even more about your craft. Members who have chosen adaptive as their primary discipline enjoy free digital access to a library of manuals or they can purchase printed manuals. • Adaptive Alpine Technical Manual • Adaptive Instruction: Diagnoses & Medication Classifications • Fundamental Mechanics of Alpine Skiing Across Adaptive Disciplines In addition, our Adaptive education staff are putting the final touches on our “Adaptive Alpine Assessment Guide”, which should be available well before winter.
The National Adaptive Performance Guides are now available on the Snow Pro national website: thesnowpros.org/ certification/national-certification-standards/. Spend some time volunteering at your local Adaptive snowsports program. Not only will you get valuable insight, your interest and involvement will be very valuable to their program. Like Children’s Specialist 1 and 2, you will need to have an alpine or snowboard Level I certification prior to attending an adaptive exam. This season, we offer many adaptivefocused workshops to help you improve your understanding of the subject matter. We have an adaptive Mini-Academy at Killington, VT on December 9-10 and an adaptive week during Pro Jam on December 11-15. Two workshops designed to attract broad based interest – “FUNdamentals in Teaching People With an Intellectual Diagnosis” and “All Lessons are Adaptive” – will be offered throughout the season. Our new Freddy’s Fridays events will include an adaptive component as well. Peruse all events on the Eastern Region event calendar: easternsnowpros.org/calendar/. If your personal goal is to add value to your local snow sports organization, consider this advice from our Eastern Region CEO PSIA-AASI Kathy Brennan: “In my opinion, an instructor on your roster with their discipline specific Level I or II, Children’s Specialist 1, and the adaptive LI VI/Cog is absolute gold! The quality, depth and breadth of this instructor’s ability to engage and educate the vast majority of your guests will be outstanding.” Having an adaptive certification in your resume will expand your ability to connect with a wider variety of guests. Therefore, I hope you consider exploring adaptive programs this winter. <<
